Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

221. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the fact that transport has not been sanctioned for July Provision for a school (details supplied). [36778/22]

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. The cost in 2021 was over €289m.

In order to plan for, and provide transport for all schools operating the Summer Programme, Bus Éireann require applications to be submitted as quickly as possible. In May of this year, schools that indicated they would take part in the programme were invited to apply for school transport.

An application for school transport for the Summer Programme was made by the school referred to by the Deputy on 1^stJuly 2022 and on receipt of the application, the Department sanctioned services immediately. I am pleased to inform you that school transport services for pupils attending the school mentioned by the Deputy for the summer programme commenced on 5^thJuly 2022.