Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2024
722. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education to provide details of the school transport grant; who can apply for same; the nature of the application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32193/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Parents of children wishing to avail of school transport services are required to apply on-line to Bus Éireann’s website at buseireann.ie/schooltransport
The closing date for new applications for the school year 2024/25 was 26 April 2024 and the closing date for payment was 07 June 2024. Families may still apply for school transport following this date, but if the application or payment is late they may not secure a seat on a service and will not be considered for a remote area grant.
An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements. This 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.
Families who are eligible for Remote Area Grant payment and are contacted directly by School Transport Section towards the end of the relevant school year.
Separately, the purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
A Special Transport Grant (STG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements may be provided to families of eligible children in certain circumstances where for example Bus Éireann is not in a position to provide a transport service or have contractor/procurement issues until a service becomes available or where a child's care needs are such as to make the provision of a transport service impracticable
School Transport Section of my Department contact families in this regard, following consultation with Bus Éireann on these applications.
