Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
416. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Education if her Department and Bus Éireann will consider establishing a special communications unit to deal with specific queries around school transport (details supplied) that liaises with the local inspectors and management to provide clear and expedient replies to parents and school management. [11948/24]
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 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling 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.
Bus Éireann has again this year put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. The call centre details are published on Bus Éireann's website.
Families can also contact Bus Éireann by submitting a query via the following link www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=290#contact. On receipt of this form, a member of Bus Éireann staff will look into the query and revert directly
In relation to queries from TDs and Senators, Bus Éireann has provided a dedicated email address for use exclusively by Oireachtas Members in order to assist with queries they may have, which is reps@buseireann.ie
My Department also has a dedicated email address for use exclusively by Oireachtas Members in order to assist with queries, which is oireachtasqueries@education.gov.ie
If families have queries relating to transport for children with special educational needs please contact School Transport Section, Department of Education at: Email: school_transport@education.gov.ie.
