Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Senator for the opportunity to update the House on school transport for the current school year. I reiterate that all eligible pupils who applied on time this year have now been facilitated on board a service for the 2022-23 school year. In addition, there has been a 40% increase in the number of tickets issued to concessionary pupils for the current school year, compared with the number issued in 2021-22.

As I mentioned, the Department is conducting a review of the school transport scheme. Wider considerations relating to the operation of the scheme are included in the review. Significant consultation has been undertaken as part of the review. A public survey was administered for parents, guardians, students who use the bus service and those who do not use it but would like to do so. A broad array of stakeholders, including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Departments, were consulted as part of the review. Although work on the review was impacted by the conflict in Ukraine and increased demand for the scheme in summer 2022 due to fees being waived, officials in the Department are working to complete phase 3 of the review in the coming weeks, with recommendations on the future operation of the Department school transport scheme. Once approved by Government, it is planned that the review will be published.