Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills when free school transport facilities will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4946/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department.
The purpose of my Department's 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.
In the current school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, are 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 €219m in 2019.
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that an application for transport was received from the family in question for the 2019/20 school year, however payment was not received. Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is not attending their nearest post primary centre and is therefore not eligible for school transport.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.
The family is advised to liaise with their local Bus Éireann office should they wish to enquire about the availability of transport on a concessionary basis for the 2020/2021 school year.
The terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
