Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

560. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will extend eligibility for school transport to the second nearest post-primary school to primary school students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37749/22]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

571. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 412 of 31 May 2022, if a decision has been taken which will allow for the provision of school transport for post-primary students who were otherwise eligible for transport but are attending their second nearest school and had applied and paid on time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37962/22]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 560 and 571 together.

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.

I know what a hugely important service school transport is for families and children. As you are aware 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.

The review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes in terms of how each element of the schemes currently operate, to include eligibility criteria, trends, costs and 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. The review will consider issues such as climate action, supporting rural development and promoting where possible initiatives that encourage walking and cycling to school.

In June 2021, the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report. Following consideration of this report, I approved temporary alleviation measures for the 2021/2022 school year which allowed for the provision of 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 second phase of the review. The Technical Working Group has undertaken extensive consultation over the last number of months; including running a public survey for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. The Group has also consulted with a broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments,

A number of meetings have been convened in recent weeks with both the Technical Working Group and the Steering Group with a view to finalising phase 2 of the review.

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.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

561. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the school transport provisions that are in place for children clinically diagnosed with autism in County Mayo; if school transport capacity has been improved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37773/22]

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.

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.

The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO).

School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.

Bus Éireann have advised that 68 school transport services for children with special educational needs operate in County Mayo, carrying 314 pupils to their school of attendance. All 314 pupils have a home address in County Mayo.

In addition, 25 families avail of a special transport grant to assist in transporting their children who have been deemed eligible for school transport under the above scheme, to school in County Mayo.

It is not possible to provide the diagnosis of the children on these services but all children have been deemed eligible for transport under the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

562. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to alleviate the cost of private school bus fees in view of her Department’s recent announcement that school bus fees will be waived for the academic year 2022/2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37776/22]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

575. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to partly subsidising those children who travel to school on private buses given the recent announcement on free bus transport for those in the school transport scheme for 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37997/22]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 562 and 575 together.

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.

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 only. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s education cycle.

Routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.

Commercial contractors who provide transport for schools on a private hire or commercial basis but who are not contracted by Bus Éireann to operate on the Department’s School Transport Scheme do not fall under the remit of the Department of Education.