Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
298. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the case of a child (details supplied) who requires bus transport to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18903/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €289m in 2021.
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.
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In general children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance criteria and are attending their nearest post primary school/post primary centre.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Bus Éireann has advised that while the pupil referred to by the Deputy is attending a school that is not their nearest school and therefore does not meet the eligibility requirements, the pupil has been successful in obtaining a concessionary ticket and has commenced on the Bus Éireann School Transport service on 5 April 2022.
