Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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794. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an issue in relation to school transport (details supplied) will be examined and addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1980/23]

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. 

Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

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

Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

School Transport Section considers situations such the case outlined by the Deputy on a case by case basis and will liaise with Bus Éireann in this matter.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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795. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure a child (details supplied) will be allocated a seat on their local school bus as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1981/23]

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. 

Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to is eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme.  However no ticket request has been received for this pupil for the 2022/23 school year.  The existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available at present.