Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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352. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when school bus capacity will revert to 100% in view of current public health measures in relation to school bus transportation; the expected future demand in services based on available data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32929/21]

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 114,100 children, including over 14,700 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 the scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. All children who are eligible and who complete the application and payment process on time will be accommodated on school transport in the 2021/22 school year where such services are in operation.  Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis and may be accommodated where seats are available after all eligible applicants have been accommodated.

My Department has engaged intensively with Bus Éireann in regard to the logistics for the safe operation of School Transport Scheme services for the 2020/2021 school year. Based on public health advice my Department provided for School Transport Scheme services for the 2020/2021 school year to fully operate, but with additional measures and hygiene requirements in place and with the rolling implementation of measures on post-primary services as required to provide physical distancing using 50% of passenger capacity.   

The requirement to implement additional measures or capacity limits on school transport services in the 2021/22 school year will be dependent on the prevailing public health advice at that time.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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353. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the case of a pupil (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32945/21]

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

In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 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. 

Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application and payment process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. 

My Department does not appear to have an application for transport for the pupil referred to by the Deputy and I would advise that the family in question contact School Transport Section of my Department directly in this regard.