Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
545. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) whose children have been deemed ineligible for school transport; if she will clarify the criteria used to determine the nearest school for the purposes of eligibility; the reason concessionary tickets issued cannot be used in conjunction with medical cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28734/26]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest primary school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Applications on a concessionary basis are subject to the following conditions:
• a Transport Application Form is completed and submitted to Bus Éireann;
• there is a suitable service, as determined by Bus Éireann, operating into their education centre;
• there is spare capacity on the service;
• the appropriate annual charge is paid; Medical Card waiver is not applicable
• Under the terms of the scheme, the availability of concessionary transport varies from year to year based on the capacity on the buses running on all the various routes and the number of eligible children accommodated on each route.
• Due to the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the family, to whom the Deputy refers to, are not eligible for school transport as they are attending their fifth nearest primary school. Bus Éireann further advise that concessionary tickets issued to this family for the 2025/26 school year.
The Portal is now open for applications for the 2026/27 school year. The closing date for payments or entering medical card details is Friday, 8 May 2026.
Following 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. Once routes have been finalised, Bus Éireann will assign tickets for each school transport service. Families who are unsuccessful in obtaining a seat will be notified via email and a refund will issue.
