Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21889/23]

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.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time are now accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation for the 2022/2023 school year.

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

Bus Éireann consider transport options as outlined in the case raised by the Deputy, once pupils have applied for school transport online through the Bus Éireann family portal.

Bus Éireann have reported a strong level of applications for school transport for the 2023/2024 school year. The closing date for new applications was Friday 28 April 2023. Any new applications made following this date will be considered late and this may mean that a ticket is not available. Applications can be made by visiting www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport.

The Bus Éireann family portal is open for payments for school transport for the 2023 / 2024 school year until 9 June. Bus Éireann will assess all new and existing applications following the closing date and where there is a requirement for an extension of a service or a new service, where there are ten or more eligible applicants for a specific area, this will be arranged during the summer months.