Mairéad Farrell
Question:173. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education if school bus tickets can be provided for two students (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39748/24]
View answerTuesday, 8 October 2024
Questions (173)
Written answers
The 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 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 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 the 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.
Bus Éireann has advised the pupils of the family of whom the Deputy refers reside 8.3 kilometres from home to school, their nearest school and school of attendance. They are eligible for transport as they meet the distance criteria under the post primary school transport scheme.
Bus Éireann further advise that an application was received on time for these pupils for the 2024/25 school year however no payment has been received to date. The local Bus Éireann office has advised that these pupils can be accommodated on a service once payment has been made. The family can make the payment by logging in to the Family Portal on the Bus Éireann website. The local Bus Éireann office will be in direct contact with the family regarding arrangements for the service once payment is made.
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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.