Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
270. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if a late application for a post-primary-school-transport grant will be accepted from a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25406/22]
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 School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
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 eligible for school transport but for whom no service is available may be offered the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The Remote Area Grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.
The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2022/2023 School Year was 29th April 2022.
Applications for school transport for the 2022/2023 school year can still be made through the Bus Éireann school transport portal after this date but will be treated as a late application.
Bus Éireann has advised that an application for school transport for the family referred to by the Deputy was received on the 5th May 2022 and as such is considered a late application and therefore a Remote Area Grant cannot be considered for the current school year. Should the circumstances remain the same and there is no service in place for the 2023/24 school year, the family may be considered for a remote area grant from the commencement of the 2023/24 school year.
