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 133,000 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.

Bus Éireann has advised that this pupil is not eligible for school transport as they are attending their second nearest Post Primary Centre.

Bus Éireann has also advised that a late application for school transport was submitted by this family in respect of the 2023/24 school year. The Bus Éireann Local Office is currently in the process of assessing late applications. If there is a service available, the Local Office will contact the family directly.