James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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434. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a matter concerning a school bus service (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8763/23]

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 €338.9m.

A review of the School Transport Scheme commenced in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.

Phase 1 of the review, an examination of issues a report on eligibility with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school was completed in June 2021.

Following commencement of the review the Steering Group presented the Minister with an initial interim report in June 2021, with regard to eligibility and with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school. Following consideration of this report, for the 2021/2022 school year, the extension of temporary alleviation measures were approved for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time. These measures will be continued for the current school year, pending completion of the review and means transport will be 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.

While work on the review was impacted somewhat by the challenges of the pandemic and the impact of the current conflict in Ukraine, it is anticipated that the final phases of the review will be completed shortly with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme.

Planning for the operation of the school transport scheme for the 2023/24 is expected to be completed shortly. Bus Éireann will advertise the details of the 2023/2024 school year process through their website and social media platforms. Details will also be published on the Department’s website and, in line with normal practice, will also be communicated to Oireachtas Members.

Bus Éireann has advised that pupils residing in the area outlined by the Deputy are not eligible for transport to the Post Primary School and Community College in the location mentioned by the Deputy as it is not their closest school/education centre.

These pupils are eligible to the Gaelcholáiste in the location mentioned by the Deputy as it is their closest Irish speaking school.

There are currently two school transport mainstream services operating between the area from which these pupils reside and the schools to which the Deputy refers.

Bus Éireann has advised that 23 mainstream concessionary pupils were unsuccessful in obtaining tickets on these services for the 2022/23 school year.