Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Before I address the specific issues raised, it is important to provide an outline of the extent of the school transport scheme. It is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 149,000 young people, including 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools. There has been a significant increase in the number of those availing of the system, including a 21% increase in those deemed eligible and a 38% increase in those in receipt of concessionary tickets. In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,200 children and young people from Ukraine. The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9 million.

The school transport scheme is an important service for families and children and the Deputy has outlined that very well. The purpose of the Department's school transport scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of young people who reside remote from their nearest school. A review of the school transport scheme is under way. It is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability and ensuring it serves students and their families adequately. Significant consultation is taking place as a consequence of the review.

Also as a consequence of the review, a public survey was carried out in respect of parents, guardians and students who use the service and those who do not. 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 has been completed. On foot of the results, we introduced a scheme whereby post-primary students who were attending their nearest or next nearest school would be eligible. Phase 2 has been completed. Phase 3 will be completed imminently.

On the topic raised by the Deputy, Bus Éireann will review applications and plan routes during the summer months for the upcoming school year. However, it is important to note that there are two specific dates with regard to facilitating Bus Éireann to do its work. First, the application date for those who were interested in applying to the school transport system was 28 April. Second, the closing date for payment or providing medical details for tickets for the 2023-24 school year is Friday, 9 June. In fairness to Bus Éireann, it is only after this date that appropriate and complete knowledge will be available on the application, with it having not just been received, but paid for. At that point, services will be planned for the upcoming school year.

Pending completion of the review, there will be no removal or downsizing of buses or routes for the 2023-24 school year. However, if families have applied to attend their nearest school, with regard to ethos and language, and have been advised by the school authorities that it is full, the Department of Education will consider if students can be deemed eligible for transport to their next-nearest school. These families can submit details to the school transport section in the Department of Education, where their request can be assessed.

The Deputy has referenced that, in his view, more than 50 young people would be making an application and asked what the provision might be by Bus Éireann. To be fair, the date for receipt of applications has passed. The Deputy has acknowledged there has been a reduction in terms of the moneys required, in that it costs €75 at post-primary level and €50 at primary level. These moneys are to be paid or details with regard to medical card are to be made available only by Friday, 9 June. A more complete judgment of the requirement will be made at that point.

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