Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2023
181. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education the position in relation to school transport services for students attending a particular school (details supplied) from outside its catchment area because that school is the only school capable of accommodating the excess student population in the area; if all such students will be provided with transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22252/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine. The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m. 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. Under the terms of the Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. 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. Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should apply on-line in a timely manner to Bus Éireann on Bus Éireann’s website at www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport
The closing date for new applications in respect of the 2023/2024 school year was 28th April 2023 and the closing date for payment for all applicants is 9th June 2023. Once the payment closing date has passed, Bus Éireann will review applications and plan routes during the summer months for the upcoming school year. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme and 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 concessionary basis;
In cases where the Department is satisfied that a family's nearest and next nearest schools are full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance pupils reside from their next nearest school(s) having regard to ethos and language.
To establish that the nearest and next nearest schools are full, families must provide:-
• The detailed steps taken to enrol your child in the nearest and next nearest schools.
• Evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school(s) and
• A letter from the School Authorities confirming that the school was full at time of enrolment.
This documentation can be sent to school transport section at the address below for consideration to school_transport@education.gov.ie
