Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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234. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the payment of the remote area grant for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5984/23]

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.

Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport 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.

The purpose of school transport is to provide a reasonable level of transport service for eligible pupils to and from school.  Bus Éireann, which manages school transport services on behalf of the Department, is responsible for the establishment, contracting and operation of those services.   Where it is not possible to provide a reasonable level of service the Department may offer a grant towards the cost of organising a private transport arrangements.

Routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 3.2 kilometres to travel to a pick-up point. Children are generally expected to make their own way, or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route.  Where an eligible child has to travel further than 3.2kms to the pick up point, the Department sanction a remote are grant toward the cost of travelling to the pick up point.

Bus Éireann has advised that the family referred to by the Deputy are eligible and reside 10.1 kms from a pick up point of a school transport service.  School Transport Section will liaise directly with the family in relation to a remote area grant to the pick up point from the commencement of the 2021/22 school year.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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236. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when an appeal in respect of school transport will be adjudicated upon in the case of a person (details supplied) who lodged an appeal in September 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6002/23]

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. 

In reference to your correspondence regarding the above referenced appeal I wish to advise that 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. 

An appeal was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board on 13th September 2022.

This Board is independent in the performance of it’s functions and a report has been provided by the School Transport Section of the Department of Education in accordance with the terms of the Board’s Operating Procedures.  The Board will liaise directly with the appellant regarding the appeal date and their subsequent deliberations.