AQW 12383/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 22/05/2024
Answered On Date: 03/06/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education why statutory nursery schools are unable to access Education Authority bus services.

Answer:

The Education Authority (EA) is required to provide transport assistance to eligible pupils at grant aided schools under Article 52 (in conjunction with Article 44) of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (as substituted), in accordance with arrangements approved by the Department of Education (DE).

Eligibility for transport assistance is determined by the EA in line with the policy arrangements set out in the DE Circular 1996/41. Under this policy, pupils below compulsory school age, including those in reception classes, are not eligible for assistance with transport.