Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
657. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth how the current loophole, in which individuals use incorrect or falsified Eircodes to obtain bus tickets, is being monitored and enforced; the safeguards that are in place (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12305/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra658. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Education and Youth the situation in Castletown, where 15 children may "temporarily" relocate within the catchment area to qualify for school transport; the measures that will be taken should all applicants thereby become eligible; in particular, whether the Department will provide a second bus in such circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12306/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 657 and 658 together.
Bus Éireann operate the School Transport Scheme on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
Bus Éireann has advised that the school transpor application procedure contains an online validation with the An Post National directory of Eircodes.
This Eircode solution also contains the geo-coordinates of each address location, so that they are able to pinpoint the address geographically to its exact location. In relation to the matter raised by the Deputy of using falsified eircodes, School Transport tickets are posted to the addresses declared on an application. If addresses have been falsified, tickets will not be received to the correct address.
The onus is on parent/guardian to ensure accurate information is provided at the time of application.
Bus Éireann investigate any matter of allegedly providing false addresses, the findings could mean that a ticket is terminated where it is deemed the child is not eligible for transport. .
In relation to the area referenced by the Deputy, Bus Éireann have advised that there is 1 mainstream service operating to this school, carrying 32 mainstream eligible pupils and 21 concessionary pupils. 11 concessionary pupils were unsuccessful in obtaining tickets for the 2025/26 school year. The above information from Bus Éireann would also apply to these families when applying for the 2026/27 school year.
