Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The school transport scheme is a significant operation, managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, more than 147,900 children, including more than 18,000 children and young people with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for more than 3,800 children and young people who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine. The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2 million.

A review of the school transport scheme has been commenced. The review was conducted with a view to examining the current scheme with regard to its broader effectiveness and sustainability and to ensuring that it serves students and their families. Significant consultation has been undertaken as part of this review. A public survey was administered for parents, guardians and students who use the service and, equally as important, for those who do not use the service but wish to have access to it. A broad array of stakeholders, including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Departments were consulted as part of the review.

Phase 1 of the review is complete. It examined the impact of eligibility criteria on mainstream pupils who were eligible for transport to their nearest school but were attending their next nearest school.

Following consideration of this report for the 2021-22 school year, the provision of temporary alleviation measures was approved for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport, but were attending their second-nearest school and had applied and paid on time. These measures have been continued for the 2022-23 school year, pending completion of the review. They mean transport is provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second-nearest school; applied for school transport by 29 April 2022 and registered for a ticket by 29 July 2022.

Phase 2 of the review has progressed significantly and is being completed in tandem with phase 3, which has commenced.

While work on the review was impacted somewhat by the current conflict in Ukraine, and by the increased demand for the scheme in summer 2022 due to the waiving of fees, my officials are working to complete phase 3 of the review within the coming weeks with recommendations on the future operation of the scheme. Once approved by Government, it is planned that the review will be published.

Planning for the operation of the scheme for the 2023-24 year is expected to be completed shortly-----

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