Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023-24 school year more than 161,600 children, including 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post-primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02 million.

At present, pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 km from and are attending their nearest primary school, as determined by the Department and Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. At post-primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 km from and are attending their nearest post-primary school or education centre, as determined by the Department and Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language are deemed eligible.

There has been a significant overall increase year-on-year in school transport applications and tickets issued. In the 2018-19 school year, the total number of children availing of primary, post-primary and special educational needs transport was just over 117,800. In comparison, the number of children availing of school transport for the 2023-24 year has increased to over 161,600 which is an increase of 37%.

As part of budget measures for 2024, the Government announced an additional €50 million for school transport which will allow continued investment for children to access the school transport scheme. The increased investment on the scheme is due in the main to the cost of running it and making it available to more students.

Alongside this €50 million in funding for investment in the overall scheme, a further €42 million was provided as part of the cost-of-living measures announced in Budget 2024. This funding will be used to assist families with the costs of education and reduced fees will continue to apply on school transport for the 2024-25 academic year.

All funding for the school transport scheme for 2024 will be derived from core and current funding. Any requirement for supplementary funding for 2024 will be sought using the agreed Supplementary Estimates process.

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