Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to deal with contracting issues on the Bus Éireann school transport scheme that have resulted in pupils being left without transport in areas in County Clare (details supplied). [53957/22]

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

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 due to unforeseen circumstances, the route mentioned by the Deputy was unable to operate for a number of days. I am pleased to advise that Bus Éireann have sourced an alternative contractor to operate this route. The service has resumed operation on the 24th of October 2022 and all families were notified prior to the resumption of the service.