Budget 2023 – Additional money for school transport to help you and your family with the cost of living

Budget 2023 will support the roll out of school transport tickets to those families who have applied on time, including those families on concessionary tickets, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on Education, Science and Innovation, Senator Aisling Dolan said, “Myself and my Fine Gael colleagues, Senators Tim Lombard and John McGahon, brought forward a Private Members Motion calling for extra capacity to be made available to families who have submitted applications to the School Transport Scheme.

“Within my own constituency, I have met with families all over Galway and Roscommon who have had to give up jobs to manage school drop off and pick ups. This has been a particularly challenging time for the students and their families.

“Of the €100 million in Budget 2023 for once off measures, €90 million will be allocated to schools for measures such as heating and €10 million will go towards fuel for school transport providers in light of rising costs.

Seanad spokesperson on Climate, Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Senator John McGahon said, “A rise in the cost of living should never hinder education opportunities. This funding will assist parents with those challenges and ease the burden.

“Minister for Education Norma Foley confirmed that there is an agreement around funding in relation to concessionary tickets and that this will be demand led. This is an extremely positive step in the right direction and will provide comfort to families across Ireland.

Senator Tim Lombard concluded, “Fine Gael want to help families out their children through school and this budget is designed to reach those most vulnerable and the squeezed middle.”