Written Answers Nos. 401-420
401. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide estimates of consumer spending on e-commerce in the State and on e-commerce purchases from companies located outside the State for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52132/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) produces guidance for consumers on a wide range of consumer matters. This guidance includes information on buying from businesses outside of the EU and buying online, including informing consumers how to check where a business is based, and advising consumers to check the policies of businesses outside of the EU. The information is available at www.ccpc.ie.
My Department does not compile statistics on consumer spending on e-commerce in the State or purchases from companies located outside the State. For completeness, my officials reached out to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
Whilst it does not publish figures in the exact way the Deputy has phrased her question, the CSO does publish information on Household Digital Consumer Behaviour, which can be found XXX. E.G. in 2024 clothes, shoes, or accessories, including bags, jewelry, etc. continued to be the most common purchase online according to 77% of internet users.
402. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures he will take to rectify the imbalance in obligations for product take-back and recycling between domestic retailers and distance sellers; and the way in which Comisiún na Meán will assist in creating a fairer environment for businesses in Ireland that comply with these schemes. [52133/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s work in relation to the broader Circular Economy can be seen in the transposition and embedding of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulations, which are the cornerstone of the EU Commission’s approach to more environmentally sustainable and circular products. My Department is also working on the transposition of the both the Green Transition and the Right to Repair Directives. All three form part of a package of initiatives set out at EU level following on from the Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal.
Product take-back and recycling obligations in themselves do not form part of my Department’s remit. Product take-back and recycling obligations are part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, which applies to multiple sectors and product categories, which, in general, fall to my colleague the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment.
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework is a policy approach that places the responsibility for the end-of-life management of products on producers. The goal is to shift the burden of waste management from consumers to producers, encouraging more sustainable product design and waste reduction.
As to the Deputy’s question regarding Coimisiún na Meán, this organisation does not fall under the remit of my Department, but rather that of my colleague the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.
403. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will confirm that health supports for survivors under the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025 will be delivered to a Health (Amendment) Act-standard in practice, including a published list of covered services and referral pathways; if she will set out (i) the go-live date for issuing the first cards/entitlements, (ii) KPIs for processing times and uptake, and (iii) how overseas survivors will access equivalent supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51884/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra404. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will bring forward proposals to provide a payment for eligible survivors of Industrial and Reformatory Schools that is equivalent to the maximum State Pension (Contributory) at pension age, in recognition of unpaid child labour in State-supervised institutions; the estimated number of potential beneficiaries; the projected annual and five-year costs under low/central/high scenarios; the administrative mechanism to deliver the payment without PRSI retrospection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51887/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra493. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware of a situation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51878/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra499. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to publish the cross-departmental implementation plan for the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025, including; the commencement dates by section; the allocated 2025 and 2026 budgets and staffing; the service access model for survivors in Ireland and abroad; the guidance to the HSE and other delivery bodies; and the schedule for quarterly public reporting on uptake and outcomes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51885/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take PQs 403 , 404 , 493 and 499 together.
I am very conscious of the enormous trauma which has been endured by all survivors of abuse.
I recently met with the group referred to by the Deputy so that I could hear directly from them. The Deputy may also wish to note that officials from my Department recently met with them to listen to their concerns and I also spoke with members of the group who were present during the passage of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025.
It is regrettable that they have chosen to take this action and I would urge them to safeguard their health and wellbeing.
The overall response of the State to this issue to date has been significant, and has included the establishment of a redress scheme, the provision of funding supports through Caranua and other initiatives.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025 completed its passage through the legislative process in July 2025. The purpose of the Act is to enable the delivery of ongoing health and education supports to survivors of abuse in residential institutions, such as industrial schools and reformatories, as approved by Government in June 2023.
It is estimated that approximately 10,000 survivors who previously received an award of redress from the Residential Institutions Redress Board, or a similar court award or settlement, will be eligible for the supports provided under the Act. My Department has also engaged Sage Advocacy, a specialist independent advocacy organisation, to provide advocacy supports to survivors wishing to engage with other relevant services. The provision of these supports marks a new phase in the State’s response to this issue.
The package of health supports and services which is provided for in this Bill will ensure survivors who are resident in the State will have access to a range of health supports through the HSE, including GP services, home nursing and home helps, chiropody and podiatry, and physiotherapy. This approach is consistent with the approach taken previously in respect of survivors and former residents of the Magdalen Laundries and Mother and Baby Institutions.
