Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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325. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a student (details supplied) in County Mayo is being denied school transport in view of the fact that this student qualifies under the temporary alleviation measures for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school; if this student is deemed not to come under this stipulation, the reason therefor; the reason the school in question is not considered their second nearest school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22680/23]

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 5,200 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 not eligible for school transport, but who completed 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.

Due to 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 are already existing routes in place, temporary alleviation measures will be continued for the 2023/24 school year, pending completion of the School Transport Review. 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. Families must have applied for school transport by the 28th April 2023 and complete the payment process by 9th June 2023.

Bus Éireann has advised that the family, to whom the Deputy refers, is not eligible for school transport as they are not attending their nearest post primary school. The family is attending their second nearest post primary but there is no service currently operating from where the family reside to the school of attendance.