Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
322. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if a school transport service could be provided on a route (details supplied) considering the number of students currently travelling the route to attend their second nearest secondary school or if these students could avail on school transport on the scheduled service at a reduced fare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24823/23]
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.
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.
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.
Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2023/2024 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.
The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and is not available on public scheduled services.
Families who wish to discuss specific queries can contact officials in the School Transport Section of my Department at: school_transport@education.gov.ie where they will be happy to assist them.
