Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
714. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific criteria which applies when assessing a child's eligibility for school bus transport; the way in which the criteria has changed since 1995; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20743/20]
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 2019/2020 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.
Children are eligible for transport where they meet the requisite distance criteria (3.2km at primary and 4.8km at post-primary) and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Changes to the school transport scheme (primary and post primary) were announced in Budget 2011, derived from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme. The changes encompassed a number of elements such as national application of the distance rule of 3.2 kilometres at primary level, the cessation of the Closed/Central School Rule at primary level, the cessation of catchment boundary area to determine eligibility at post primary level, the increase from seven to 10 eligible pupils residing in a distinct locality to retain or establish a school transport service and the introduction of charges at primary level.
