Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
376. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education and Youth to consider and respond to correspondence from the parents and caregivers association of a school (details supplied) regarding school transport issues. [65428/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Primary School Transport scheme, 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 as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In cases where families have applied to attend their nearest schools with regard to ethos and language, and have been advised by the school authorities that these schools are full, the Department will consider if the pupil is eligible to the next nearest school.
While the closest school(s) may be full to capacity at present, each family must supply the documents mentioned below, to School Transport Section of the Department of Education and Youth.
• an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school(s), and
• a letter from each of the school authorities confirming that the school was full.
Contact details for school transport section can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/school-transport/#school-transport-customer-contact-form.
The School Transport Section has been liaising with Bus Éireann in relation to the school transport applications of pupils for whom Rathcoole ETNS is their closest school but for whom applications were submitted after the deadline date and a service has been approved. Bus Éireann have advised that all services to this school are operating to capacity.
