Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is considering providing free or reduced cost school transport seats in rural areas where there are not sufficient pupils who meet the criteria for free school transport for a bus to be viable; if she is considering any other solution to this problem to ensure that as few pupils are arriving to school in private vehicles as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20625/23]

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.

For the 2023/2024 school year, reduced charges will apply, mainstream ticket holders 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. Children availing of Special Educational Needs Transport and medical card holders eligible for school transport remain exempt from ticket charges.

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.

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 the review 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.