Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
391. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether pupils attending a school (details supplied) who reside in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, are considered eligible for school transport under the school transport scheme where their nearest school was unable to offer places due to capacity constraints, as confirmed in writing by the local school; and the way in which such cases are assessed. [32429/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Children are eligible for school 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 cases where families have applied to attend their nearest school 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(s) 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.
This information should be submitted for consideration to School Transport Section of my Department through the Case Management System which can be accessed by following this link: https://cs.education.gov.ie.
Families are required to register their details on the Bus Éireann Family Portal to have their eligibility for transport assessed, to make applications and input their payment or medical card details on Bus Éireann’s on-line system: https://buseireann.ie/schooltransport/.
The Portal is now open for applications and payments. The closing date for payments or entering medical card details is Friday 08 May 2026. Applications or payments/medical card details received after this date will be considered late.
