Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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341. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when school transport will be facilitated in the case of a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44995/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.

In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.

Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.

Bus Éireann has advised that the children referred to by the Deputy were unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year as they did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29th July 2022. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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342. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when school transport will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44996/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Schemes children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department, will contact all applicants regarding their eligibility for school transport:

- Following a timely application and payment process where there is a transport service available for eligible children, Bus Éireann will continue to liaise with eligible families regarding ticketing etc.

- Following a timely application where there is no transport service available for eligible children, Bus Éireann will forward the applicants’ details at the end of the school year to the Department, which will then contact families directly regarding the Remote Area Grant.

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 has advised that the first pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for School Transport as they are attending their closest Gaelcholáiste. Bus Eireann has also advised there is currently no service available, the pupil is eligible to receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements and received the Remote Area Grant for 2021/22 school year. Bus Éireann has advised there is no record of an application received for the second pupil referred to by the Deputy to the advised post primary school.