Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
313. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Youth the school transport options available to a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53156/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes, 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, 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.
Where a child is eligible for transport and the application and payment process has been completed on time, they will get a seat on a school bus service, where a service is available.
Where a child is not eligible for school transport, but the application and payment process has been completed on time, they will be considered for any spare seats available after eligible children have been accommodated. These seats are called concessionary seats.
There may be more demand than availability for concessionary seats. In such cases, Bus Éireann will use a selection process to allocate tickets for the spare seats.
Tickets will begin issuing in July and continue to issue throughout the summer. Where pupils are unsuccessful in receiving tickets, refunds will issue from Bus Éireann.
Bus Eireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy resides 3.8 km from home to her school of attendance. Bus Éireann also advise that the pupil is not eligible for transport as they are under the distance criteria as set out in the Post Primary School Transport Scheme. Bus Éireann further advise that the pupil applied and paid on time for the 2026/27 school year, however, the existing service is currently operating to capacity with no seats available at present.
