Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2026
354. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children who availed of the school transport scheme in 2025 and to date in 2026, in primary and secondary school respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49124/26]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In the 2024/25 school year over 172,500 children, were transported daily in approximately 7,900 vehicles across 10,300 routes to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total number of primary school children that availed of the mainstream school transport scheme as of June 2025 was 49,558. The total number of post-primary school children that availed of the mainstream school transport scheme as of June 2025 was 101,254.
In the current school year over 181,000 children, are transported daily in approximately 8,600 vehicles across 11,100 routes to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total number of primary school children that availed of the mainstream school transport scheme as of April 2026 was 49,915. The total number of post-primary school children that availed of the mainstream school transport scheme as of June 2025 was 107,107.
The number of pupils travelling on school transport has increased from under 120,000 in 2018 to over 181,000 in 2026.
