James Browne
Ceist:396. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Education the status of the school transport application in the name of a student (details supplied); and a ticket will be issued in due course. [53264/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool Transport
Ceisteanna (396)
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.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using a random selection process.
Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year pending completion of the review of the School Transport Scheme. This will mean that transport arrangements will continue to be provided for a number of post-primary students who are attending their second nearest school, who have applied and registered on time and who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme but was unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year as they did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29 July 2022. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
Any application completed after this date is a ‘late application’ and therefore, many school transport services are already operating at full capacity. Late applications will only be assessed after all “on time” applications have been processed and there can be no guarantee of places for late applicants.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (397)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:397. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education the number of children in County Tipperary that have qualified under the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs; the number of those children that have yet to be provided with transport; and the number of those applicants that have received the special transport grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53278/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School 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, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
The Department is very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for children with special educational needs and this is reflected in the approach that is taken in the provision of transport services.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Applications for SEN transport are received on a year-round basis. Where a new service is sanctioned, this means a procurement / vetting process is required while in many instances the school is also sanctioned to employ a transport escort, and this necessarily takes time to put in place. By accepting applications year-round, the Department can ensure that children with special educational needs receive the transport they require.
To ensure the efficient delivery of services for children on Special Educations Needs school transport, Bus Éireann assesses each application to assess the options available. Where children can be facilitated on an existing service, applications are processed immediately, and arrangements put in place with families involved.
Where a new service has to be established there is a lead in period for this process that includes issues such as:
- route design and procurement including contract award.
- in many instances a School Bus Escort is required for the child’s safe transport to school and it can take time for the school to source a suitable person which can impact the start date.
In certain circumstances, an application for a Special Transport Grant can be made by the family to assist with the cost of providing private transport. This grant is paid retrospectively once the child has commenced on the service.
The table below details the number of new SEN applications received for the 2022/23 School year in county Tipperary to date:
|
SEN Applications for County Tipperary |
Number of Pupils |
|
Currently availing of SEN transport |
163 |
|
Current applications with Bus Eireann (transport has not commenced) |
6 |
|
In receipt of Special Transport Grant |
1 |
|
Applications where a grant has been offered and awaiting acceptance of same. |
10 |
|
Total |
180 |
School Transport
Ceisteanna (398)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:398. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education if the special transport grant that has yet been provided to a person (details supplied); the length of time his Department anticipate that this person will have to wait for the SEN transport service to begin operating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53279/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School 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, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and sanction has been given for the service. Bus Éireann have advised they are currently arranging transport for this pupil and Bus Éireann will liaise with the family directly with regard to this matter.
Both my Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore apply for the Special Transport Grant which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. Families should contact School Transport Section at: school_transport@education.gov.ie for more information on this grant.
Transport Policy
Ceisteanna (399)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:399. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education if the special transport grant has been provided to a person (details supplied); the length of time that that they will have to wait for the SEN transport service to begin operating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53280/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School 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, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and a sanction has been sent by School Transport Section of my Department to Bus Éireann for the service for the pupil. Bus Éireann has advised they will liaise with the parents/guardians directly with regard to this matter.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore apply for the Special Transport Grant which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until the service is finalised. Parents/guardians can contact School Transport Section at: school_transport@education.gov.ie for more information on this grant.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (400)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:400. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education the action that is being taken to address the current delays in the provision of SEN school transport in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53281/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School 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, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
The Department is very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for children with special educational needs and this is reflected in the approach that is taken in the provision of transport services. The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education and Skills on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Where there is no service in place, a new service is sanctioned, this means a procurement / vetting process is required while in many instances the school is also sanctioned to employ a transport escort, and this necessarily takes time to put in place. By accepting applications year-round, the Department can ensure that children with special educational needs receive the transport they require.
To ensure the efficient delivery of services for children on Special Educations Needs school transport, Bus Éireann assesses each application to assess the options available. Where children can be facilitated on an existing service, applications are processed immediately, and arrangements put in place with families involved.
In circumstances where there is no existing suitable service available to meet a child's needs, my department may offer a Special Transport Grant (STG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements until a suitable service becomes available.
Bus Éireann communicate with families where transport has been sanctioned, if there are delays in establishing a service, they will advise them as such and advise that they can apply for a Special Transport Grant to the Department of Education. The grant will be payable retrospectively for the period from the start of the school year to the time the service is established.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (401)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:401. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the number of outstanding school transport applications for the 2022-2023 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53299/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
School Transport 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.