This entitlement will be for life and will not be subject to means-tests or periodic reviews.
Survivors living abroad will be able to avail of a payment of €3,000 in lieu of this package of supports, to support their health needs. This is the same approach taken in respect of the Mother and Baby Institutions.
With regard to the HAA card provided for under the Health (Amendment) Act 1996, this was introduced specifically to meet the very significant health needs of a group of individuals who had contracted a serious and life-threatening condition, i.e. individuals who had contracted Hepatitis C through the administration within the State of contaminated blood and blood products.
The Act also provides for the establishment of a new scheme involving the payment of cash grants ranging from €500 to €2,000 (depending on NFQ level and whether the course is full-time or part-time) to survivors who are engaging in further and higher education. This scheme will also ensure that survivors are not required to pay the Student Contribution Charge where this would otherwise apply.
My Department is finalising the administrative arrangements for the delivery of these supports and it is expected that they will be open for applications from survivors in the coming weeks.
With regard to pensions, it is acknowledged that some survivors have sought the provision of a pension-type payment similar to that provided to survivors of the Magdalen Laundries, and this matter was discussed in detail during the passage of the Act. However, it should be noted that those payments reflect the very particular circumstances involved, where the women were engaged, as adults, in some cases for many years, in commercial work without pay or the required social insurance contributions.
405. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will consider a request from persons who attended Ireland’s Industrial and Reformatory Schools (details supplied) to award them a medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51910/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra406. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will consider a request from persons who attended Ireland’s Industrial and Reformatory Schools (details supplied) to award them a full contributory state pension for work done as children, similar to the scheme in place for those who were in Magdalene Laundries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51911/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together.
I am very conscious of the enormous trauma which has been endured by all survivors of abuse.
I have made arrangements to meet with the group referred to by the Deputy so that I can hear directly from them. The Deputy may also wish to note that officials from my Department recently met with them to listen to their concerns and I also spoke with members of the group who were present during the passage of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025.
It is regrettable that they have chosen to take this action and I would urge them to safeguard their health and wellbeing.
The overall response of the State to this issue to date has been significant, and has included the establishment of a redress scheme, the provision of funding supports through Caranua and other initiatives.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025 completed its passage through the legislative process in July 2025. The purpose of the Act is to enable the delivery of ongoing health and education supports to survivors of abuse in residential institutions, such as industrial schools and reformatories, as approved by Government in June 2023.
It is estimated that approximately 10,000 survivors who previously received an award of redress from the Residential Institutions Redress Board, or a similar court award or settlement, will be eligible for the supports provided under the Act. My Department has also engaged Sage Advocacy, a specialist independent advocacy organisation, to provide advocacy supports to survivors wishing to engage with other relevant services. The provision of these supports marks a new phase in the State’s response to this issue.
The package of health supports and services which is provided for in this Bill will ensure survivors who are resident in the State will have access to a range of health supports through the HSE, including GP services, home nursing and home helps, chiropody and podiatry, and physiotherapy. This approach is consistent with the approach taken previously in respect of survivors and former residents of the Magdalen Laundries and Mother and Baby Institutions.
This entitlement will be for life and will not be subject to means-tests or periodic reviews.
Survivors living abroad will be able to avail of a payment of €3,000 in lieu of this package of supports, to support their health needs. This is the same approach taken in respect of the Mother and Baby Institutions.
With regard to the HAA card provided for under the Health (Amendment) Act 1996, it is important to note that this was introduced specifically to meet the very significant health needs of a particular group of individuals who had contracted a serious and life-threatening condition, i.e. individuals who had contracted Hepatitis C through the administration within the State of contaminated blood and blood products.
The Act also provides for the establishment of a new scheme involving the payment of cash grants ranging from €500 to €2,000 (depending on NFQ level and whether the course is full-time or part-time) to survivors who are engaging in further and higher education. This scheme will also ensure that survivors are not required to pay the Student Contribution Charge where this would otherwise apply.
My Department is finalising the administrative arrangements for the delivery of these supports and it is expected that they will be open for applications from survivors in the coming weeks.
With regard to pensions, it is acknowledged that some survivors have sought the provision of a pension-type payment similar to that provided to survivors of the Magdalen Laundries, and this matter was discussed in detail during the passage of the Act. However, it should be noted that those payments reflect the very particular circumstances involved, where the women were engaged, as adults, in some cases for many years, in commercial work without pay or the required social insurance contributions.
407. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if two school bus tickets will be re-issued (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51107/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes, including the issuing of tickets. Bus Éireann have advised that two tickets issued by post on 04 September 2025 to the address provided by the Deputy.
If the family have still not received their tickets they can call Bus Éireann’s Customer Call Centre at 0818 919 910, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm They can also visit: [www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport] or use the online contact form.
408. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the national small schools project will continue after 2026; if it will be extended to include more small rural schools that could greatly benefit from it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51119/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government provides for a number of measures to support small schools, including introducing a new national small schools' project and trialling new administrative supports. The Government is very aware that small schools are an important part of the life of local communities.
The current small schools' action research project established in 2021 is due to conclude at the end of this school year. The project has brought small schools together in local clusters, enabling them to collaborate, identify common challenges and trial innovative solutions.
It includes six clusters of small schools, two in Galway and one each in Donegal, Kerry, Wicklow and Waterford, consisting of between three and five schools per cluster. The interim evaluation report identifies potential areas for closer collaboration and an analysis of the scalability of actions already undertaken. As the project progresses a further evaluation will take place.
Learnings from the evaluation of the current project will be invaluable and form a strong basis to inform the future policy direction in relation to all small schools, including how the Programme for Government Commitment can be delivered.
409. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she is aware that a fashion competition (details supplied) is now charging schools a fee of €1,000 euro to enter, despite this being free in previous years, due to insufficient Government funding; and the measures she is taking to ensure that schools are not faced with this fee for the coming year, ensuring that costs will not be a barrier for school children to enter the competition. [51120/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEducation for Sustainable Development (ESD) Funding
My department delivered a total of €466,000 to 21 organisations in June this year, following an open call, to support the delivery of ESD in schools. A list of the projects funded is available on the ESD to 2030 webpage: [National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland]
These organisations received funding from my department in order to increase teacher professional learning, accelerate local level action, develop resources and deliver workshops and programmes that support implementation of our ESD to 2030 strategy in schools. These organisations include An Taisce/ Green Schools, ECO UNESCO, the Picker Pals programme, Biodiversity in Schools, Heritage in Schools, Wool in Schools, Farmer Time programme and Education for Sustainability among others. The organisation referred to by the Deputy did not apply for funding under this ESD call.
There are a wide range of organisations, NGOs, Not for Profit organisations and private companies providing programmes for schools in the area of Sustainable Development. Some of these programmes are in receipt of funding from other Government Departments. We would note for example that the An Taisce/ Green Schools programme which engages with circa 88% of schools, receives its core funding from the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment while the WorldWise Global Schools programme is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs/ Irish Aid.
Choices regarding educational materials, textbooks and other educational products/initiatives/ programmes are made by individual schools and their boards of management, not by the department. In general, it is the current policy of the department not to endorse publications, products or services from individual, commercial or other providers. The department does not recommend any specific services to schools and allows schools and teachers to determine the most appropriate programmes for their students, bearing in mind any costs that might be associated for participating in particular programmes.
My department has recently issued an open call for funding for recognised primary and post-primary schools for ESD projects. The call has been published on the ESD to 2030 webpage which can be accessed at the following link: [National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development in Ireland]. The closing date for applications is Friday 17th of October 2025.
There is a total ESD fund of €450,000 available for schools. The priority criteria for ESD funding this year are projects focused on "Local and Community Level Action" and which include an element of Teacher Professional Learning. Other criteria are set out in the funding call/ application form.
410. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a school building project (details supplied) for four classrooms and an SEN base is stalled at Stage 2B since January 2025 and awaiting approval to put the project out to tender. [51137/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved funding under the Additional School Accommodation scheme to provide four mainstream classrooms (2 prefab replacements), a two classroom special educational needs base and ancillary accommodation.
The Stage 2b (detailed design) report was received by the Department in August 2024. Following a thorough review by Department officials, further information was requested prior to authorising progression to Stage 3 (tender). A response from the school was received in April 2025.
The latest information is being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. All projects, including this one, are subjected to the required due diligence as specified in the Department's infrastructure guidelines. All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the public Infrastructure Guidelines.
Furthermore, as part of the National Development Plan (NDP) allocation my department will place a strong emphasis on provision for children with special educational needs, with a particular focus on meeting annual school place needs. In relation to project rollout for Large Scale and Additional School Accommodation scheme projects, the approach will be to continue to maximise the capacity of the existing school estate as much as possible in the first instance and provide necessary additional capacity through targeted and prioritised project rollout over the course of 2026 to 2030 period to meet the most urgent and prioritised needs.
