Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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637.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school bus ticket applications issued in County Clare for the academic year 2023-24 compared with the previous 2022-23 academic year, in tabular form. [31407/24]

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.

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.

In relation to the Deputy's request for the number of school bus ticket applications issued in County Clare for the academic year 2023-24 compared to the previous 2022-23 academic year, Bus éireann has provided the data requested in the following table.