Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
655. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to specify how the €69 million allocated in Budget 2026 will be expended in relation to the measures outlined in the School Transport Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12303/26]
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 my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children.
In the current school year over 181,000 children and young people are being transported on a daily basis to schools throughout the country.
Close to €70m of additional permanent funding is being allocated to school transport services. This is to provide for the additional demand for pupils with special educational needs on school transport services and increased bus contractor running costs.
It will also provide for additional funding on the School Transport Scheme fleet, and to work towards implementing improved technology such as planning for e-ticketing on school transport services. E-ticketing will enhance students’ experiences on school transport and allow for greater visibility on seat usage. With better data, this will inform future route planning and maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the system.
