Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
384. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education the number of Bus Éireann buses servicing a school run (details supplied); the number of pickups along the route; and when those who do not have a service will be able to avail of one. [23503/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
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 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.
Bus Éireann have confirmed that there are currently 6 school transport services with a total of 11 pick-up-points which operate to this school from the areas referred to by the Deputy.
Bus Éireann have further confirmed that all eligible pupils who applied and paid on time have been issued with school transport tickets.
