Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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497. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question 376 of 17 February 2021, if he will provide details of the membership of the steering group; the number of times and dates on which it has met; the terms of reference of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12797/21]

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. In the current school year over 113,100 children, including over 14,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.

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 taking a fresh look at the service and its broader effectiveness and sustainability. Given the evolving situation with Covid-19 the work of the Steering Group had been delayed. However, an initial meeting of the Steering Group was held on the 11^thof February in order to recommence the process, which will continue over the coming period. The review is being conducted to ensure that the school transport is fit for purpose and that it serves students and their families adequately.

This review will also 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.

Other issues under consideration include the efficiency of the service and to also examine potential scope for a more co-ordinated approach involving other Government departments involved in transport services.

The Steering Group comprises representatives from School Transport Section, Special Education Section, Central Policy Unit and Finance Section of the Department of Education, the National Council for Special Education, Bus Éireann, the National Transport Authority, the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.