Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

86. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a scheme whereby children experiencing homelessness (details supplied) who are attending school are assisted with the associated cost of transport from their accommodation to their school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2434/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

Currently over 115,000 children, including almost 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment of a school transport service, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

Families of eligible children, for whom no transport service is available, may be eligible for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.

Children who are not eligible for school transport may avail of transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions which are detailed in the scheme.

The school transport eligibility of children in emergency accommodation is considered in conjunction with Bus Éireann which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department.