Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

296. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine a matter relating to a school (details supplied) in County Sligo; the reason the school bus service that was scheduled to commence in September 2025 may now be delayed until 2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27126/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.

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.

Eligible children who complete the application process and pay or enter their medical card details on time will get a seat on a school bus service, if a service is available.

Bus Éireann has advised that four applications have been received for the 2025/26 school year from the school referred to by the Deputy. Only two of these applications are eligible for school transport which does not warrant establishing a new service to the school of attendance.

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.

Children who are not eligible for school transport but complete the application and pay or enter their medical card details on time will be considered for any spare seats available after eligible children have been accommodated. These spare seats are called concessionary seats. There may be more demand than availability for concessionary seats. In such cases, Bus Éireann will use a selection process to allocate tickets for the spare seats.

The closing date for new applications for the 2025/26 school year was Friday 25 April 2025. The payment closing date is Friday 6th June 2025.

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.