Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
531. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if school transport can be provided to four children from the same household (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27584/23]
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 149,000 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.
There has been an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and 38% increase in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the current 2022/23 school year compared to tickets issued in the 2021/22 school year.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Bus Éireann have confirmed that the family in question are eligible for school transport and received tickets for the 2022/23 school year. They have applied and made payment for the 2023/24 school year.
Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Where practicable, and subject to considerations of cost and logistics, routes are planned to avoid an eligible child having to travel more than 2.4 kms to or from a pick-up/set down point or to have travel and waiting times in excess of 1.5 hours per day. Routes are planned on the basis of the locations of children who are eligible for school transport only.
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that children are brought safely to and collected safely from Bus Éireann designated pick up and set down points.
Bus Éireann have advised that the family to whom the Deputy refers, reside 400 metres from the route of an existing school transport service on which transport has been offered.
This family are currently being offered transport within the guidelines of the school transport scheme
