Michael Ring
Ceist:684. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when a new bus route will be approved for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1933/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 17 January 2024
Ceisteanna (684)
Freagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 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.
Bus Éireann has advised that a total of ten applications have been received from families attending the school referred to by the Deputy. However the pupils are not eligible for school transport as they are not attending their nearest school.
In cases where families have applied to attend their nearest school with regard to ethos and language and have been advised by the school authorities that it is full, the Department will consider if the pupil(s) is eligible to the next nearest school.
While the closest school(s) may be full to capacity at present, each family must supply the documents mentioned below, to School Transport Section of my Department.
• an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school, and
• a letter from the school authorities confirming that the school was full at time of enrolment