Seán Sherlock
Question:203. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of a school transport appeal for an individual (details supplied). [18592/24]
View answerThursday, 25 April 2024
Questions (203)
Written answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.
In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils traveling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are 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.
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.
The family to whom the Deputy refers, was offered School Transport under the scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs but did not accept transport. The family applied for the Special Transport Grant in lieu of school transport and correspondence issued recently in regard to this from School Transport Section of my Department.
Decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes may be appealed to the School Transport Appeals Board. The School Transport Appeals Board is independent of my Department. Under the terms of reference of the Board, the Board determines appeals against decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education and Skills regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes.
To date, an appeal has not been submitted by the family to the School Transport Appeals Board.