Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
402. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education if her Department is considering auditing the number of times that school transport tickets are used by the children issued with them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53300/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current 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. The cost in 2021 was over €289m.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, and rules have regard to ethos and language.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme and how it currently operates, its broader effectiveness and sustainability and that it adequately supports the provision of services to students and their families.
The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. The review of the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes will examine each element of the schemes and include eligibility criteria, trends, costs, cost drivers, and overall effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the schemes. Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the next phase of the review which is currently underway. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
In addition, to the ongoing School Transport review, Bus Éireann is commencing a pilot E-Ticketing project. Based on the outcome of this pilot project, it is intended that a tender competition for national roll-out of eTicketing on all school transport scheme services will follow. This will provide my Department and Bus Éireann with the type of information referred to by the Deputy.
