Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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284. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will intervene in a matter involving two bus routes for Ukrainian schoolchildren (details supplied). [21357/23]

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.

Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level 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.

Applications continue to be submitted on a daily basis from REALT co-ordinators to School Transport Section. Every effort is being made to ensure school transport services are up and running as they are required. However, given the reported challenges in sourcing contractors/drivers in certain areas, and the ongoing movement and arrival of families, it may in some cases take time to arrange services for families.

The service which is due to operate from Ennis to Ennistymon Post Primary Centre is currently being assessed by Bus Éireann to determine the transport options available.

The service which operates from Lisdoonvarna to Ennistymon Post Primary Centre commenced from 03/05/2023.