Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Kennelly for the opportunity to update him on the school transport service in these areas. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Youth with responsibility for special education and inclusion, Deputy Michael Moynihan. The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. As Senator Kennelly may be aware that, under the terms of the school transport scheme, children are eligible for transport at primary level when they reside not less than 3.2 km from and are attending their nearest national school. At post-primary level, the pupil must reside not less than 4.8 km from and be attending their nearest post-primary education centre, as determined by the Department or Bus Éireann, with regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann has advised that pupils residing in the Lixnaw area are generally not eligible for school transport to the post-primary centres in Tralee as they are nearer to two different post-primary centres depending on their address. Bus Éireann has advised that there is a service that pupils of this area can avail of, with pick-up points of approximately 9.2 km or 7.2 km away. The Senator already alluded to that.Bus Éireann has advised that pupils residing in the Abbeydorney area are generally eligible for school transport to the post-primary centre in Tralee, as it is their closest post-primary centre. Bus Éireann has also advised that there is a mainstream service that operates from this area to that post-primary centre.

The closing date for new applications for school transport services for the 2025-2026 school year was Friday, 25 April 2025. Any new applications made after the closing date are considered late applications and, thus, may mean that a seat is not available.

The Bus Éireann family portal is accepting payments or medical card details until 6 June. Payments or medical card details submitted after the deadline date will be deemed late. A late submission of payment or medical card details may mean that a seat is not available. Following the closing date for payment or entering medical card details, the Bus Éireann family portal will close. This will give Bus Éireann time to assess all applications and plan for routes and services for the 2025-26 school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and locations of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.