Written Answers Nos. 253-272
253. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who has been notified of a payroll overpayment due to an administrative error by her Department, in this case the employee's payslips did not record the number of hours worked; if this matter has been taken into account in assessing the overpayment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70402/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the employee concerned has been contacted directly by officials of my Department and has been provided with written confirmation of the overpayment, including the breakdown of how the overpayment arose and the period to which it relates.
The Department assesses all payroll overpayments on the basis of the available payroll and employment records. In this case, the circumstances surrounding the overpayment, including the information available to the employee through their payslips and payroll records, have been taken into account as part of the Department's engagement with the employee.
Department officials remain available to engage with the employee to clarify any aspect of the overpayment calculation, discuss the breakdown provided, and address any questions she may have in relation to the matter.
254. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth the policies and procedures governing the recovery of payroll overpayments arising from Departmental error in cases where the employee acted in good faith and had no knowledge that an overpayment was occurring; and is she will make a statement on the matter. [70404/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that, while overpayments may occasionally occur, officials of the Department do not have discretion to waive or write off an overpayment where the recipient was not responsible for the error that gave rise to it.
Government Departments and Offices are required to pursue the recovery of all overpayments and to put appropriate repayment arrangements in place, regardless of how the overpayment arose.
The Department of Education and Youth's policy and procedures governing the recovery of salary and pension overpayments are set out in Circular 0084/2015. This circular provides that overpayments should be repaid as soon as practicable and outlines the repayment options available to affected individuals.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 07/2018 notes that Departments and Offices are under an obligation to seek to recover the amount of the overpayment and to correct the mistake in the disbursement of public monies, subject to relevant procedures and practices in Government accounting. Staff members/former staff members/pensioners have a reciprocal obligation to repay.
I can advise the Deputy that officials in the NTS Payroll Section of my Department have engaged directly with the Secretary concerned to explain the position and to explore a repayment arrangement that is manageable and seeks to minimise the financial impact on the individual as far as possible.
255. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total annual cost arising from special education teachers (SETs) being required to travel between schools, broken down by travel expenses and the estimated cost of teaching time lost while travelling; and the total number of teaching hours lost annually in this regard. [70406/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department provides a payroll service to over 3,700 schools and the payment of travel expenses is one of these services.
In 2025, 717 primary school teachers received payment of travel expenses with an annual cost of €690,156. The travel expenses cost refers to teachers working in special education settings and on teacher supply panels. The information relating to expenses for teachers working in special education settings only is not available. Information relating to the estimated cost of teaching time lost while travelling; and the total number of teaching hours lost annually in this regard is not available.
256. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason an emergency works application by a school (details supplied) in Dublin 15 was refused; and if the application can be reviewed in light of the condition of the existing accommodation. [70414/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you maybe aware, the purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope works to address the emergency situation. The EWS is intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides only an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS) which deals with upgrade works to the school.
With regards to your recent EWS application, 6958, the school in question submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for life safety system works. As previously noted, the EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation and, on this basis, the school was advised, 01 October 2026, to submit a revised scope of works with an accompanying itemised cost breakdown. Once this has been received the EWS team will review the revised application and will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
257. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the funding streams available to post-primary schools seeking to undertake exterior repainting and improvement works; and whether funding may be available to a school (details supplied) seeking to undertake such works to improve the exterior of its building and school environment. [70475/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI should explain that applications relating to the provision of funding for issues relating to an existing school building can fall under a number of different delivery mechanisms including, most frequently, the Summer Works Scheme and the Emergency Works Scheme and could include the upgrade of a school’s external environment such as works to school yard or play areas. It should be noted however, these grants do not cover works that should be addressed by routine maintenance such as painting, it is open to the school to use their Minor works grant for this purpose.
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The EWS operates on the basis of the minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation. The EWS usually provides an interim solution until such time as a comprehensive solution can be provided under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS).
The purpose of the SWS is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis and, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school.
The Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (which was previously named the Summer Works Scheme) places a strong emphasis on sustainability. Schools can now undertake additional measures such as insulation upgrades, LED lighting installation, EV charger provision, bike rack facilities to support active travel and other climate-focused works alongside traditional maintenance.