My department is now preparing an NDP implementation plan which is due for publication later in the Autumn. This plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs.
The NDP implementation plan will be considered as part of the ongoing review of this school building project. Once the NDP implementation plan is finalised my Department will be in a position to inform the school of the outcome regarding the progression of this project.
411. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will engage with Bus Éireann in relation to the lack of response and lack of specific case details following queries from Oireachtas members about school transport places (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51147/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
At the outset, it's important to state that both the department and Bus Éireann acknowledges and appreciates the role of Oireachtas members in making representations on behalf of their constituents, and indeed recognise the role of Oireachtas members in communicating ongoing developments regarding the provision of school transport across the country.
The school transport scheme has expanded significantly over the past six years. In that time, the numbers of children and young people using the service have grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to almost 178,000 pupils in 2025, which equates to an increase of 48%. A total of 1,549 routes were also tendered by Bus Éireann during the summer.
In line with such scaling of operations, there has understandably also been an increase in representations. Bus Éireann have advised that representations received by them this year have increased by 50% since last year.
Given the particular increase in representations to Bus Éireann in advance of the commencement of the new school year, combined with the routine administrative work in relation to school transport provision generally, regrettably, it has not been feasible to deal with the increased volume of representations in a more timely manner. It is acknowledged that improvements are required in the management of representations and this is something I, my department and Bus Éireann are cognisant of and are working to resolve.
Bus Éireann also has a dedicated customer service operation in place to assist members of the public seeking updates on their school transport applications and the operation of services more generally.
412. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether funding will be made available to recognise programmes which teach fifth and sixth class primary school students on business and entrepreneurial skills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51148/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department does not currently have a grant scheme process for programmes such as these as choices regarding educational materials, textbooks and other educational products/programmes, as well as digital and online services, are made by individual schools and their boards of management, not by the Department. In general, it is the current policy of the Department of Education and Youth not to endorse publications, products or services from individual, commercial or other providers.
For this reason, the Department does not recommend any specific books or resources to schools and allows schools and teachers to determine the most appropriate materials for their pupils.
The only requirement from the Department, on any resource used in a school, is that it covers the curriculum. Ultimately, the decision on which textbook and resources, if any, most appropriately supports the curriculum, rests with the school itself.
413. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the provision of an autism class for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51159/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
My department works closely with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. Building on successive budgets, Budget 2025 secured funding for up to 400 new special classes in mainstream schools, and an additional 300 special school places for the 2025/26 school year. Together his has delivered 2,700 new places. The NCSE is satisfied that this level of new provision is sufficient to meet the known needs of students for the 2025/26 school year.
In order to ensure new special classes can open as quickly as possible the NCSE prioritise working with medium and larger primary schools who do not already have a special class and have available accommodation to accommodate new special class. This approach maximises the use of existing space which can be reconfigured efficiently while also ensuring that new provision continues to be established. It also increases number of schools with special classes providing parents with greater choice and reducing the distances that some children are travelling to access a special class place.
Looking forward my department and the NCSE have begun preparatory work in relation to planning for the provision of further new special class and special school places for the 2026/27 school year and beyond.
The need for new special educational provision is identified with consideration to demographical and statistical data and in regard to an areas existing school provision and future capability. In addition, part of the forward planning process as to where new classes, schools or expansion is required looks at how far students are travelling to access an education appropriate to their needs. This is an important factor which has been incorporated into the decision-making process. Consideration is also given to the information the NCSE hold at local level on the number of children seeking a special school place in a region.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning going forward and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. An earlier date of 1 October has been set in which parents must do so.
This notification will provide the NCSE with valuable information as to which children will continue to require a special class as they progress to post-primary level and details on students who require a place for the first time. The NCSE is actively communicating this requirement nationally also.
The earlier date will allow for earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year, and it is the aim of the NCSE to sanction the majority of new special classes by 31 December 2025.
Parents can make initial contact, submit reports and provide consent forms directly via the NCSE’s [website,] emailing [parentsnotify@ncse.ie] or calling 01 603 3346.
414. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on her Department's policy on the use of artificial intelligence in schools. [51181/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is a need to ensure careful consideration about the use of AI in all aspects of teaching, learning and assessment, and that teachers and school leaders have the necessary resources and information to support them. While AI has the potential to enhance education and inclusion, there are also issues and challenges with its use.
The Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 and its associated Implementation Plan set out the Departments policy on embedding the use of digital technology in teaching and learning. Pillar 3 of the Strategy sets out the commitment to consider and take account of emerging trends in the area of digital technologies in education and to develop appropriate and relevant guidance when required.
To this end the Department of Education with the support of Oide Technology in Education, is currently finalising guidance on the use of AI in teaching and learning. It is intended that this guidance will be published and circulated to schools shortly. It will provide information on the opportunities and risks associated with the use of AI and highlight what should be taken into consideration to inform schools and teachers on AI in education, and when considering the use of AI, to do so in a safe, ethical and responsible manner.
Extensive information and support for school leaders and teachers on AI in education can be found on the Oide TiE website at their dedicated AI hub. This includes resources developed through participation by OIDE-TiE in an EU project, AI4T, the EU Ethical Guidelines for Using AI in Teaching & Learning, and the UNESCO Guidance for generative AI in education and research.
Formal approval has issued from the EU Commission for a multi-country Technical Support Instrument (TSI) “Project Futureproof Education: Supporting schools in the AI evolution” with six partner jurisdictions, including Ireland. This project will support the development of strategies and tools for AI implementation in school education, providing guidance and tools to schools for ethical AI usage, enhancing digital literacy and inclusivity.
The Department is also examining what other Member States are doing in this space. Ongoing research, EU and national regulatory changes, and insights from Coimisiún na Meán and the AI Advisory Council will continue to guide the Department's efforts to assist schools and teachers in navigating the challenges and opportunities AI can bring to education.
415. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total sum in ICT grants to primary and secondary schools respectively for each of the years 2020 to 2024; if all schools availed of these grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51182/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra[Attachment omitted]
416. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on additional pilot school transport schemes for the 2025/2026 year; if it is envisaged that further services will be provided during this school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51183/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Already over 178,000 tickets have issued for the 2025/2026 school year, which is over 5,000 additional tickets when compared with the 2024/2025 school year.
As part of the recommendations of Review 2030, a Review of the School Transport Scheme, a number of School Transport pilot programmes began in the 2024/2025 school year. These pilots are continuing for the current school year.
Changes as recommended in the review will take time and careful planning to implement. The recommended action as part of the review is to implement any changes on a phased basis. It was outlined at the time of the publication of the review that, given that the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria are likely to further increase demand for the scheme, it is considered prudent to implement the proposed scheme changes on a phased basis.
For the 2025/2026 school year, In line with the recommendations arising from the review of the school transport scheme, the School Transport Section of the Department engaged with Bus Éireann to assess and identify where more School Transport pilot programmes could be successfully delivered.
A small number of new pilots have been selected, and the Department has provided sanction to Bus Éireann to review where additional capacity may be available for concessionary pupils who paid on time and would become eligible if the revised school transport scheme criteria was rolled out in full.
This is to pilot the revised scheme eligibility criteria in those areas.
Some of these pilots are up and running and the remainder are going through procurement. The sourcing of additional capacity can take time where a procurement process is required, and subsequent vehicle and Driver safety compliance checks need to be completed.
Once a pilot route is established in an area, pupils travelling on this pilot route will still be considered as concessionary under the current terms of the scheme; the revised eligibility criteria is being tested only for the duration of the pilot projects.
As part of these pilot routes, the distance criteria for pupils will be reduced to 2km for both primary and post primary and the requirement for a pupil to be attending their closest school is removed.
These pilots will provide valuable insights on the impact increased demand will have on the scheme, the potential to integrate public transport services with school transport services, and the facilitation of more sustainable modes of transport.
These insights will give an indication of the scale of planning and implementation required for a national roll out of a revised School Transport Scheme, to include the integration of public transport and school transport services.
Priority is given to provide school transport to pupils that are eligible under the current terms of the school transport scheme. Provision of additional services as pilot projects will be subject to the availability of vehicles and drivers in each area. Implementation of the recommendations of the review will continue to be planned subject to resources being available to meet the increased demand.
417. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the remote area grant will be offered to families whose children qualify for a concessionary school bus ticket; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51204/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
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.
The remote area grant can only be considered where a child is eligible for transport in the first instance, so does not apply to concessionary pupils.
418. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the implementation of the school transport review, especially the implementation to the changes of the radius for post primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51205/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport 2030 report was published in early 2024 following a comprehensive analysis and review of the scheme as it currently operates. The recommended changes to the future operation of the schemes include expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges and moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure the best value for money to the Exchequer. It is proposed to expand access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030.
The scale of the scheme is significant, and any changes will take time to plan and implement.
