Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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385. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that bus escorts for children have not had a pay increase since 2020; if she will engage with this group of workers (details supplied) with the view of providing an increase in wages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43164/24]

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 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post-primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.

Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.

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. The Board of Management/ETB are responsible for the employment of the School Transport Escort.

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.

A review of the School Transport Scheme has been completed. This review was conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness, and sustainability and to ensure it services students and their families adequately. As a recommended action arising from the review, the Department committed to carrying out a comprehensive analysis of matters as they relate to the escort's pay, and the information provided to schools as the employer of the escort.

An information pack for schools was recently completed and has now issued to schools. The pay rate for School Bus Escorts is currently being reviewed. It is planned that this action will be completed before the end of Q4 2024.