Martin Browne
Ceist:94. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education the status of a school bus application for two pupils (details supplied). [50568/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 12 October 2022
Ceisteanna (94)
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 pupils referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme, did not submit an application before the closing date and have not completed the ticket registration process. Bus Éireann has also advised there is currently available capacity on an existing service that may accommodate the pupils. The local Bus Éireann office will liaise directly with the family regarding submitting a ticket request in order to seek concessionary tickets.