Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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503. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 358 of 28 March 2023, the actions that are being taken now to ensure capacity for the next school year in north Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16696/23]

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 4,500 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m. 

Under the terms of the Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport 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 complete the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation for the 2023/24 school year.

In addition, temporary alleviation measures have been continued for the 2023/2024 school year(s), pending completion of the review and this means 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 apply and pay by the closing dates. 

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

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services.

Bus Éireann review all school transport services over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.

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 an agreed selection process.  Where there is a transport service available, Bus Éireann liaise with families regarding ticketing etc.

In cases where the Department is satisfied that a family's nearest school is full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance they reside from the next nearest school having regard to ethos and language.  Bus Éireann have confirmed that families in this area are attending their third and fourth closest schools.  They have been requested to provide the details below which have not yet been received in School Transport Section.

- The steps taken to enrol your child in the nearest and next nearest schools

- Evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school and

- A letter from the School Authorities confirming that the school was full at the time of enrollment for your child

This documentation can be sent to school transport section at the address below for consideration to school_transport@education.gov.ie

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question. 

My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. Key priorities for the Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special educational needs provision. 

The school in question is being considered as part of this assessment and a decision will issue to the school authorities as soon as possible in this regard. My officials have been in touch with the school in relation to this matter.