The newly announced Climate Action Summer works opened for applications on the 1st of May, and the application window closed on the 30th of June 2025, full details of the scheme can be found under Summer Works Scheme: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/. The EWS is open for applications year-round. It is open to the school to make an application under the most appropriate scheme.
In the case of the school in question, it should be noted that my department have received applications under the CASWS for the upgrade of the mechanical services in the school and also for the upgrade/repair of windows under the EWS. Both of which are currently under review. No application has been received for the upgrade of the school's external environment.
258. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total amount allocated for the school transport scheme for exemption routes under the scheme from 2020 to date in 2026, by year, in tabular form. [70532/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
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 is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally. This includes the sharing of services to facilitate more than one school.
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 order to assess the need for school transport to each school, families need to apply and pay by the deadline date for the upcoming school year.
Following the closing date for payment or entering medical card details, the Bus Éireann family portal closes. Bus Éireann then assesses all applications and plans for routes and services for the upcoming school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
The information requested by the Deputy regarding the amount allocated to exemption routes under the school transport scheme is not available as 'exemption' routes are not a feature of the school transport scheme.
259. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total amount allocated for the school transport scheme for post-primary schools from 2020 to date in 2026, by year, in tabular form. [70531/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra260. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total amount allocated for the school transport scheme for primary schools from 2020 to date in 2026, by year, in tabular form. [70530/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra272. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total amount allocated for the school transport scheme for post-primary school from 2020 to date, broken down per year, in tabular form. [70534/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra273. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total amount allocated for the special education school transport scheme for post-primary school from 2020 to date, broken down per year, in tabular form. [70533/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 259, 260, 272 and 273 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth that has expanded significantly over the past six years. In that time, the numbers of children and young people using the service has grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to over 181,000 pupils including over 24,000 pupils with Special Educational Needs in 2026 which equates to an increase of over 50%.
While the breakdown of allocations requested by the Deputy are not available in the format requested, the total expenditure of the school transport scheme for the period 2020-2025 has been provided to the Deputy in parliamentary question 70528/26.
261. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total amount allocated for the school transport scheme from 2020 to date in 2026, by year, in tabular form. [70528/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth that has expanded significantly over the past six years. In that time, the numbers of children and young people using the service has grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to over 181,000 pupils including over 24,000 pupils with Special Educational Needs in 2026 which equates to an increase of over 50%.
The attached table outlines the total expenditure of the school transport scheme for the period 2020-2025. 2024 includes a prepayment of €58m under Cost-of-Living measures which was associated with expenditure in 2025. The estimated expenditure for the school transport scheme in 2026 is set to be over €600m.
262. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated additional funding her Department would receive if school transport tickets increased by 10%, 15% and 20%, in tabular form. [70545/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The scheme is demand led based on the number of children who apply and 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 over 181,000 pupils including over 24,000 pupils with Special Educational Needs in 2025 which equates to an increase of over 50%. Since 2018, investment in the scheme has more than doubled, from €200 million to €537 million.
The scheme is heavily subsidised, with the approximate cost to the State per mainstream pupil currently being €1,400 to €1,500 annually. The current estimated cost per SEN pupil is estimated at €13,400 to €15,000 annually.
It is important to note that currently, eligible children holding valid medical cards and eligible children with special educational needs are exempt from paying the annual charge. In addition, as the school transport scheme is a demand led scheme, the number of pupils availing each year vary. For this reason, it is not feasible to provide the data requested by the Deputy.
In the 2024/25 school year, the Department received €6.7 million in parental contributions and any increase in these contributions would reduce the cost of scheme to that amount.
263. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the total amount raised from school transport fees, broken down by primary and secondary school, per year from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [70544/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The scheme is demand led based on the number of children who apply and 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 over 181,000 pupils including over 24,000 pupils with Special Educational Needs in 2025 which equates to an increase of over 50%. Since 2018, investment in the scheme has more than doubled, from €200 million to €537 million in 2025.
It should be noted that the scheme is heavily subsidised, with over 92% of the overall cost covered. The approximate cost to the state per mainstream pupil is currently €1,400 annually.
