Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
424. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Oideachais cén fáth nach dtugtar aitheantas do leanúnachas oidis trí Ghaeilge maidir le hiarratais ó dhaltaí a bhfuil an Ghaelscolaíocht críochnaithe acu agus atá ag lorg córas iompair scoile chuig an nGaelcholáiste is gaire, seachas chuig an meánscoil is gaire, dá dtithe. [12012/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra425. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Oideachais cad é an fáth nach bhfuil córas iompar scoile ar fáil do dhaltaí atá ag iarraidh freastail ar an Gaelcholáiste is giorradh dófa seachas an meánscoil is giorra, ach go h-áirithe i gcás ceantracha Gaeltachta, súid atá tar éis oideachas tré Ghaeilge a bheith aca san mbunscoil. [12013/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra429. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Oideachais ccén fáth nach dtugtar aitheantas leanúnach d’oideachas trí Ghaeilge nuair a dhéanann iardhaltaí Gaelscoile iarratais agus iad ag lorg córas iompair scoile chuig an nGaelcholáiste is gaire dá dteach seachas chuig an meánscoil is gaire dá dteach. [12022/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra430. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Oideachais cén fáth nach bhfuil córas iompair scoile ar fáil do dhaltaí atá ag iarraidh freastail ar an nGaelcholáiste is gaire dóibh, seachas ar an meánscoil is gaire, go háirithe i gcás limistéir Ghaeltachta, agus ina gcás siúd a fuair oideachas trí Ghaeilge sa bhunscoil. [12023/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 424, 425, 429 and 430 together.
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.
With regard to ethos, the Department of Education classifies schools as being one of the following - of religious denomination, interdenominational or multi-denominational.
The post-primary school transport scheme supports the transport to and from school of children who live more than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post-primary education centre/school. It is subject to the following exceptions:
• children who choose to attend their nearest minority religious denominational school due to religious ethos may be eligible for school transport to that school, even if it is not their nearest school
• children who choose to attend their nearest all-Irish school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not their nearest school
• children who choose to attend their nearest all-English school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not their nearest school.
