Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
519. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if additional school transport pilot routes have been added for the 2026-2027 school year to further expand the rollout of the scheme and to address identifiable need in hotspot areas where concessionary demand is greatest, such as students attending a school (details supplied) from the Annacurra and Aughrim area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72524/25]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The scheme has expanded significantly over the past six years. In that time, the numbers of children and young people using the service have grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to over 180,000 pupils in 2025, which equates to an increase of close to 50%.
Under the current terms of the schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for. Where demand exceeds available tickets, Bus Éireann will allocate tickets using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that pupils in the Aughrim and Annacurra areas are considered concessionary to Coláiste Bhríde Carnew. Currently there are 3 services operating from these areas.
The School Transport 2030 report was published in early 2024 following a comprehensive analysis and review of the scheme as it currently operates. The recommended changes to the schemes include expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges and moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure the best value for money to the Exchequer. It is proposed to expand access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030. It was outlined at the time of the review’s publication that due to the scale of the scheme it would be prudent to implement the changes on a phased basis.
A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann.? A total of 14 pilot projects took place that year and will continue for the 2025/2026 school year.
Following the closing date for payment for the 2025/2026 school year the Department, in collaboration with Bus Éireann, assessed where dedicated school transport/pilots may be successfully delivered, and a further 11 pilots were approved. The Department has asked Bus Éireann to review where additional capacity may be available for concessionary pupils who paid on time and would become eligible if the revised school transport scheme criteria was rolled out in full.
Due to ongoing challenges in the wider transport sector, including availability of drivers and vehicles, any expansion of services must be carefully planned and phased. While pilot projects are being considered in select areas to test revised eligibility criteria, these pilots are limited in scope and capacity.
All pilots – including those which commenced in the 2024/2025 school year – are being monitored and a further evaluation will take place at the end of the 2025/2026 school year. Findings from these evaluations will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme.
Implementation of the recommendations of the review will continue to be planned subject to resources being available to meet the increased demand.
