Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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913. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider the provision of an additional bus route to accommodate students from Lisdowney, Co. Kilkenny (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19647/25]

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.

Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport 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. The policy at Post-Primary level is that eligibility for school transport is to the nearest education centre/school subject to limited exceptions regarding language and ethos. An education centre is a number of schools within a town and acts a central point for students availing of school transport to attend any of the schools in the town.

The School Transport Scheme has regard to ethos and language in that exceptions to eligibility for the scheme are considered in the case of minority religions and the Irish language.

The scheme at Post Primary level provides transport for children of minority religion for whom there is less choice of school given the dispersed nature of these schools and also facilitates the viability of those minority religion schools.

Bus Éireann has advised that pupils residing in the area referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for transport to their school of attendance as they are attending their fourth or fifth closest school/centre, depending on their individual addresses.

Where families have applied to attend their nearest school in regard to ethos and language and have been advised by the school authorities that it is full, the department will consider if you are eligible to the next nearest school.

Please provide the following documentary evidence as proof:

• an application for enrolment that was made within the deadline dates specified by the school, and
• a letter from the school authorities confirming that the school was full at time of enrolment

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. 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 my 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 this 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 2025/2026 school year will be available shortly.