The figures requested by the Deputy are listed below, however it is not possible to split these figures into primary and post primary as some families will submit payment for pupils attending both primary and post primary schools.
2020/2021 - €11,388,000 (includes refund for non-operation due to Covid-19).
2021/2022 - €12,835,000 (includes refund for non-operation due to Covid-19).
2022/2023 – Nil (free school transport).
2023/2024 - €6,489,000.
2024/2025 - €6,768,000.
264. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of bus escorts hired to support special education transport, broken down per year from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [70542/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The Board of Management/ETB are responsible for the employment of the school transport escort. The Department of Education and Youth provides grant funding directly to the school for the employment of the school transport escort and sets the rate of pay. This grant funding is paid in advance of the upcoming year so that schools have the funds available to pay school bus escorts.
School Transport Escort hours are determined locally by the Board of Management/ETB and may vary from school to school depending on the length of the journey for the child/children on the service, the number of children on the service and the opening/closing times of the school.
The detail requested by the Deputy is not available in the manner requested as there are a large number of escorts and sub escorts employed locally who work varying hours depending on the length of the journey to support children to and from school.
The number of escort hours funded by the Department for the years requested are as follows:
2020/2021 school year - over 2,000000 hours.
2021/2022 school year - over 2,500,000 hours.
2022/2023 school year - over 2,800,000 hours.
2023/2024 school year - over 3,300,000 hours.
2024/2025 school year - over 3,700,000 hours.
265. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the average number of students carried per vehicle school transport scheme routes, broken down per year from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [70541/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra269. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students availing of the school transport scheme, broken down per year from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [70536/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 269 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
As part of the operation of the scheme, Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme.
As of September 2026, 143,336 pupils travelled on mainstream services and 24,134 pupils travelled on dedicated services for children with special educational needs.
At this time the number and types of services carrying these pupils were as follows:
• Double decker - 47
• Large - 1,315
• Medium - 1,113
• Small - 3,049
• Taxi - 3,267
It is important to note that these figures are at a point in time and are subject to change.
266. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the average vehicle size used on school transport scheme routes, broken down per year from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [70540/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
As part of the operation of the scheme, Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme.
While it is not possible to provide the detail requested by the Deputy, the vehicle sizes used on the school transport scheme ranges from taxi to double deck vehicles. A table containing the number of vehicles in use is attached for reference.
Bus Éireann organises for vehicles to be full to capacity with tickets based on applications received and based on the seating capacity of the vehicle. It is not feasible to issue additional tickets over and above the seating capacity of the vehicle which could result in a potential overload situation arising and all pupils not being carried on the service.
|
Type of Vehicle |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026* |
|
Minibus |
2,093 |
2,268 |
2,481 |
2,683 |
2,839 |
3,019 |
3,049 |
|
Taxi |
1,563 |
1,751 |
1,944 |
2,269 |
2,722 |
3,102 |
3,267 |
|
Medium Bus |
1,136 |
949 |
1,009 |
1,072 |
1,207 |
1,108 |
1,113 |
|
Large Bus |
1,209 |
869 |
959 |
1,047 |
1,084 |
1,302 |
1,315 |
|
Double Decker |
38 |
43 |
40 |
45 |
45 |
48 |
47 |
|
Total |
6,039 |
5,880 |
6,433 |
7,116 |
7,897 |
8,579 |
8,791 |
*Figure accurate to September 2026
267. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students availing of concessionary school transport tickets, broken down per year from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [70539/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
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.
Eligible children who complete the application process and pay or enter their medical card details on time will get a seat on a school bus service, if a service is available.
Children who are not eligible for school transport but complete the application and pay or enter their medical card details on time will be considered for any spare seats available after eligible children have been accommodated. These spare seats were called concessionary seats, and are subject to the following conditions:
• an application is made by the deadline date
• there is an existing service in place
• there is spare capacity on the service;
• routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a non-eligible basis;
• no additional State cost will be incurred;
The availability of non-eligible transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s post primary school education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a non-eligible basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets using an agreed selection process.
