Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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412. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a response to a representation regarding school transport (details supplied) will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44440/24]

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.

Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport however a payment was not received by the payment deadline date. Bus Éireann further advise that a seat on a service has recently become available and the family have been notified in this regard.

Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms 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 school transport applications for the 2024/25 school year was Friday, 26th April 2024 and the closing date for payment was 7th June 2024.

Families may still apply for school transport following this date, but if their application is late they may not secure a seat on a service.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services 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.