School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022

Tuesday, 18 October 2022

Ceisteanna (459)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

459. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when the previously promised school transport tickets are likely to issue to the children of a person (details supplied) in respect of whom one ticket was issued for three children, while subsequently informed by the relevant section that they would not receive any tickets, and was insulted when they tried to explain that there were several available seats on the bus in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51620/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education

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.

The Deputy has been requested to provide further information in order to provide an informative response on the matter raised. Once received, I will ask Bus Éireann to provide a report and a response will issue directly.