Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
115. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the average number of buses in the Bus Éireann school transport fleet for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34520/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education the average number of buses in the Bus Éireann school transport fleet for Kildare, specifically, for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34521/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Education for an update from her Department on the state of plans for the recruitment and/or deployment of sufficient drivers for school-bus transport and the guaranteed provision of sufficient vehicles for same, State-wide and in Kildare in particular; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34522/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 116 and 117 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were 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 an increase of 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.
In addition, school transport scheme services have been provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
The mainstream School Transport Scheme is intended to cater for children providing school transport from a pick up point to school and from school to a pick up point during normal school opening and closing times.
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.
Bus Éireann plans and manages the countrywide network on behalf of the Department to ensure that services are provided in line with the specific requirements of the Department. While Bus Éireann operate a small number of routes directly, the majority of school transport routes are operated by private contractors. Bus Éireann is responsible for contracting private operators in line with procurement legislation for school transport routes nationwide.
Bus Éireann is also responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department. New school transport routes are established on a demand-led basis, subject to eligibility requirements. 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, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
The closing date for new applications for the 2023/2024 school year was Friday 28th April 2023. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2023/2024 school year was Friday 9th June 2023.
Bus Éireann are currently processing applications, arranging transport and assessing all applications to determine whether they are eligible or concessionary and to include Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) as soon as possible for the 2023/24 school year. Bus Éireann have begun to issue eligible tickets from early July.
Bus Éireann are now reviewing all school transport services over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
Pending completion of the School Transport review, there will be no removal or downsizing of buses/routes for the 2023/2024 school year.
The information required by the Deputy in relation to Bus Éireann and private contractor transport fleet is not readily available at present, Bus Éireann is currently compiling this detail and department officials will forward the information to the Deputy directly as soon as it becomes available.
