Seán Sherlock
Ceist:245. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if a school bus service can be provided for an area in County Kildare (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24050/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 28 May 2024
Ceisteanna (245)
Freagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children are being transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. This figure includes over 135,000 children on mainstream services, 19,800 on children with special educational needs, and 6,800 children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine.
Children are eligible for transport at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre/post primary school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Any children who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
Temporary Alleviation Measures are in place for the 2024/2025 school year, these measures mean that transport will be provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and, who applied for school transport by the 26th April 2024 and pay for a ticket/enter medical card details by the 7th June 2024.
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.
In cases where the Department is satisfied that the nearest/next nearest schools are full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance the pupil resides from their next nearest school having regard to ethos and language.
The closing date for new applications was 26th April 2024. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2024/25 school year is Friday 7th June 2024. It is only after this time that Bus Éireann will know how many applications have been received and paid for. At that point, services will be planned for the upcoming school year.