Fifty-five school transport appeals still live

A total of 55 School Transport Scheme appeals from Cavan are still being assessed, according to the Department for Education.

The cases concern the right to a seat on a public school bus under the terms of the scheme are before the independent School Transport Appeals Board.

The rise in the number of appeals to the Board follows the decision by government in July 2022 to waive school transport scheme fees for the current school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.

It saw almost 130,000 applications for tickets for the 2022/23 school year, which closed toward the end of July. This figure included 44,299 new applications, as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.

There are 32 such appeals in existence in Monaghan, 27 in Leitrim, 11 in Longford, and 102 in Meath.

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

Bus Éireann says it is also continuing to provide School Transport Scheme services for children arriving to Ireland from Ukraine.

They say every effort has been made to ensure school bus services are up and running as required.

However, given the ongoing movement and arrival of families to the country, it may in some cases take time to arrange additional school transport.

Last week the Department of Education confirmed that, as of January 31, there were 14,482 Ukrainian pupils enrolled in Irish schools.

Out of that figure, 9,334 of these pupils have been accommodated in primary schools, while 5,148 pupils have enrolled in post-primary schools.

This includes 220 primary and 90 post-primary students in Cavan; 63 primary and 30 post-primary students in Monaghan; 195 primary and 118 post-primary students in Leitrim; 57 primary and 57 post-primary students in Longford; and 273 primary and 118 post-primary students in Meath.

The department says that to “assist with the transition” of Ukrainian students and their families into Irish schools Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) “continue to operate”, hosted by the 16 regional education and training boards.

“These teams are ensuring that clear, accessible information flows are in place between schools, local education support services and national support structures in relation to people arriving from Ukraine.”