Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

57. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applicants from County Monaghan for the school transport scheme in 2021 and 2022; the number of late applicants; and the steps that she has taken to ensure that a space is available for all students in September 2022. [34780/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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.

Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis, where seats are available after all eligible applicants have been accommodated on school transport services. 

The total number of mainstream applications for the 2021/2022 school year in the location referred to was 4,191.  Of those applications 500 were received after the closing date.  The number of applications received include incomplete applications, concessionary applications and eligible applications where a Remote Area Grant was offered due to no service being available.

The details required by the Deputy for the 2022/2023 school year are not yet available as the application process for the 2022/2023 school year has not closed.  

As the Deputy is aware, the 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 and how it currently operates, its broader effectiveness and sustainability and that it adequately supports the provision of services to students and their families. 

The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. The review of the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes examine how the schemes currently operate, including eligibility criteria, trends, costs, cost drivers, and overall effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the schemes.  The review will also examine the potential for integration of different strands of the scheme and a more co-ordinated approach with other Government Departments that also use transport services.  

Following commencement of this review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report in June 2021.  Following consideration of this report, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures for the 2021/22 school year for transport for post-primary students who were otherwise eligible for school transport but were attending their second nearest school and had 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. 

Decisions in regard to measures for the 2022/23 school year will be made shortly.  

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