Séamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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1004. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify the terms and conditions for school transport escorts; when the terms and conditions, including pay levels were last reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40903/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, 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 and Youth.

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 provides grant funding directly to the school 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 continuing the comprehensive analysis of matters as they relate to the escort's pay, and the information provided to schools as the employer of the escort.

The work underway by School Transport Section regarding the employment of School Bus Escorts has been completed and an information pack has issued to schools and has also been published on the Department’s website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/collections/services-for-schools-and-school-staff/#school-transport-escorts.This pack will continue to be updated on an ongoing basis

The commitment to review pay rates for Bus Escorts has also been completed. A circular issued to schools on 04 November 2024 to advise that the increased rate of pay for escorts has been set at €15.20 per hour from 01 October 2024. A further information note issued to schools advising that the revised hourly rate effective from 01 March 2025 is €15.50 per hour. Holiday pay will continue to be paid at 8%.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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1005. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the up-to-date position on the measures she is taking to ensure sufficient school transport will be available in the mid-Cork region for 2025-2026 school year; the up-to-date position on the roll out of the new transport measures; when these measures will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40946/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, 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 and Youth.

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.

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. Routes may also 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 the closing dates for applications and payments for the 2025/2026 school year have now passed Bus Éireann are in the process of finalising routes. The issuing of tickets has commenced and this will continue over July and August. Families who are unsuccessful in obtaining a seat will be notified via email and a refund will issue.

The School Transport 2030 report was published in early 2024 following a comprehensive analysis and review of the scheme as it currently operates. The recommended changes to the future operation of the schemes include expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges and moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure the best value for money to the Exchequer. It is proposed to expand access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030. A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year.

A total of 14 pilot projects took place in the 2024/2025 school year. It is intended to continue current pilots for the upcoming school year. A further evaluation will take place at the end of the 2025/2026 school year. The findings from these evaluations will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme.

Work is also underway to identify where further pilot programmes may be conducted. A number of approaches are being examined including the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify how many additional children would become eligible and where they are located. A digital mapping project of all existing school bus routes has been developed and there is ongoing collaboration with the Department of Transport, Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority in regard to planned expansion of public transport routes to explore where integration may be possible.