Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2026
194. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views regarding the increasing cost of private school transport for families; her views on the impact rising operating costs are having on the viability of private school transport operators; whether consideration is being given to introducing a subsidy scheme to support these services and reduce costs for parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53799/26]
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 scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. 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 180,000 pupils in 2025, which equates to an increase of close to 50%.
Pupils who are eligible for mainstream transport and apply and pay within the deadlines are accommodated on services where one is available. Where there is no service for eligible pupils, the department will pay a Remote Area Grant at the end of the school year towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.
Children who are not eligible for mainstream transport but complete the process on time will be considered for any spare seats available after eligible children have been accommodated. These spare seats are called concessionary seats.
School transport services operated by private contractors are outside the remit of the school transport scheme.
