Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
542. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to extend the school transport deadline for payments for the new 2020-21 school term in view of the fact that parents are being asked for full payment by the end of July 2020 to secure bus seats for their children when there is much uncertainty regarding the new school year and format; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18981/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.
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 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 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 €219m in 2019.
The option to make payment for transport for the 2020/2021 school year is now available with a closing date for payment on the 31stJuly 2020. Parents also have the option of spreading the amount due over two payments payable in July and December. Families wishing to avail of transport for the 2020/2021 year are advised to make payment by this date. There are no plans to extend the deadline date of 31st July 2020.