It was outlined at the time of the review’s publication that it would be prudent to implement the scheme changes on a phased basis.
A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann . A total of 14 pilot projects took place in the 2024/2025 school year
These pilots are being evaluated to provide valuable insights into the impact of increased demand on the scheme, the potential for integrating public transport with school transport services, and opportunities to promote more sustainable modes of transport.
It is intended to continue current pilots for the 2025/26 school year.? They will be monitored during the year and a further evaluation will take place at the end of the 2025/2026 school year.? The findings from these evaluations will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme.
My Department together with Bus Éireann is working to identify where further pilot programmes might be conducted subject to resources. The Department has asked Bus Éireann to review where additional capacity may be available for concessionary pupils who paid on time and would become eligible if the revised school transport scheme criteria was rolled out in full. This is in order to pilot the revised scheme eligibility criteria in a small number of areas. Sourcing of additional capacity can take time where a procurement process is required, and subsequent vehicle and Driver safety compliance checks need to be completed.
A number of approaches are being examined including the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify how many additional children would become eligible and where they are located. A digital mapping project of all existing school bus routes is being developed and there is ongoing collaboration with the Department of Transport, Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority in regard to planned expansion of public transport routes to explore where integration may be possible.
Priority is to provide school transport to pupils that are eligible under the current terms of the school transport scheme. Provision of additional services as pilot projects will be subject to the availability of vehicles and drivers in each area. Implementation of the recommendations of the review will continue to be planned subject to resources being available to meet the increased demand.
419. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the criteria used to select the pilot areas for the school transport review pilot scheme in 2024/2025. [51206/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra420. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will consider additional schools or areas for inclusion in the next phase of the school transport review pilot scheme; and if so, the application process for a school or community to express an interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51207/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Changes as recommended in the review will take time and careful planning to implement. The recommended action as part of the review is to implement any changes on a phased basis. It was outlined at the time of the publication of the review that, given that the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria are likely to further increase demand for the scheme, it is considered prudent to implement the proposed scheme changes on a phased basis.
As part of the recommendations of Review 2030, a Review of the School Transport Scheme, a number of School Transport pilot programmes began in the 2024/2025 school year. These pilots are continuing for the current school year.
The integrated pilot was selected to assess the benefits of integrating school and public transport for post primary students. The area was already earmarked by the National Transport Authority for capacity enhancements, there are a number of post primary schools on the route and dedicated school transport services were operating along the corridor.
It utilises the cross functional experience and knowledge that Bus Éireann has developed from its years of administration and operation of the School Transport scheme, alongside its network of commercial and PSO services nationwide.
The School Transport Scheme and Public Transport integration project is a joint effort between the Department of Education and the Department of Transport, supported by the National Transport Authority and Bus Éireann.
Dedicated school pilots were identified in consultation with Bus Éireann, families and local representatives, where it was possible to pilot the revised scheme criteria for pupils who would become eligible under such revised criteria.
For the 2025/2026 school year, In line with the recommendations arising from the review of the school transport scheme, the School Transport Section of the Department engaged with Bus Éireann to assess and identify where more School Transport pilot programmes could be successfully delivered.
A small number of pilots have been selected, and the Department has provided sanction to Bus Éireann to review where additional capacity may be available for concessionary pupils who paid on time and would become eligible if the revised school transport scheme criteria was rolled out in full.
This is to pilot the revised scheme eligibility criteria in a small number of areas.
Sourcing of additional capacity can take time where a procurement process is required, and subsequent vehicle and Driver safety compliance checks need to be completed.
Once a pilot route is established in an area, pupils travelling on this pilot route will still be considered as concessionary under the current terms of the scheme; the revised eligibility criteria is being tested only for the duration of the pilot projects.
As part of these pilot routes, the distance criteria for pupils will be reduced to 2km for both primary and post primary and the requirement for a pupil to be attending their closest school is removed.
These pilots will provide valuable insights on the impact increased demand will have on the scheme, the potential to integrate public transport services with school transport services, and the facilitation of more sustainable modes of transport.
These insights will give an indication of the scale of planning and implementation required for a national roll out of a revised School Transport Scheme, to include the integration of public transport and school transport services.
Priority is given to provide school transport to pupils that are eligible under the current terms of the school transport scheme. Provision of additional services as pilot projects will be subject to the availability of vehicles and drivers in each area. Implementation of the recommendations of the review will continue to be planned subject to resources being available to meet the increased demand.
