Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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329. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if reform of the school transport scheme will be implemented before tickets are allocated for the 2022-2023 school year. [7168/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €289m in 2021.

My Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.

Following commencement of this review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures in the current school year for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport and have applied and paid on time but are attending their second nearest school.

Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the next phase of the review which is currently underway. The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.

Bus Éireann’s on-line application system for new applicants for school transport is now open for the 2022/23 school year. Applications can be made online at www.buseireann.ie\schooltransport. The closing date for School Transport Applications is Friday, 29th April, 2022 and the closing date to input payment/medical card details is Friday, 29th July 2022.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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330. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has held conversations with other Ministers on removing the kilometre distance rule for the school transport scheme. [7169/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €289m in 2021.

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.

My Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.

Following commencement of this review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures in the current school year for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time.

Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the next phase of the review which is currently underway. As part of this phase of the review, my Department is currently conducting an extensive stakeholder engagement process. My Department will be listening to the views of relevant stakeholders, including other Government Departments, so that they may be considered as part of the assessment and in informing policy on the future operation of the scheme.

The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.