Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

In 2021, receipts from school transport charges which includes eligible and concessionary tickets amounted to approximately €12m (net of refunds issued arising from Covid related school closures). The total amount of receipts without refunds, would be approximately €16m.

As part of the cost of living measures announcement by Government on 10 February 2022 for policy measures to mitigate the cost of living, for the 2022/2023 school year the annual school transport cap per family was set to be reduced from the previous cap of €220 to €150 per family at primary level and from the previous cap of €650 to €500 per family at post-primary level. There were no reductions announced for single annual tickets at this time. Eligible children holding valid medical cards and eligible children with special educational needs were exempt from paying the annual charge.

However, as you are aware, in recognition that this is an expensive time of year for families, within the last week I have put in place measures worth over €17m which will ensure free school transport for families availing of the school transport scheme in the 2022/2023 school year, this includes students who travel on a concessionary basis. These measures will provide families with savings of up to €500 on the cost of tickets. This figure is based on current patterns of school transport uptake and could vary depending on eligibility and demand.

School Transport is a demand led scheme and services are planned annually based on the number of eligible pupils who apply and pay on time. The closing date for receipt of payment for school transport for the 2022/23 school year was set for the 29th July 2022.

Families who have already paid/entered medical card details for their ticket do not need to take any further action. Families who have not yet paid for their ticket will need to confirm they still require a ticket by the 29th July 2022 in line with the process.

Bus Éireann have informed the Department the estimated total amount of payments received for the 2022/2023 school year was €4m. Bus Éireann will process a full refund to families who have already made payments for the new school year.

The final number of children to be accommodated on school transport services for the 2022/23 school year will not be known until after the closing date for confirmation has passed.