Written answers

Tuesday, 22 February 2022

Department of Education and Skills

School Transport

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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492. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made in the review case submitted by a school (details supplied) in respect of school transport under the primary school transport scheme submitted in October 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9905/22]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma 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.

All children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application and payment process on time for the 2021/22 school year are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.

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 is listening to the views of parents and guardians, students, the education partners and other relevant stakeholders through use of surveys, focus groups and meetings, as well as inviting written submissions. My Department is inviting stakeholders to share their views and opinions 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.

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