Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Feighan for raising this matter today. I am taking this Topical Issues debate on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. I can see the passion Deputy Feighan shows in this area. It is an area that comes up on the ground for all of us, including my good self. I know how important education is for parents.

Before I address the specific issue raised, I would like to provide an outline of the extent of the school transport scheme. 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 161,600 children are being transported on a daily basis to schools throughout the country. This figure comprises more than 135,000 pupils travelling on mainstream services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine. The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02 million.

Under the current terms of the school transport schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 km from and are attending their nearest national school, to which Deputy Feighan already made reference. At post primary level they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 km from and are attending their nearest post-primary school or education centre as determined by the Department or Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time, that is apply on time and pay on time, are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. Children who are eligible for school transport but for

whom no service is available may be offered the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The remote area grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2 km or more to or from a designated pick-up and set-down point.

At post-primary level, temporary alleviation measures have been in place since 2019 and are being continued for the 2024-25 school year. Under these measures, transport is provided where a route is in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school, are attending their second-nearest school and who applied and paid on time. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available, Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats under an agreed selection process.

It should be noted that planning for school transport services in any given year will commence in the December and January preceding the start of that school year. A review of the school transport scheme has been completed and the resulting School Transport 2030 report has been published. This review, which the Deputy has already made reference to, was conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability and to ensure it services students and families adequately. It marks the largest review of the school transport scheme since it was established in 1967. The Government is committed to working to achieve the report's recommendations of expanding access to the scheme in order that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030.

Overall, the recommended changes to the future operation of the scheme involve: expansion of the current eligibility criteria; addressing existing operational challenges, charges and grants; and, over time, moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure better value for money for the Exchequer. As indicated at the time of the launch of the review, these changes will include a shared effort between the Departments of Education and Transport, supported by the National Transport Authority and Bus Éireann, to pilot and introduce greater integration of existing public transport networks with post-primary school transport routes.

The review does not deal specifically with the primary routes to which the Deputy referred. Two pilot routes have been identified, namely those relating to the Limerick-Shannon and Roscommon-Athlone areas. It is intended, subject to resources, to commence implementing the revised eligibility criteria in the 2025-26 school year. I will bring the specific points the Deputy raised back to the Minister, Deputy Foley. Perhaps the Minister can take the matter up on behalf of the Deputy, focusing on the specific case. As he stated, a review is being carried out. It will be on a pilot basis for the Limerick-Shannon and the Roscommon-Athlone routes. It is intended, subject to resources, to commence the implementation of the full revised eligibility criteria, not in the coming year but in the 2025-26 school year.

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