Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

304. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will urgently provide an update on a number of school transport queries (details supplied). [40003/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. Please find attached an update on a number of school transport queries as requested by the Deputy.

Query 1:

This pupil is not eligible for transport as he is attending his 4^thnearest Post primary Centre.

Bus Éireann had confirmed that an application and payment was received on time for this pupil for the 2023/24 school year however this pupil was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.

Query 2:

The family must apply to Bus Éireann in order for their school transport application to be assessed. See link here: School Transport - Bus Éireann Family Portal (buseireann.ie)

Query 3:

This family resides 2.6 km from home to their nearest school and school of attendance. Bus Éireann have confirmed that this family is not eligible for transport as they do not meet the distance criteria under the Primary School Transport Scheme. An application and payment was received on time for this family for the 2023/24 school year however they were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.

Query 4:

This pupil is not eligible for transport as they are attending their 5^thnearest primary centre. Bus Éireann have confirmed that an application and payment was received on time for this pupil for the 2023/24 school year however they were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.

Query 5:

This pupil is not eligible for transport as he is attending his 2^ndnearest Post primary Centre. Bus Éireann have confirmed that an application and payment was received on time for this pupil for the 2023/24 school year however this pupil was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.

Query 6:

The closing date for new applications for the 2023/2024 school year was Friday 28th April 2023. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2023/2024 school year was Friday 9th June 2023.

Bus Éireann have confirmed that this pupil is eligible for transport. However, an application and payment in relation to this pupil was received on 03/07/2023 and was therefore late. The service is operating to capacity and there are no seats available.

Query 7:

Bus Éireann have confirmed that there is no application for the pupil in question attending the school referred to by the Deputy on their system.

Query 8:

Bus Éireann have confirmed that this family’s nearest pick up point is 2.6 km from their home, however the local office will contact the family to ensure that they are going to the nearest pick up point to their home.

Query 9:

This pupil is not eligible for transport as they are attending their 2^ndnearest primary school.

Bus Éireann have confirmed that an application and payment was received on time for this pupil for the 2023/24 school year however they were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.

Query 10:

The family in question is not eligible for transport as they are attending their 2^ndnearest Post primary Centre.

Bus Éireann have confirmed that an application and payment was received on time for this family for the 2023/24 school year however this family was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.

Query 11:

This pupil resides 4.4 km from home to, their nearest school and school of attendance.

This pupil is not eligible for transport as they do not meet the distance criteria under the Post Primary School Transport Scheme.

Bus Éireann have confirmed that an application and payment was received on time for this pupil for the 2023/24 school year however this pupil was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.

Query 12:

This family is not eligible for transport as they are attending their 3^rdnearest Post primary Centre.

Bus Éireann have confirmed that a payment was not received for this pupil for the 2023/24 school year. This pupil was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat for the 2023/24 school year and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

305. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when an alternative school bus route for a school (details supplied) will be put in place, given parents were informed only two days before children were due back in school that their usual bus provider would no longer provide this service for the coming school year. [40005/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

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 will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.

Bus Éireann have advised that a contractor has been sourced for this service and that the pupils referred to by the Deputy are currently travelling on a service.