Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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670. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the absence of school bus supports available to pupils living in Newcastle, County Dublin, and attending the nearest feeder school (details supplied); the reason for the lack of school bus supports for these students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63322/22]

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 of Education.  In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine. 

The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m. 

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 my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

In general children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance criteria and are attending their nearest post primary school/post primary centre.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time have been accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. 

Bus Éireann has advised there is currently no school transport service operating from the Newcastle area to the below named school. 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. Bus Éireann have confirmed, at present, they have not received applications from 10 eligible pupils from the Newcastle area to this school.

Generally, the nearest school for pupils residing in the Newcastle area is Holy Family Community School, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. However, depending on their home address, pupils may be eligible or concessionary for transport, depending on whether or not they meet the distance criteria of 4.8 km.