Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Niamh Smyth has welcomed plans to significantly overhaul the School Transport Scheme. Minister for Education Norma Foley published the review this week. It has recommended expanding access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried to school using the school transport scheme by 2030. The review also recommends significantly broadening eligibility criteria for the scheme by eliminating the requirement for students to attend their "nearest school" and also reducing the distance that a student must live from school from 4.8km to 2km at post-primary and from 3.2 km to 1km at primary.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Deputy Smyth said; "I welcome the recommendations contained in this long-awaited report. The School Transport 2030 review is going to allow almost 100,000 more pupils to use it by 2030, bringing the total to about 260,000 students. The significant broadening of the eligibility criteria will allow more families apply for the scheme.
"This is a vital scheme for families, particularly in rural Ireland. Some 77% of the 6,298 parents surveyed for the review said that they rely on the School Transport Scheme in order to attend work. This shows how important this scheme is for families. We also know what a huge part it plays in supporting rural connectivity and tackling rural deprivation."
She added she was heartened that Minister Foley confirmation that the charges for the school transport scheme will remain at the same reduced rates for the upcoming 2024 / 2025 school year. "The fee for a primary school child is €50 and for a post- primary school child is €75. The maximum fee for a family is €125. This is excellent value considering the actual cost to provide transport is €1,100 per child on mainstream transport per school year."
