Emer Currie
Question:532. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the eligibility criteria for school transport scheme eligibility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9151/26]
View answerTuesday, 10 February 2026
Questions (532)
Written answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
With regard to ethos, the Department of Education and Youth classifies schools as being one of the following - of religious denomination, interdenominational or multi-denominational.
At Post Primary level, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest post primary school/education centre subject to limited exceptions. The scheme has regard to ethos and language, in that exceptions to eligibility for the scheme, are considered in the case of minority religions and the Irish language.
The scheme at Post Primary level provides transport for children of minority religion for whom there is less choice of school given the dispersed nature of these schools and also facilitates the viability of those minority religion schools.
This ethos criteria does not apply to schools mentioned by the Deputy.