Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022
410. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education if a school bus ticket will be provided for a student (details supplied) who is currently paying for a taxi every day to attend school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57916/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme, however an application was not submitted by the closing date 29 April and the family did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29 July. Bus Éireann has advised all existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
