Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
577. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason a Bus Éireann school transport case (details supplied), which was submitted through the Bus Éireann Oireachtas help desk, has not been answered and a response not issued; if she will investigate this matter and instruct that a response is issued immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34678/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra578. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the reason a Bus Éireann school transport case (details supplied), which was submitted through the Bus Éireann Oireachtas help desk, has not been answered and a response not issued; if she will investigate this matter and instruct that a response is issued immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34679/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 577 and 578 together.
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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
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 and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) at post primary level are continued for the current school year. Under these measures, transport will be provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school, are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
Bus Éireann have advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is not eligible under the terms of the Post Primary scheme as they are attending their 5th nearest Post-Primary centre. There is no suitable service from where the pupil resides.
Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
If the parents wish to make an application for transport under the above scheme they should contact their school principal who will assist in making an application.
