Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2019
130. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the options available to participate in the school transport scheme for a pupil who becomes homeless during the school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42822/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2018/2019 school year over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €200m in 2018.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. Children are generally eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
The terms of the scheme are equitable and on a national basis.
