Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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995. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure to accommodate bus escorts providing an invaluable service to vulnerable young people in society with better pay and conditions and treat them with respect (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46819/25]

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 Board of Management/ETB are responsible for the employment of the school transport escort. The Department of Education and Youth provides grant funding directly to the school for the employment of the school transport escort and sets the rate of pay.

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. This pack is updated on an ongoing basis.

The commitment to review pay rates for school bus escorts has also been completed. Since then, the rate of pay for escorts was increased to €15.20 per hour from 01 October 2024. It was further increased to €15.50 per hour effective from 01 March 2025. The most recent pay rate effective from 01 August 2025 is €15.66.

The Department of Social Protection is responsible for the payment of jobseeker's benefits or allowances. Temporary Education Sector Workers (ESW), who have previously been in contact with the Department of Social Protection are issued with a repeat jobseekers application form and a holiday form in advance of school holiday periods. This advance process allows DSP to facilitate a more efficient service. Any queries relating to this process can be directed to the Department of Social Protection.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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996. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason no update has been made available for TDs and affected customers and families in relation to issues regarding the A1791 school transport route in County Louth; when the matter will be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46832/25]

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 has advised that that the service referred to by the Deputy has one pupil travelling on board and it re-commenced on 2nd September with no reported issues.

George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
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997. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware that a school bus company (details supplied) has cancelled its school bus service without notice to parents; her plans to facilitate the ten students who now have no transport to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46869/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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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 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.

Eligible children who complete the application process and pay or enter their medical card details on time will get a seat on a school bus service, if a service is available.

Children who are not eligible for school transport but complete the application and pay or enter their medical card details on time will be considered for any spare seats available after eligible children have been accommodated. These spare seats are called concessionary seats.

There may be more demand than availability for concessionary seats. In such cases, Bus Éireann will use a selection process to allocate tickets for the spare seats.

Bus Eireann has advised that the pupils who reside in the area referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for transport to their school of attendance as they are attending their 5th nearest post primary centre and there is no service operating in the area where they reside.