Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
945. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of representations that she has received from Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas in the month of August, specifically related to school transport; and the number of representations resolved in tabular form. [43600/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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.
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.
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.
School Transport 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 School Transport Section is receiving a large volume of queries from families and from Members of the Oireachtas. These queries are varied and often complex in nature and require additional information to be sought from Bus Éireann.
Our records indicate that over 250 Representations have been received from Members of the Oireachtas for the attention of School Transport Section in August. Referrals have been made to Bus Éireann where a more detailed report is needed in order to resolve the query. A significant number of replies have issued or will issue in the coming days. School Transport Section are continuing to reply to these representations.
