Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
504. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to review a case and provide an update on a family’s application (details supplied); if Bus Éireann can outline whether places are available on the two buses which go past the family home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48054/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 was 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 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 133,000 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.
The purpose of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote i.e. 4.8 kilometres (kms) or more from their nearest education centre, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, under the terms of the scheme, may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year, is not available on public scheduled services and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s post primary school education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets.
A seat on a service will not be guaranteed in the event that parents/guardians of children submit late applications or make late payments after the deadline date.
Bus Éireann has advised that seats have become available on the service referred to by the Deputy, however, Bus Éireann also advise that they have not yet received payment/medical card details for the children referred. The family should liaise with Bus Éireann with regard to making payment/input of medical card details on their on-line account.