The information requested by the Deputy has been provided by Bus Eireann and is set out in the attachment.
Number of Students Availing of Concessionary Transport
|
Year |
Mainstream |
SEN |
Total |
|
2020 |
30,429 |
78 |
30,507 |
|
2021 |
27,671 |
60 |
27,731 |
|
2022 |
29,997 |
57 |
30,054 |
|
2023 |
40,081 |
39 |
40,120 |
|
2024 |
41,469 |
49 |
41,518 |
|
2025 |
45,502 |
57 |
45,559 |
|
2026* |
49,746 |
52 |
49,798 |
* Please note the 2026 figure does not include concessionary tickets issued to date for the 26/27 school year. As at 28th September 2026 , 51,327 concessionary (non-eligible) tickets have been issued.
268. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students availing of the special transport grant, broken down per year from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [70538/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
Under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, a parent/guardian may avail of a Special Transport Grant (STG) for a child with special educational needs. A school transport application under the scheme must have been made before an STG can be considered.
Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors. Where the provision of a reasonable level of transport service is not possible, the STG towards the cost of private transport arrangements may be provided on the basis outlined below:
Bus Éireann is not in a position to arrange a reasonable level of service for the child.
the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) by reference to relevant professional reports or through information supplied by the relevant school authority, is satisfied that the nature of the child’s disability is such that they would be unable to avail of a time-tabled school bus service which picks up other children along the route.
The STG is also payable on an interim basis while a family is waiting for a service to commence or in the case of any disruptions to their service.
With effect from the start of the 2024/2025 school year the rate of the Special Transport Grant has increased as recommended in the review of the school transport scheme. The rate is now 41.80 cent for the first 6,437 kilometres travelled and 31.78 cent per kilometre for each kilometre travelled thereafter. There are currently no plans to review the STG rates on an annual basis.
The STG is calculated based on the number of days the pupil attends school over a specific period and is processed on receipt of a statement of attendance that has completed and verified by the pupil’s school. It can be paid out at three intervals during the school year, or at the end of the school year, whichever is preferable for the family.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attachment.
|
School Year |
Amount of STGs Paid out to Families |
|
2020/2021 |
1029 |
|
2021/2022 |
1164 |
|
2022/2023 |
1437 |
|
2023/2024 |
1490 |
|
2024/2025 |
1652 |
*2025/2026 total figure not currently available.
270. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of Bus Éireann owned vehicles versus private contractors on school transport routes, broken down per year from 2020 to date, in tabular form. [70535/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The School Transport Scheme is a demand led scheme based on the number of children who apply. Bus Éireann review all applications and payments after the closing date and assess the vehicle and contractor requirement based on the location of eligible applicants. The scheme is operated using a mix of Bus Éireann owned vehicles and private contractor vehicles.
As part of the operation of the scheme, Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme.
Bus Éireann has advised that they are preparing the data requested by the Deputy and that they will revert directly to the Deputy when this has been completed.
271. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the process involved between deciding a school needs additional modular accommodation, to delivering it; the measures that are being taken to reduce the length of time for this process while retaining good governance. [70525/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy, that modern methods of construction (MMC) are an increasingly important feature of the construction landscape in Ireland. My department's modular programme for accelerated delivery of school places is part of this.
The Department has a number of frameworks in place to deliver modular accommodation, all utilising modern methods of construction for the provision of Primary, Post Primary and Special Education Needs (SEN) school accommodation.
The timeframe for individual projects will vary depending on size, site conditions etc, and projects can typically be delivered in twelve months from inception to completion.
When a typical two classroom modular unit is brought to site, the time period required for handover to the school is in the region of 12-16 weeks.
Project specific issues can arise in some cases, which impact on the timeframe for project delivery – for example, availability of technical site surveyors and site works contractors. This reflects pressures in the construction sector generally and is not unique to modular projects.
A major benefit to my department is if modular units are no longer needed by a school authority, they can be relocated from one school to another, and this has taken place at a number of schools to date.
I can assure the Deputy, that following a determination of need for modular accommodation at a particular school, my officials aim to deliver this accommodation in a timely manner. My officials work closely with the assigned project managers throughout the process for this purpose.
