Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
369. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the estimated cost to the Exchequer to provide free school transport to all primary and post-primary school students in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51350/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
The scheme is demand led based on the number of children who apply and 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 including over 24,000 pupils with Special Educational Needs in 2025 which equates to an increase of over 50%. Since 2018, investment in the scheme has more than doubled, from €200 million to €537 million.
In 2024, receipts from school transport charges amounted to approximately €24m. If school transport fees were to be abolished and eligibility criteria remained the same, the cost of providing free transport to each child availing of the scheme would be approximately an additional €24m on the total cost of transport for the year. However, the abolition of fees would most likely increase the demand for school transport, which would also increase the cost of the scheme. The figure of €24m is based on current patterns of school transport uptake and assumes that all other costs and factors remaining the same.
It should be noted that the scheme is heavily subsidised, with over 92% of the overall cost covered. The approximate cost to the state per mainstream pupil is currently €1,400 annually.
A recent review of the scheme found that having a fee helps make better use of resources and prevents seats on school buses from going unused, which in turn helps to protect and sustain the scheme for all families who need it.
For the 2026/27 school year, a primary school ticket will cost the equivalent of 55 cent per school day, and a post-primary ticket will cost approximately 60 cent per school day. No family will pay more than €1.32 per day, regardless of how many of their children use the service.
