Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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278. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when school transport will be approved for an international student in County Mayo (details supplied) in view of the fact that the host family applied as soon as was practically possible and they are now being advised that it could take six to eight weeks to process and this student is only here for twelve weeks on an international programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36113/24]

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 26th April 2024 and the closing date for payment was 7th June 2024.

Families may still apply for school transport following this date, but if the application or payment is late they may not secure a seat on a service and will not be considered for a remote area grant.

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 that the pupil, to whom the Deputy refers, is eligible for school transport but had submitted a late application and payment for the 2024/25 school year. However I am pleased to advise that a ticket will issue to the pupil in the coming days.