Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 April 2026
1381. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of students in County Meath who have availed of the school transport scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2025 and to date 2026; the available capacity for the year 2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25264/26]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
It is made up of the Mainstream scheme at Primary and Post Primary level, as well as the scheme for pupils with Special Educational Needs.
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 181,000 pupils in 2025, which equates to an increase of close to 50%.
The data requested by the Deputy is provided in the attached table. The figures include total number of tickets issued across the Mainstream and special educational needs schemes for the 2019/20 school year to the latest period of data available for the 2025/26 school year.
The scheme is demand-led based on the number of children who apply. Families are required to register their details on the Bus Éireann Family Portal to have their eligibility for transport assessed and to make applications under the scheme: www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport
The Portal for the 2026/27 school year is now open for mainstream applications and payments. The closing date for payments or entering medical card details is Friday 08 May 2026. Applications or payments/medical card details received after this date will be considered late.
While there is a closing date, applications for the special educational needs scheme are accepted all year round, and every effort will be made to source transport after the closing date. Parents are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. Further information on the scheme can be found at www.gov.ie/schooltransport
After the closing date, the portal will close. This will give Bus Éireann time to assess all applications and plan for routes and services for the 2026/27 school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
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Total Number of Tickets Issued in Meath School Years 2019/20-2025/26* |
|
School Year |
Number of Tickets |
|
2019/2020 |
5,198 |
|
2020/2021 |
4,957 |
|
2021/2022 |
5,256 |
|
2022/2023 |
6,589 |
|
2023/2024 |
7,011 |
|
2024/2025 |
7,403 |
|
2025/2026 |
7,859 |
