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 traveling 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 2023 was €382.02m.

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.

Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.

school transport is a demand led scheme, families are required to apply on line on: buseireann.ie/schooltransport in order to be considered for transport. Transport cannot be arranged unless applications are received before the closing date.

The closing date for new applications is Friday 26 April 2024. Any new applications made after the closing date are considered late applications. A late application may mean that a ticket is not available.

This year, families can apply and pay /enter medical card details in one step from the date the portal opens. This means new and existing applicants can pay/enter medical card details from now until 7 June 2024.

Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.

Families can also contact Bus Éireann their website: www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport by submitting a query via: www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=769,

Updates on the application process can be found on Gov.ie/schooltransport and on buseireann.ie/schooltransport

Bus Éireann has advised that eligibility for these pupils cannot be determined without further information: names, addresses, eircodes and schools of attendance. If the Deputy wishes to furnish these details officials in my School Transport section will make further enquiries to Bus ÉIreann. Families are still required to apply online on Bus Éireann's website mentioned above.