Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school bus tickets can be awarded to persons (details supplied). [43019/25]

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 terms of the Post Primary School Transport scheme, children are eligible for transport at 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.

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 family referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for transport as they are attending their third nearest post primary centre. They were unsuccessful in obtaining concessionary seats for the 2025/26 school year and the service is now operating to capacity.