Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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182. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 24 September 2024, if this student can be offered a place on a school bus service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39794/24]

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.

In relation to the Deputy's query, Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil is eligible to their selected school and has been issued a school bus ticket. The pupil resides approximately 1 km from her home to her assigned pick up point, which is in line with the terms of the School Transport Scheme.

Bus Éireann has further advised that while there is a service which passes where the pupil resides, this service is currently operating to capacity for the 24/25 school year.

However, Bus Éireann have been in contact with the family in this regard and have ensured that the pupil will be assigned to the closer bus route for the 25/26 school year.