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 4,500 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.

Significant consultation has been undertaken as part of this review.  A public survey was administered for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to.  A broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments were all consulted as part of this review.

Phase 1 of the review examined the impact of eligibility criteria on mainstream pupils who were eligible for transport to their nearest school but attending their next nearest school.  The report was completed in June 2021. 

Following consideration of this report, for the 2021/2022 school year, the provision  of temporary alleviation measures was approved for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport, but were attending their second nearest school and had applied and paid on time.  These measures have been continued for the current 2022/2023 school year, and will again continue in the 2023/2024 school year pending completion of the review.

These measures mean that 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 for school transport by the 28th April 2023 and pay for a ticket/enter medical card details by the 9^thJune 2023.

Phase two of the review has progressed significantly and is being completed in tandem with phase three which is well underway.

While work on the review was impacted somewhat by the current conflict in Ukraine, and by the increased demand for the scheme in summer 2022 due to fees being waived, my officials are working to complete phase 3 of the review within the coming weeks with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government it is planned that the review will be published.

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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135. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the review into school transport; the number of children carried in 2022-2023 and expected in 2023-2024; the preparation to expand services and maintain low fees in the same period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13109/23]

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 151,000 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 4,500 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.  As the school transport scheme is demand led and the closing date has not yet passed for the 2023/24 school year, it is not possible to give details of applications for the 2023/24 school year. 

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.

Significant consultation has been undertaken as part of this review.  A public survey was administered for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to.  A broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments were all consulted as part of this review.

Phase 1 of the review examined the impact of eligibility criteria on mainstream pupils who were eligible for transport to their nearest school but attending their next nearest school.  The report was completed in June 2021. 

Following consideration of this report, for the 2021/2022 school year, the provision  of temporary alleviation measures was approved for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport, but were attending their second nearest school and had applied and paid on time.  These measures have been continued for the current 2022/2023 school year, and will again continue in the 2023/2024 school year pending completion of the review.

These measures mean that 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 for school transport by the 28th April 2023 and pay for a ticket/enter medical card details by the 9th  June 2023.

Phase two of the review has progressed significantly and is being completed in tandem with phase three which is well underway.

While work on the review was impacted somewhat by the current conflict in Ukraine, and by the increased demand for the scheme in summer 2022 due to fees being waived, my officials are working to complete phase 3 of the review within the coming weeks with recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government it is planned that the review will be published.

The Bus Éireann portal has now opened for new applications for school transport for the 2023/24 school year. The closing date for new applications is Friday 28 April 2023.

For the 2023/2024 school year, reduced charges of €50 per student at primary level and €75 per student at post-primary level will apply, with a cap per family of €125. Ticketholders will save up to €50 at primary and €275 at post-primary, with an overall reduction in the family maximum contribution of €525 compared to the fees for 2021/2022 school year. This reduction in fees is at a cost of €49m.

Eligible children holding valid medical cards and eligible children with special educational needs remain exempt from paying the annual charge.