Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020
572. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education the number of tickets issued under the school transport scheme at 31 August in each of the years 2018 to 2020 by primary, post primary and the subcategories of eligible, eligible exemption from charges and concessionary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22024/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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.
Below is a breakdown of school bus tickets issued under the school transport scheme as at 31st August 2018, 2019 and 2020 broken down into the requested categories.
Tickets issued as at 31st August 2018/19/20
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
|
Primary Eligible |
16667 |
16353 |
15155 |
|
Primary Eligible Medical Card |
6422 |
5880 |
5103 |
|
Primary Concessionary |
13250 |
14363 |
13168 |
|
Post Primary Eligible |
28039 |
30556 |
29685 |
|
Post Primary Eligible Medical Card |
21432 |
21228 |
20292 |
|
Post Primary Concessionary |
13687 |
14544 |
13158 |
Figures for 2020 may be subject to change as Bus Éireann continues to allocate tickets where capacity may exist.
