Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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482. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport costs for a family (details supplied) will be capped to the overall family maximum is €650 in view of their situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9854/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.

In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.

Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann has confirmed that the family to whom the Deputy refers reside 6.5kms from their nearest post primary school and 15.7kms from the school they are attending. As this family is not attending their nearest school they are not eligible for school transport and are considered concessionary pupils.

Bus Eireann has advised that this family reside 1.9kms from the route of an existing scheduled public service. As this family is concessionary for school transport purposes they cannot be issued with School Transport Scheme tickets for use on public scheduled services.