Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
192. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider reviewing the school transport arrangements serving schools in County Louth (details supplied); if she will examine the feasibility of a coordinated transport system to reduce congestion and emissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70542/25]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally. This includes the sharing of services to facilitate more than one school.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
In order to assess the need for school transport to each school, families need to apply and pay by the deadline date for the upcoming school year.
Following the closing date for payment or entering medical card details, the Bus Éireann family portal will close. This will give Bus Éireann time to assess all applications and plan for routes and services for the 2026/2027 school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year. As mentioned above, this can include the sharing of services to facilitate more than one school.
Details on the application and payment deadlines for the 2026/27 school year will be announced shortly.
