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 149,000 children, including more than 18,000 children and young people with special educational needs, are transported daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. There has been an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the 2022-23 school year compared to the 2021-22 school year. In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for more than 5,200 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine. The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9 million.

The Department's school transport scheme is an important service. Its purpose, having regard to available resources, is to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remotely from their nearest schools.

As the Deputy indicated, a review of the scheme is under way.  The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme and its broader effectiveness and sustainability and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately. Significant consultation has been undertaken as part of the review.  A public survey was administered for parents and guardians, for students who use the service and, probably more importantly, for those who do not use the service but who would like to.  A broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Departments were consulted.

Phase 1 of the review examined the impact of eligibility criteria.  That report was completed in 2021.  Following consideration of this phase 1 report, the provision of temporary alleviation measures for the 2021-22 school year was approved for transport for post-primary students who were otherwise eligible for school transport but who were attending their second nearest school.  These measures have been continued for the 2022-23 school year and will continue for the 2023-24 school year. These measures mean that transport will be provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and who are attending their second nearest school, who applied for school transport by 28 April 2023 and who pay for a ticket or enter medical card details by 9 June 2023, which is the cut-off date.

Phase 2 of the review was completed late last year. Phase 3 will be completed imminently. This final report will include recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s school transport scheme. Once approved by Government, it is planned that the review will be published.

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