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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 €289 million in 2021. In the region of 5,800 vehicles are operated by private contractors under contract to Bus Éireann for the provision of school transport scheme services.
With regard to the increasing price of fuel in recent months, the Department of Education has been liaising with other relevant departments and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on this matter and is pleased to confirm that a contribution at a total cost of €5.3 million will be provided to address the impact of the increased cost of fuel for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of 2022 for contractors operating on the department’s school transport scheme.
The Minister for Education Norma Foley said:
“I am aware that a number of contractors have highlighted concerns about the ability to sustain school transport services given the recent increases in the cost of fuel. I welcome this payment of €5.3 million which will go some way to address the impact of the increased cost of fuel for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of 2022.”
The contribution is a temporary measure and the position with regard to fuel costs will continue to be kept under review.