Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

There has been an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and an increase of 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the current 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.

In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.

Children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Distance eligibility will be determined by Bus Éireann by measuring the shortest traversable route from the child’s home to the relevant school.

Children who are not eligible for school transport, under the terms of the scheme, may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis subject to the following conditions:

• a Transport Application Form is completed and submitted to Bus Éireann;
• there is a suitable service, as determined by Bus Éireann, operating into their school of attendance;
• there is spare capacity on the service;
• routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis; no additional State cost will be incurred;
• the appropriate annual charge is paid; Medical Card waiver is not applicable to concessionary transport

The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year, is not available on public scheduled services, and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s primary school education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets.

New school transport routes are established on a demand-led basis, subject to eligibility requirements. A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

The Department is engaging with Bus Éireann following correspondence received from the Principal referred to by the Deputy. Bus Éireann have indicated they have received a large number of applications for school transport to the school in question.

Bus Éireann are now processing and assessing all applications and determine whether they are eligible or concessionary. Based on the assessment of applications, Bus Éireann will review all school transport services. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.

The Department will revert to the Principal at the earliest opportunity.