Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1232. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it will be ensured that school transport tickets are issued to persons (details supplied). [43642/25]

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 mainstream transport as they are attending their fourth nearest primary centre. They were unsuccessful in obtaining concessionary seats for the 2025/26 school year and the service is now operating to capacity.

The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.

Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO. Should the parents of the pupil referred to by the Deputy wish to pursue an application under this scheme they should contact their school principal in the first instance. Further information is available at gov.ie/schooltransport.