Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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437. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline whether a school bus seat will be guaranteed with a concessionary ticket for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38660/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, 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 and Youth.

Under the current terms of the scheme, pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible. Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for..

Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level have been continued for the 2025/26 School year school year. This means that transport arrangements will continue to be provided for a number of post-primary students who are attending their second nearest school, who have applied and registered on time and who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school.

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is a TAM concessionary pupil who applied and paid on time.

Bus Éireann has further advised that there is a mainstream service available. This service is currently being reviewed by Bus Éireann who will issue tickets in the normal manner based on eligibility criteria following the selection process. Bus Éireann will be in contact with the family at that time.