Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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405. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school-going children, primary and post primary, residing in south Kilkenny who currently avail of the school transport scheme; the number waiting to be offered a place on the school transport system; the numbers refused places on the school transport system for the school year 2024-2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9769/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 172,500 children, are transported daily in approximately 7,900 vehicles across 10,300 routes daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. These daily trips cover over 100 million kilometres. This figure includes over 143,800 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 21,700 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine.

The scheme is made up of three separate schemes, the school transport scheme for primary, post primary and for children with special educational needs. Transport is also provided for children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and those residing in IPAS/EROC centres.

The total expenditure on the scheme in 2024 was €512m.

Bus Éireann has provided the details requested by the Deputy in the attached table.

Bus Éireann has further advised that the services where on time mainstream concessionary pupils did not receive a ticket are currently operating to capacity. Late mainstream eligible and mainstream concessionary pupils are only issued with tickets where capacity exists.

There are currently 559 pupils availing of transport to schools in Kilkenny under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs.

Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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406. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason school-going children in south Kilkenny, who attend school in New Ross, are not informed until the end of August whether they have been approved for the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9770/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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 172,500 children, are transported daily in approximately 7,900 vehicles across 10,300 routes to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. These daily trips cover over 100 million kilometres. this figure includes over 143,800 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 21,700 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

The scheme is made up of three separate schemes, the school transport scheme for primary, post primary and for children with special educational needs. Transport is also provided for children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and those residing in IPAS/EROC centres.

The total expenditure on the scheme in 2024 was €512m.

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, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should apply on-line in a timely manner to Bus Éireann on Bus Éireann’s website at www.buseireann.ie/schools.

The closing date for school transport applications for the 2025/26 school year is Friday, 25th April 2025 and the closing date for payment/entering medical card details is Friday, 6th June 2025.

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

Bus Éireann, who operate the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department, will contact all applicants regarding their eligibility for school transport.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.

Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete the application process on time, are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats

Any remaining seats left after eligible pupils are accommodated are then allocated to concessionary pupils. Where there is a transport service available, Bus Éireann liaise directly with families.

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 a random selection process.

Bus Éireann will close their application/payment portal following the payment deadline date, this is to allow them the opportunity to access applications in order to issue tickets earlier to families during the summer months where seats are available.