Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
227. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Education the expected timeframe for changes to the school transport system to be introduced following the review of the system that is currently underway; if she will consider an entitlement to attend the nearest non-denominational school to be of equal importance to an entitlement to attend the nearest minority religion school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36823/22]
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.
As previously outlined to the Deputy, in relation to school transport provision, supports are provided to children with regard to the choice of schools in relation to ethos and language.
At Primary level, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest school, having regard to ethos and language.
At Post Primary level, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest education centre/school, subject to limited exceptions. The scheme has regard to ethos and language in that exceptions to eligibility for the scheme are considered in the case of minority religions and the Irish language. The scheme at Post Primary level provides transport for children of minority religion for whom there is less choice of school given the dispersed nature of these schools and also facilitates the viability of those minority religion schools.
The review of the School Transport Scheme is currently underway and is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme and how it currently operates, its broader effectiveness and sustainability and that it adequately supports the provision of services to students and their families.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the next phase of the review which is currently underway. The Technical Working Group has undertaken extensive consultation over the last number of months; including running a public survey for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. These engagements have yielded extensive data for consideration. The Group has also consulted with a broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments.
The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
