James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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75. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the school bus transport appeals process; if her attention has been drawn to reports that numerous children who previously had bus tickets cannot get any in 2022 and cannot get their appeal heard to date; if she can outline the next meeting of the appeals board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58435/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my 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. The cost of the scheme in 2021 was €289m.

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.

This time last year there were circa 103,600 children on school transport scheme services. Already over 127,800 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new school year so already in the region of 24,200 additional places have been created. This is an increase of 23%. Specifically, in regards to concessionary tickets there has been an increase of 33%.

All children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.

In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level have continued for the 2022/2023 school year.

Under these measures, transport is provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.

Decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes may be appealed to the School Transport Appeals Board.

The School Transport Appeals Board is independent in the performance of its functions and the Board liaises directly with appellants when their appeal is due for consideration. The role of the Board is to ensure that the terms of the School Transport Scheme are applied correctly.

It should be noted that while processing appeals, Bus Éireann were also processing transport applications for the 2022/2023 school year. These appeals have not been withdrawn by the appellants; however, many families have since received a ticket on board a school transport service for the current school year.

At the beginning of September 2022, approximately 122,000 mainstream tickets had issued. Tickets have been allocated on an ongoing basis in the intervening period, and so as of 8 November over 127,800 mainstream tickets had been issued to eligible and concessionary pupils.

Bus Éireann have advised they have redeployed staff members to assist with preparing and issuing reports for consideration of the Appeal’s Board. While the School Transport Appeals Board usually meet once a month, they have agreed to meet more often as required. The next meeting dates are scheduled for 1^stand 15^thDecember 2022.