Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

845. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of bespoke school transport contracts in place specifically for beneficiaries of temporary protection in each county; and the total cost of these contracts for the current academic year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19198/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

846. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department intends to renew bespoke school transport contracts in place specifically for beneficiaries of temporary protection for the 2025-2026 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19199/25]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

847. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will list each route in respect of bespoke school transport contracts in place specifically for beneficiaries of temporary protection; the number of children concerned on each route; the cost of each route, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19200/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 845, 846 and 847 together.

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 172,500 children, are transported daily in approximately 7,900 vehicles across 10,300 routes daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. These daily trips cover over 100 million kilometres. This figure includes over 143,800 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 21,700 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine.

The scheme is made up of three separate schemes, the school transport scheme for primary, post primary and for children with special educational needs. Transport is also provided for children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and those residing in IPAS/EROC centres.

The total expenditure on the scheme in 2024 was €512m.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 km from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 km from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.

Currently there are 6,888 pupils from Ukraine travelling on school transport service daily. Where possible, these pupils travel to school on mainstream services with other primary and post primary pupils attending these schools.

In some cases, due to the volume of pupils who arrived from Ukraine, services were set up to provide transport from accommodation centres to a school.

Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally.

Following the closing date for payment or entering medical card details, the Bus Éireann family portal will close. This will give Bus Éireann time to assess all applications and plan for routes and services for the 2025/26 school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.

As is the case with all school transport routes, they are assessed each year and may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

The data requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the manner requested. However, Bus Éireann are collating the data and officials from the School Transport Section of my Department will forward this data directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.