Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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602. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when school transport will be facilitated in the case of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55255/22]

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.

I wish to advise the Deputy that no application for school transport has been received for the child referred in the School Transport Section of my Department or in Bus Eireann.

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, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Application Process for School Transport

Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should apply on-line in a timely manner to Bus Éireann on Bus Éireann’s website (www.buseireann.ie).

The closing date for school transport applications for the 2022/23 School Year was Friday, 29 April 2022.

The family may still apply for school transport following this date, but if the application is late, they may not secure a seat on a service and will not be considered for a remote area grant.

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

Pupils who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis in accordance with the terms of the School Transport Schemes and subject to the following conditions:

- a Transport Application Form is completed and submitted to Bus Éireann.

- there is a suitable service, as determined by Bus Éireann, operating into their school/education centre.

- there is spare capacity on the service.

Any remaining seats left after eligible pupils are accommodated are then allocated to concessionary pupils. Where there is a transport service available.

Application Process for School Transport for Children with Special Educational Needs

The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special needs.

Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO).

School transport is provided to children with special needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.

A parent/guardian who wishes to make an application for transport should contact the school principal of the school that their child is attending who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with their school.