Written answers

Wednesday, 16 December 2020

Department of Education and Skills

School Transport

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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173. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the need for reform of school transport, with particular reference to the extent to which both the public and the private sectors contribute to the overall provision of transport; the funds available to them to do so; the extent to which the responsibility for school transport remains with the public or the private sector by way of percentage of the overall; if changes in the system are mooted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43770/20]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma 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. 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.

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 October 2019, my predecessor announced a review of the school transport scheme with a view to ensuring funds are being spent in the most effective way to meet the objectives of the scheme. Terms of reference and the scope of the review have been drafted and a Steering Group has been established.

Given the current evolving situation with Covid-19 and the continued restrictions the work of the Steering Group has been delayed. It is intended to convene the Steering Group shortly and to agree and supplement revised terms of reference to reflect the Programme for Government.

The Review will build on the proposals in the Programme for Government as they relate to school transport, including examining the options to reduce car journeys and assessing how the School Transport Scheme can work in liaison with the Safe Routes to Schools Programme;examining the options for providing a better value and a better service for students, including and examining issues such as the nearest or next-nearest school.

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