To date over 126,000 tickets have issued to children travelling on mainstream School Transport Scheme services, of which over 88,800 are tickets issued to eligible pupils. Numbers are still being finalised for the 2022/23 school as applications continue to be processed.
All children who are eligible and who completed the application and registration process on time will be accommodated in the 2022 school year. In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary, applicants and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat on when all eligible children have been catered for.
Bus Éireann will continue to process applications and to issue tickets as soon as extra buses and drivers are sourced and become available to provide transport for the higher numbers qualifying for the service. Where additional services may need to be put in place for eligible children, any capacity on these services will be offered to concessionary applicants.
Following discussions with Minister McGrath and officials in DPER as part of the budgetary process some additional funding has been approved for the scheme which will allow officials in consultation with Bus Éireann to consider and evaluate where temporary additional capacity may be available.
The initial focus will be where families applied on time and who previously held concessionary tickets, to alleviate the impact of the increased demands on the scheme for those families. However, it is important to stress that this is subject to capacity considerations. Constraints in sourcing vehicles and drivers in certain areas of the country may also mean that it may take a number of weeks to explore solutions for additional capacity.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (402)
Alan Farrell
Ceist: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 fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School 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.
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (403)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:403. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the planning application by a school (details supplied) in north County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53301/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application for planning permission was submitted to the local authority on March 4th 2022 for the development of a new primary school on the site referred to by the Deputy. My Department received notification that the planning permission application had been refused by the local authority on the 27th April 2022.
My Department has been in communication with the local authority in preparation for a pre-planning meeting with a view to the submission of a further planning application for the school project on the site as early as possible. My Department has also made a submission to the draft Fingal Development Plan 2023-2029 in relation to the re-zoning of the site in question.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (404)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:404. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will be reviewed for re-mapping for school transport given that it is located in Malahide, County Dublin and not Swords, County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53302/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 have confirmed that the address for the above referenced school is correct on their system.
However, they have advised that the townsland of Swords was referenced as the schools townsland on their system which may have led to confusion for families when applying. This townsland has now been changed to Kinsealy on the Bus Éireann system.
School Patronage
Ceisteanna (405)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:405. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education the role that her Department plays in the funding and management of Sudbury schools which are located around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53303/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The primary schools referred to by the Deputy are private fee charging primary schools. Private fee charging primary schools are not recognised schools under the Education Act and my Department has no role in their funding or management.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (406)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:406. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53304/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using a random selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil(s) referred to by the Deputy in this case are not eligible for transport as they are attending their fifth nearest primary school. The existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available at present.
Applications for the pupil(s) referred to by the Deputy were received in September and October 2022 for the 2022/23 school year.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (407)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:407. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education the number of children who are still without school bus transport. [53320/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
School Transport 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.
To date over 126,000 tickets have issued to children travelling on mainstream School Transport Scheme services, of which over 88,800 are tickets issued to eligible pupils. Numbers are still being finalised for the 2022/23 school as applications continue to be processed.
All children who are eligible and who completed the application and registration process on time will be accommodated in the 2022 school year. In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary, applicants and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat on when all eligible children have been catered for.
Bus Éireann will continue to process applications and to issue tickets as soon as extra buses and drivers are sourced and become available to provide transport for the higher numbers qualifying for the service. Where additional services may need to be put in place for eligible children, any capacity on these services will be offered to concessionary applicants.
Following discussions with Minister McGrath and officials in DPER as part of the budgetary process some additional funding has been approved for the scheme which will allow officials in consultation with Bus Éireann to consider and evaluate where temporary additional capacity may be available.
The initial focus will be where families applied on time and who previously held concessionary tickets, to alleviate the impact of the increased demands on the scheme for those families. However, it is important to stress that this is subject to capacity considerations. Constraints in sourcing vehicles and drivers in certain areas of the country may also mean that it may take a number of weeks to explore solutions for additional capacity.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (408)
Robert Troy
Ceist:408. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will give favourable consideration to an application by Longford Westmeath ETB for a new HQ to be located at Columb Barrack, Mullingar. [53334/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The ETB referred to by the Deputy has recently submitted a proposal to my Department in relation to a new head office.
This proposal is currently being reviewed within my Department and further contact will be made with the ETB in relation to same in due course.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (409)
Robert Troy
Ceist:409. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if a request for a school bus ticket can be re-assessed for a family (details supplied). [53362/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year pending completion of the review of the School Transport Scheme. This will mean that transport arrangements will continue to be provided for a number of post-primary students who are attending their second nearest school, who have applied and registered on time and who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school. Families who normally would pay an annual ticket charge will not be charged a fee for their school bus ticket for the 2022/23 school
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil(s) referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for transport as they do not meet the distance criteria as set out in the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, residing 2.9 km from home to Moate Community School, Co. Westmeath, their nearest school and school of attendance.
