Michael Ring
Ceist:369. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if school transport can be provided to siblings (details supplied) attending a gaelscoil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40462/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 20 September 2023
Ceisteanna (369)
Freagraí scríofa
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.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
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 and payment process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation for the 2023/2024 school year. The 2023/2024 closing date for applications and payments was 28th April 2023 and 9th June 2023 respectively.
Bus Éireann have advised that the family, to whom the Deputy refers, are eligible for school transport. However the family made a late payment on 31st August 2023 and the service that could accommodate the family is now operating to capacity with no seats available.