Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills where the Programme for Government school transport 2030 scheme application process was advertised; the number of schools that applied; to outline the selection criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17846/25]

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 current terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

The School Transport 2030 report, which was published in early 2024 marks the largest review of the School Transport Scheme since it was established in 1967. The Government is committed to working to achieve the report’s recommendation of expanding access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030.

The recommended changes to the future operation of the schemes include expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges and moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure the best value for money to the Exchequer. An extensive stakeholder engagement process was conducted as part of the review, including consultation with parents, students, providers and other key stakeholders.

A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year.

As indicated at the time of the launch of the review, a number of pilots were being considered by the Department in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann. As also indicated at the time of the launch of the review, it was intended that following closure of the application process for the 2024/2025 school year consideration would be given to further potential pilots.

A total of 14 pilot projects are underway in the current school year. These pilots are currently being evaluated and they will provide valuable insights into the impact of increased demand on the scheme, the potential for integrating public transport with school transport services, and opportunities to promote more sustainable modes of transport.

The findings from the evaluation will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme.

Further information on plans for the 2025/26 school year will be available shortly.

The Bus Éireann family portal is now open for new applications for school transport services for the 2025/26 school year. The closing date for new applications is Friday 25 April 2025 and the closing date for payments is June 2025.

There is no application process for schools as mentioned by the Deputy.