Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

805. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on the appeals made by a person (details supplied) in County Meath against the decision not to be provided with school bus tickets this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2178/23]

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 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 school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest 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 will be 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. 

Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using a random selection process.

The School Transport Appeals Board operate independently from the Department of Education. On 13th September 2022, an appeal in respect of this application was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board.  The Board will liaise directly with the appellant when the appeal is due for consideration.