Bernard Durkan
Ceist:971. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be facilitated in the case of children (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43706/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 September 2022
Ceisteanna (971)
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 are processing applications and issuing tickets as soon as extra buses and drivers are sourced and become available to provide transport for the higher numbers qualifying for the service.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are eligible for transport as they are attending their nearest school. There are seats available on an existing mainstream school transport service and tickets have been issued to these pupils, tickets should arrive to their home address in the coming days.