Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if primary school students (details supplied) can be considered for the remote area transport grant; and if so, the application process for this grant. [3855/24]

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 161,600 children, including over 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 are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €382.02m.

There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.

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.

Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.

Bus Éireann have advised that the pupils referred to are mainstream concessionary pupils. An application for transport was received on time for the 2023/24 school year.

Bus Éireann have further advised that the pupils are not eligible for transport as they are attending their second nearest primary school and in the current school year 2023/2024 there is no service available. As the pupils referred to are not eligible for transport they cannot be considered for the remote area grant.