Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 February 2023
168. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education if she will outline the factors taken into consideration when the school transport services to a school (details supplied) were decided upon, in view of the Government commitment to enabling education in Gaeltacht schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6265/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
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, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
For the purposes of school transport provision, language relates to the Irish or English language. In practice this means that children who choose to attend their nearest all-Irish school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not their nearest school, children who choose to attend their nearest all-English school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not 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.
Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should apply before the closing date to Bus Éireann on their website at www.buseireann.ie
The closing date for school transport applications for the 2022/23 School Year was Friday, 29th April 2022
Families could still apply for school transport following this date, but if applications were late, a place on a service could not be guaranteed as many local services may be already operating to capacity.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are now all accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Temporary alleviation measures were continued for the current 2022/23 school year, pending completion of the School Transport Review. This means that transport will be 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 29 April 2022 and registered for a ticket by the 29 July 2022.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, are 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 an agreed selection process.
Families can contact officials in School Transport Section directly at: school_transport@education.gov.ie if they have any specific queries.
