Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
593. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of school transport applications submitted in Waterford from 2022 to 2025; and the number of those applications that were approved during this period, in tabular form. [9842/26]
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 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.
The information is not readily available in the manner requested by the Deputy, however, 3042 tickets were issued to children and young people attending schools in Waterford in 2022. In 2025, 3492 tickets issued to children and young people attending schools in Waterford. Not all applications result in school transport places. Some families close their application, or receive a grant where there are less than 10 eligible applications and there is no service available, while others do not apply or pay in full before the deadline closing date.
The scheme is a demand led scheme based on the number of eligible children who apply.
Under the current terms of the mainstream scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2km from and are attending their nearest primary school, and reside not less than 4.8km from and are attending their nearest post primary centre, as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
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 of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
All eligible pupils have a service where one is available. Pupils who do not meet the eligibility criteria are considered concessionary pupils. Where concessionary pupils have applied and paid and time and there is a service available they will be accommodated. In the current school year there are approximately 100,000 eligible pupils and 50,000 concessionary pupils on mainstream services.
