Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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256. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide a breakdown of the total number of applications for school transport for the 2022 and 2023 school years, by county, in tabular form; the number of the cohort in receipt of free school transport that availed of the scheme for 2022 and 2023; the number of the cohort that applied, by county, that paid a fee to include the number who were granted a place and not granted a place for 2022 and 2023; the number that applied, by county, for concessionary tickets for each of the past five years, to include the year 2023 and those that were granted a concessionary ticket and not granted a concessionary ticket for each of those years; the reason one cohort of students was automatically guaranteed a free school transport place for the 2023 school year without having to reapply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39590/23]

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 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

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

There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.

While some of information is not available in the manner requested by the Deputy, a spreadsheet has been provided by Bus Éireann in the table attached. Please note that the information provided was accurate at the time of issue. The 2023/2024 data is subject to variation as Bus Éireann issue more tickets issue over the coming weeks.

In relation to the Deputy's query regarding pupils being assigned a free school transport place for the 2022/23 school year, all school transport fees were waived for the 2022/2023 school year as part of a wider cost of living package. In relation to the query of applications for the 2023/24 school year without having to reapply, I can advise that for eligible pupils availing of transport under the mainstream school transport primary and post primary scheme; eligible applications automatically roll over to the following school year on the Bus Éireann school transport portal. However families are requested to pay the required fee or enter medical card details by the closing date in order for tickets to issue.

In relation to pupils travelling on the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs and pupils from Ukraine/children residing in IPAS accommodation, I can advise that applications automatically roll over to the following school year on the Bus Éireann school transport portal and as transport is free for these pupil, tickets issue automatically.

There is no separate application process for concessionary seats, children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete the application and payment 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.

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.

In addition, temporary alleviation measures continue for the 2023/24 school year, pending completion of the school transport scheme review. This means that transport is provided where such services are in operation, and where there is capacity to do so, 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 on time.

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 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

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

Already close to 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 7% when compared with the same time last year, the number of tickets increases on a regular basis as capacity becomes available.This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.

In relation to the Deputy's request for the number of applicants, by county, in tabular form, that did not receive a seat on the school transport scheme 2023/2024; it is not possible to provide this information as Bus Éireann continue to issue tickets to families where capacity is available.

Bus Éireann have advised however that the number of tickets issued to pupils, by county to date is in the table below. Please note, these figures are taken from a point in time and are subject to change.

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 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

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

Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.

Decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes may be appealed to the School Transport Appeals Board.

This Board is independent in the performance of it’s functions but acts in accordance with (a) its Terms of Reference as determined by the Minister and (b) a set of Operating Procedures.

A total of 1,035 appeals have been received to date for 2023/2024 school, of which 899 appeals were received since July. Of the total appeals received, 716 are awaiting their consideration. The table below outlines the appeals awaiting consideration by county, in tabular form.

The Board meet once per month, however they may be required to carry out additional meetings where necessary where a large volume of appeals are received.

Totals for Consideration by County (716)

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 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

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

Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.

On the 23rd of August 2023 an appeal in respect of school transport for the family referred to by the Deputy was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board. The Board will liaise directly with the appellants when the appeals are due for consideration.

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 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

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

Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.

On the 29th of August 2023 an appeal in respect of school transport for the family referred to by the Deputy was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board. The Board will liaise directly with the appellants when the appeals are due for consideration.

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 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

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

Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.

On the 2nd of August 2023 an appeal in respect of school transport for the family referred to by the Deputy was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board. The Board will liaise directly with the appellants when the appeals are due for consideration.

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 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

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

Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.

On the 2nd of August 2023 an appeal in respect of school transport for the family referred to by the Deputy was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board. The Board will liaise directly with the appellants when the appeals are due for consideration.

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 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

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

Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.

On the 7th of August 2023 an appeal in respect of school transport for the family referred to by the Deputy was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board. The Board will liaise directly with the appellants when the appeals are due for consideration.