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 the 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.

The Department is in contact with bus and coach provider representative groups on a regular basis and has engaged with other Departments and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and on 23 May announced the payment of a fuel contribution to contractors operating the school transport scheme under contract to Bus Éireann to alleviate the pressures on contractors in the short term. This measure is in place for quarter 1 and quarter 2 of 2022. The contribution is a temporary measure and the position with regard to fuel costs will continue to be kept under review.

As the Deputy will be aware, Government has also announced a reduction in excise on fuel will result in a decrease in the cost of fuel. The reduction of 20 cent per litre on petrol and 15 cent per litre on diesel will be in place until 31 August at an estimated cost of €320m. This is a national measure aimed at easing the financial burden on contractors and families at this time.