School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Ceisteanna (1051)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

1051. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the school transport arrangements for affected children from Rathcoffey, County Kildare to a campus (details supplied) given that the children affected live more than 4.8 kilometres from any secondary school and given that it is accepted practice that a national school is a feeder school for second level education in Maynooth; her plans to address this issue given the worry being caused to families involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19911/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.

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 has advised that pupils who reside in Rathcoffey village and are attending Maynooth Post Primary Centre are generally not eligible for transport as they reside closer to Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane, Co. Kildare.

However, pupils who reside in Rathcoffey village and are attending Gaelcholáiste Mhaigh Nuad, Maynooth, Co. Kildare (All Irish) and Maynooth Community College, Co. Kildare (Aonad) may be eligible for transport as they are attending their nearest All Irish school.