Michael Ring
Ceist:954. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if school transport will be provided for a pupil (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43652/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 September 2022
Ceisteanna (954)
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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport under the terms of the school transport scheme however, they were successful in obtaining a seat on a school transport service. I am pleased to advise that the child referred was issued a ticket on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year.