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

604.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure a school bus place is allocated to a child (details supplied) on discretionary grounds. [31051/24]

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 current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils traveling 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.

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.

The closing date for new applications for the 2024/2025 school year was Friday 26th April 2024. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2024/2025 school year was Friday 7th June 2024.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where capacity exists and where such services are in operation.

Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application 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.

Bus éireann has advised that the pupil referred to is deemed a concessionary pupil for transport as she is attending her 3rd nearest primary school. An application for transport was received on time but payment was received after the closing date on the 18th June, 2024.

Bus éireann have further advised that while there is a service from the address provided to the school of attendance, however, the service will be operating at capacity for the 2024/2025 school year.

Bus éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.

Families can also contact Bus éireann by submitting a query via:

buseireann.ie/schooltransport