Bus Éireann has also advised that the family submitted a late application. However, Bus Éireann is currently assessing the existing school transport service to ascertain if it can accommodate the pupils and will be in direct contact with the family in this regard.
School Accommodation
Ceisteanna (410)
Niall Collins
Ceist:410. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in respect of proposals for an additional accommodation request from a school (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the need for such a development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53373/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme, from the school in question.
This application is under assessment by my officials and a decision will issue to the school authorities directly upon completion of the assessment process.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (411)
Michael McNamara
Ceist:411. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if she will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53437/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year pending completion of the review of the School Transport Scheme. This will mean that transport arrangements will continue to be provided for a number of post-primary students who are attending their second nearest school, who have applied and registered on time and who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school. Families who normally would pay an annual ticket charge will not be charged a fee for their school bus ticket for the 2022/23 school year.
Bus Eireann has advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are attending their second nearest Post Primary Centre. The existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available at present.
However, Bus Eireann are in the process of looking at a transport solution for the pupils referred. Bus Eireann will contact the family directly following the completion of this process.
State Examinations
Ceisteanna (412)
John Paul Phelan
Ceist:412. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay by the State Examinations Commission in processing appeals submitted by Leaving Certificate students (details supplied) given that students are dependent upon the outcome of appeals in order to accept college places and the delay in processing appeals has resulted in students losing out on many weeks of college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53456/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the state examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (413)
Michael McNamara
Ceist:413. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if a school bus service route (details supplied) in County Clare which was cancelled without notice will be reinstated as a matter of urgency given that it affects approximately 50 students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53458/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí 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 due to unforeseen circumstances, the route mentioned by the Deputy was unable to operate for a number of days. I am pleased to advise that Bus Éireann have sourced an alternative contractor to operate this route. The service has resumed operation on the 24th of October 2022 and all families were notified prior to the resumption of the service.
School Transport
Ceisteanna (414)
Peter Burke
Ceist:414. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if her Department will consider a review of the secondary school transport route in the area from Coralstown, County Westmeath serving a school (details supplied) to take account of significant additional homes which now qualify for the school transport scheme, but that are a considerable distance from the nearest pick-up point; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53476/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
School 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, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
All school transport services are reviewed over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
Bus Eireann has advised that generally pupil(s) residing in the area referred to by the Deputy and attending the school referred are not eligible for transport as they reside nearer to an existing school. There is currently no mainstream school transport service available from the area referred to the school referred.
School Patronage
Ceisteanna (415)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:415. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if she will address the need for a non-denominational, coeducational secondary school for the Killester, Raheny and Clontarf school catchment in which all seven existing secondary schools have a religious ethos; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53494/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that new schools are established by my Department on the basis of identified demographic demand in an area, and only after consideration of the capacity of existing schools to absorb the expected school place demand.
In order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a Geographical Information System, using data from a range of sources, including Child Benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
A patronage process is run after it has been decided, based on demographic analysis, that a new school is required. The New Schools Establishment Group (NSEG) is an external independent advisory group which was set up in 2011 to advise the Minister on the patronage of new schools. The patronage process is open to all patron bodies and prospective patrons.
An Online Patronage Process System (OPPS) provides objective information to parents in the relevant school planning areas to assist them in making an informed choice about their preferred model of patronage and language of instruction for the new school. A prospective patron can choose the school(s) it wishes to apply for and complete an application form in that regard for each school, for submission to my Department. The Department provides details on the OPPS of the school(s) and the list of applicant patrons which have applied for patronage of the school(s). Parents access the OPPS website, which allows them to access the appropriate survey for their area, to input the details of the eligible child(ren) and to select their preferred patron and language of instruction (where applicable). Parental preferences from parents of children who reside in the school planning areas concerned, together with the extent of diversity currently available in these areas, are key to decisions in relation to the outcome of the process.
Following their consideration of my Department’s assessment reports, the NSEG submits a report with recommendations to me for consideration and final decision. The assessment reports and the NSEG recommendations for all such patronage processes are made available on my Department's website.
The requirement for additional school places is kept under on-going review. Additionally, my Department will continue to liaise with Dublin City Council in respect of its review of the Dublin City Development Plan with a view to identifying any potential long-term school accommodation requirements including the areas referenced.