The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. The scheme demand led scheme based on the number of eligible children who apply.
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 181,000 pupils in 2026, which equates to an increase of close to 50%.
For the 2025/26 school year all eligible pupils who applied and paid on time were facilitated on a service where one exists. The data requested by the Deputy on pupils who did not secure tickets is not available in the manner requested. However, it should be noted that a total of 1,137 pupils at post primary level and 385 pupils at primary level did not receive tickets. These numbers include on time applications where there was no capacity on an existing service.
In line with the guidelines of the scheme, pupils who applications from those who apply/pay late are processed once all on time applications have been dealt with. Seats are allocated to late applicants where capacity exists.
The information requested by the Deputy on concessionary tickets is provided in the attached table.
As of March 2026, over 1,800 tickets had issued to pupils residing in IPAS centres, these children travelled on dedicated and mainstream services depending on where pupils reside. Bus Éireann endeavours wherever possible to ensure all vehicles are full to capacity. Services in all locations are considered when planning mainstream services for the upcoming school year.
The scheme is demand-led based on the number of eligible children who apply. The online portal for the 2026/27 school year closed on 08 May 2026 and will remain closed until 01 July 2026. Bus Éireann are currently assessing all applications and planning for routes and services for the next school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for that year.
|
Number of mainstream tickets concessionary tickets issued
|
|
|
|
County
|
Post Primary
|
Primary
|
|
Carlow
|
657
|
370
|
|
Cavan
|
706
|
925
|
|
Clare
|
769
|
533
|
|
Cork
|
3,108
|
2,787
|
|
Donegal
|
1,643
|
1,918
|
|
Dublin
|
380
|
419
|
|
Galway
|
2,582
|
1,840
|
|
Kerry
|
1,248
|
1,131
|
|
Kildare
|
1,312
|
961
|
|
Kilkenny
|
881
|
911
|
|
Laois
|
517
|
394
|
|
Leitrim
|
390
|
540
|
|
Limerick
|
1187
|
760
|
|
Longford
|
602
|
401
|
|
Louth
|
900
|
350
|
|
Mayo
|
939
|
870
|
|
Meath
|
1,480
|
1,101
|
|
Monaghan
|
602
|
657
|
|
Offaly
|
835
|
406
|
|
Roscommon
|
448
|
654
|
|
Sligo
|
807
|
576
|
|
Tipperary
|
1480
|
955
|
|
Waterford
|
652
|
400
|
|
Westmeath
|
906
|
577
|
|
Wexford
|
2,036
|
962
|
|
Wicklow
|
823
|
461
|
|
Grand Total
|
27,890
|
21,859
|
Data as at P3 2026
Post primary data includes pupils accommodated under Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMs). Under these measures, transport will be provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school, are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
