AQW 33815/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 17/10/2025
Answered On Date: 04/11/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the re-commencement of the Home to School Transport Review.

Answer:

A review of the Home to School Transport Policy was initiated by DE in 2018; however, this process was paused by the then Minister due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently suspended pending the outcome of the Independent Review of Education.

The transport policy is extensive in scope and affects a significant number of families, with over 90,000 pupils availing of free school transport each day. It underpins other departmental policies, including school attendance, and provides essential support for many pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Any amendments to the policy criteria have the potential to substantially increase or decrease the number of pupils eligible for free transport. Therefore, any such proposals must be carefully considered within the framework of a full policy review to assess their impact on children and families and to establish the associated financial implications.

I am committed to improving school transport and I want to carry out a review of the transport policy as I feel many of its outworkings can provide challenges and frustrations for parents. Currently, my officials are conducting a scoping exercise to examine key aspects of school transport where improvement is needed. The cost of delivering school transport is considerable, exceeding £120 million in the 2023/24 financial year and due to significant budgetary constraints currently facing the education sector, any policy proposals which may increase the numbers eligible for transport must be carefully evaluated for affordability. My decision on the timing of a comprehensive review of the DE transport policy will be made within the broader strategic and financial context.