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

486. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider the approval of an additional school bus to collect the 20 plus students going to second level schools in Cavan town from the Kilnaleck Drumkilly area of County Cavan on a concessionary ticket basis on the route that the private bus currently takes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39032/22]

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.

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.

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. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, and rules have regard to ethos and language.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay/confirm on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.

Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

Parents of a child wishing to avail of school transport services, are required to apply on-line to Bus Éireann’s website at www.buseireann.ie.

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

Bus Éireann, who operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department, review all school transport services over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.

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

487. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if capacity for students attending their second-choice school will be provided on school transport in the 2022/2023 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39033/22]

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.

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.

As you are aware the Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report, following consideration of this report, temporary alleviation measures were approved 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. In effect, these students remained to be considered as concessionary but transport was provided for students who met the criteria.

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