Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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654. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position in respect of the return of schools in September 2020 and school transport; if all students will have full access to school transport; the way in which school transport will operate in terms of social distancing; if the deadline for payment of school transport will be postponed beyond 30 July 2020 until full details on the return to school are confirmed, in view of the fact that it is unclear for many whether they will return to school full-time or have access to school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15672/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.

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. 

In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019. 

With regard to the re-opening of schools for the 2020/21 academic year, my Department is currently engaging intensively with Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority on the logistical considerations that arise from public health advice in planning for the reopening of schools.  The operation of school transport services in September 2020 will be informed by the outcome of this planning for re-opening schools. 

The option to make payment for transport for the new academic year is now available with a closing date for payment on the 31 July 2020.  Families wishing to avail of transport for the 2020/2021 year are advised to make payment by this date.  There are no plans to extend this payment deadline.