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 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.

There is a facility within the Special Educational Needs Transport Scheme for the appointment of a School Transport Escort, where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such as to require the support of a School Transport Escort.

The Department of Education provides grant funding for the employment of the School Transport Escort and sets the rate of pay.

Under the Education Act 1998, the Principal/Board of Management is responsible for the operation of the school and is the employer of the School Transport Escort and therefore responsible for all employment matters relating to their School Transport Escort.

Building Momentum – a new public service agreement, 2021-2022 was agreed between Government and Unions in 2020 and was extended to run until the end of 2023. The agreement provides for a number of pay increases over the period of the agreement. This agreement only applies to public servants, and does not automatically apply beyond public servants and therefore grant funded school staff such as bus escorts employed directly by schools are not comprehended by the agreement.

However, it is recognised that School Bus Escorts play a vital role in supporting children with Special Educational Needs in their journey to and from school. The School Transport Section in the Department are currently carrying out a comprehensive review of matters as they relate to the escort and the information provided to schools. An information pack for schools is being developed and will be reviewed and updated regularly. As part of this comprehensive review the terms of employment and rate of pay for school bus escorts are also being examined, and the Department will continue to keep the rates under review.

A review of the School Transport Scheme has recently been completed by a Steering Group with high level membership of relevant Government Departments and other bodies, reflecting the importance of the scheme for access to education and other wider Government objectives. The school transport scheme has been in operation for over 55 years, since its establishment in 1967, and this review is one of the most extensive investigations that has been carried out into the Scheme since then. Undoubtedly, the School Transport Scheme is of huge importance to families. The review has been conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness, and sustainability and to ensure it services students and their families efficiently and effectively. The review has also given consideration to employment related matters for School Bus Escorts. Considering how to best maximise the benefits now and into the future has been a significant factor in the review of the Scheme.

I am aware that this review is much-awaited, it is recognised that there are improvements which need to be made to the scheme and I know the importance of doing so. I expect to be in a position shortly to bring the review to government, and further to government approval, the review will be published.