Written answers
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
Department of Education and Skills
School Transport Data
Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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217. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children who had access to free school transport in counties Longford and Westmeath in each of the years 2008 to 2014. [38492/15]
Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The breakdown of the information on a per County basis, as requested by the Deputy, is not readily available.
However, Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme has provided the following regional information in relation to the number of children who availed of free school transport services in Counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon and Westmeath.
| YEAR | NO. OF CHILDREN |
|---|---|
| 2008/09 | 2,582 |
| 2009/10 | 2,940 |
| 2010/11 | 3,286 |
| 2011/12 | 4,766 |
| 2012/13 | 5,034 |
| 2013/14 | 5,175 |
| 2014/15 | 4,606 |
Charges for children who are eligible for school transport and who are attending Primary Schools were introduced from the 2011/12 school year.
The annual charge is waived for children who are eligible for school transport and who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) and for children who are eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs.
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