Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
703. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if he will consider introducing an annual schedule of grants and their pay-outs in order to provide schools with more clarity in an often-confusing process that is, the bus escort grant being paid in July, despite schools paying for buses for months in advance of this date. [13162/23]
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 €338.9m.
There is a facility within the Special Needs Transport Scheme for the appointment of a School Bus Escort where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such to require the support of an escort. The appointment of the Bus Escort, where required, is sanctioned by the Department of Education and Skills. The school management authority employs the Bus Escort and the terms and conditions of employment are a matter for the school authority as the employer.
The Department of Education provide funding in advance of the school year to the school’s Management Authority for the employment of a school bus escort.
