Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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298. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that school bus route (details supplied) has been cancelled until further notice; when she expects this service to be returned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52574/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. As part of the management of the scheme, Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. There are currently in the region of 7,000 vehicles operating on the scheme.

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.

Over 134,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year. 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.

Bus Éireann has advised that the service referred to by the Deputy is currently in the procurement process. Bus Éireann’s local office are in the process of sourcing a suitable contractor/driver. Once a suitable contractor/driver is sourced transport will commence, families have been informed in this regard.

Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre 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 usually 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

Families can also submit queries via the ‘contact form’ which can be found on our website (buseireann.ie/schooltransport)

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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299. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 21 November 2023, the reason this service was suspended in September; if Bus Éireann will provide an update directly to families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52575/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Over 134,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year. 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.

Bus Éireann has advised that the service referred to by the Deputy ceased on 18/10/2023 due to the contractor not having a driver available to operate the service. Bus Eireann has further advised that the service is currently in the procurement process and once a suitable contractor/driver is sourced transport will commence. Regular updates are being provided to the families concerned.