Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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209. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in a situation where two primary schools have amalgamated but the new base school is further away than other primary schools in the area, if the children will qualify for school transport such as in the case of a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23629/24]

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 2023 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.

Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for 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.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.

Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

Bus Éireann, who operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department, review all school transport services over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.

In cases where schools are amalgamated, children who were eligible for school transport and who are currently availing of school transport services, will retain their eligibility for the duration of their primary education cycle provided there is no change in their current circumstances.

New applicants who are siblings of these children and all other new applicants will be assessed in the normal manner by Bus Éireann. Children who are eligible will be accommodated on existing services and those not eligible for school transport will be considered for transport on a concessionary basis in accordance with the terms of the above Scheme.