Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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84. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a school bus ticket (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27572/24]

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.

Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 km from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann having regard to ethos and language. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 km 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 pupil referred to by the Deputy resides 3.8 kilometres from home to their nearest school, which is their school of attendance. Therefore the pupil is a concessionary applicant as they do not meet the distance criteria under the terms of the Post Primary Transport Scheme.

Bus Éireann will be in contact with the family directly in due course to advise if this pupil has been successful in obtaining a ticket on a concessionary basis for the 2024/25 school year.