Claire Kerrane
Ceist:262. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education when outstanding reps for school transport queries (details supplied) will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45244/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 October 2023
Ceisteanna (262)
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 134,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Contact details for Bus Éireann’s School Transport offices can be found by clicking the following link: Contact your local School Transport Office - Bus Éireann - View Ireland Bus and Coach Timetables & Buy Tickets (buseireann.ie)
Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre and a ‘contact form’ on www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport to assist families specifically with school transport queries. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.
Bus Éireann also have a dedicated email address for public representatives to contact them with any queries: representatives@buseireann.ie.
Bus Eireann has advised that the local office are currently assessing the queries referred to by the Deputy and responses will be issued as soon as possible. Bus Éireann endeavours to answer queries in a timely manner.