Pa Daly
Ceist:856. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education if she will approve a remote area grant for a person (details supplied). [42673/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 September 2022
Ceisteanna (856)
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, are 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.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application process by the 29th April 2022 and registered for a ticket by the 29th July 2022 will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Bus Éireann has advised that an application for school transport for the pupil referred to by the Deputy to attend the above referenced school was a late application which was received on 31st May 2022.
Applications received after the deadline date may not secure a seat on a service and cannot be considered for a remote area grant 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.