Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
254. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if a school transport pick-up point can be changed to facilitate nine children on a particular road in County Mayo (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17301/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 traveling 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.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.
Where practicable, and subject to considerations of cost and logistics, routes are planned to avoid an eligible child having to travel more than 2.4 kms to or from a pick-up/set down point. Routes are planned on the basis of the locations of children who are eligible for school transport only.
Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that children are brought safely to and collected safely from Bus Éireann designated pick up and set down points. Home pick-up is not a feature of the School Transport Scheme.
Bus Éireann have advised that the family referred to by the Deputy, are eligible for school transport and reside 9.7kms from home to school, and 1.5kms from the route of an existing school transport service. They have submitted applications and payment for the 2024/2025 school year.
The family will be offered transport within the guidelines of the School Transport Scheme for the 2024/2025 school year.
