Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

518. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider the development of a pilot school bus scheme linking Ferns, County Wexford with Bunclody County Wexford, in view of the fact this is a traditional school route and the majority of children from this area attend school in Bunclody; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48331/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 children residing in the area referred to by the Deputy who are attending the post primary school referred are not eligible under the terms of the Scheme as they are not attending their nearest post primary school/centre. Bus Éireann further advise that there is no service operating from this area to the school referred that children could avail of on a concessionary basis.

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 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms 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.

The School Transport 2030 report, which was published in early 2024 marks the largest review of the School Transport Scheme since it was established in 1967. The Government is committed to working to achieve the report’s recommendation of expanding access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030.

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.

The scale of the scheme is significant, and any changes will take time to plan and implement.

It was outlined at the time of the review’s publication that it would be prudent to implement the scheme changes on a phased basis.

A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann. A total of 14 pilot projects took place in the 2024/2025 school year

These pilots are being evaluated to provide valuable insights into the impact of increased demand on the scheme, the potential for integrating public transport with school transport services, and opportunities to promote more sustainable modes of transport.

It is intended to continue current pilots for the upcoming school year. They will be monitored during the year and 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 now underway to identify where more pilot programmes might be conducted subject to resources. 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 is being 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.

As intended, following closure of the application process for the 2025/2026 school year consideration is being given to further potential pilots. The School Transport Section of the Department is actively engaging with Bus Éireann, to assess where dedicated school transport pilots may be successfully delivered.

However, due to ongoing challenges in the wider transport sector, including availability of drivers and vehicles, any expansion of services must be carefully planned and phased. It is not possible to include all areas as pilots for the 2025/2026 school year. The area referred was not selected as a pilot for the 2025/2026 school year.

The priority for Bus Éireann is to provide school transport to pupils that are eligible under the current terms of the school transport scheme.

Implementation of the recommendations of the review will continue to be planned subject to resources being available to meet the increased demand.