Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when school transport will be available for two students (details supplied), given that their tickets have already been paid for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36048/24]

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 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.

Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.

Parents of children wishing to avail of school transport services are required to apply on-line to Bus Éireann’s website at buseireann.ie/schooltransport

The closing date for new applications for the school year 2024/25 was 26 April 2024 and the closing date for payment was 7 June 2024.

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 and where there is capacity to do so.

Bus Eireann has advised, the the pupils to whom the Deputy refers, are eligible for school transport but submitted late applications for the 2024/25 school year on 14th August 2024 which is considered to be a late application. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the local Bus Eireann office have reviewed these applications and tickets will issue shortly as there are seats available on a service that can accommodate these pupils.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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270. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the school transport arrangements for Ardmore to Dungarvan, County Waterford to ensure a safe and accessible service to Dungarvan for residents of Ardmore and district, and which addresses safety and access concerns with the current arrangements at Kiely’s Cross; when she will remove the closest school criterion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36051/24]

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 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.

Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.

Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have 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 and where there is capacity to do so.

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.

Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.

Bus Éireann further advise that all eligible and concessionary children in the area who applied on time and paid on time have been accommodated on existing services.

Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of the Department. Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to the Department and to Bus Éireann. Due to an increase in volume of activity at the pick up point in question Bus Éireann has advised that is currently is being reviewed. Any change in transport arrangements will be advised directly to families.