Niall Collins
Ceist:839. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42438/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 September 2022
Ceisteanna (839)
Freagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
Bus Éireann has advised that while the family referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the school transport scheme, they were successful in obtaining seats on a school transport service. I am pleased to advise that tickets were issued to the family in question to travel on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year.