Michael McNamara
Question:347. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on a school transport service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61691/22]
View answerTuesday, 13 December 2022
Questions (347)
Written answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Bus Éireann has advised that they are sourcing a suitable contractor for the routes referred to by the Deputy and are currently undergoing the procurement process. Once a suitable contractor is sourced their Local Office will contact all the families concerned.