Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2024
715. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education when Bus Éireann school transport will issue a response to a communication (details supplied) relating to a student attending an all-Irish school in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32134/24]
View answerThe 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 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 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.
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 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.
Children who are eligible for school transport but for whom no service is available may be offered the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The Remote Area Grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2 kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.
Bus Éireann has advised that the family referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport, however there is no service available from where the pupil resides to the school they are attending. The pupil is eligible for the grant to the pick up point as they reside outside guidelines.
The parent has requested that the pick up point be moved closer to their home instead of receiving the Remote Area Grant payment.
This request is currently under consideration by Bus Éireann and family will be contacted directly by Bus Éireann with an update as soon as possible.
