Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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546. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update regarding school transport for children travelling from a location (details supplied). [48697/25]

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.

Bus Éireann has advised that the Special Educational Needs service referred to by the Deputy is not currently operating as this service was handed back by the contractor.

This service is now back in the procurement process and once a contractor is sourced this service will commence. Bus Éireann will liaise with families directly with regard to this matter at that stage.

Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore apply for the Special Transport Grant which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the school transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised.

The families concerned will be contacted by a member of the School Transport team with regards to this grant.

Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
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547. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans for children whose school transport have been cancelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48699/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Unfortunately, Bus Éireann has reported difficulties in specific locations with a small number of contracted services, where it has not yet been possible to provide vehicles and/or drivers. It is important to note that these services have not been cancelled. The families will be contacted directly in relation to the commencement of their service as soon as vehicles have been sourced, and vehicle and driver compliance checks completed.

These difficulties have arisen in some cases due to lack of driver or contractor availability, or where either zero bids were received for a service, despite repeated efforts to procure one. The Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.

While the situation is dynamic with solutions being found on a regular basis, currently this represents approximately 0.4% of vehicles operating mainstream school transport services nationally. Bus Éireann has contacted the affected families directly and will maintain communications with them.

An “Exceptional No Service Interim Grant” payable by the Department, which will be based on the number of days children attend school will be made available to the families. The grant is only available to the small number of families who have already received a school transport ticket from Bus Éireann and where difficulties have meant that transport is not be in place for the start of the school year. Bus Éireann have contacted these families directly. Families do not need to make an application for the exceptional payment. Those who have been issued a ticket and do not have a service in place will be contacted shortly by School Transport Section in the Department.

Work is continuing in order to resolve this matter and Bus Éireann are committed to providing transport to these students as quickly as is possible.

Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are usually 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.

Families can also contact Bus Éireann by submitting a query via the following link: education.cloud.gov.ie/apps/ePQ/Lists/ParliamentaryQuestions/Forms/Parliamentary%20Question/Customer%20Care%20-%20Bus%20%C3%89ireann%20-%20View%20Ireland%20Bus%20and%20Coach%20Timetables%20&%20Buy%20Tickets%20(buseireann.ie)

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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549. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to examine the case for approving school transport for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48702/25]

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.

Bus Éireann has advised that a late application for school transport for this pupil was received on 5 September 2025 for the 25/26 school year. The pupil in question is not eligible for transport as he is attending his fourth nearest Post Primary Centre and there is no service from where this pupil resides to his school of attendance.

However, Bus Éireann has further advised that their local office were in contact with the family in relation to an alternative service which the family are willing to accept. Once the family logs onto the system and makes a payment, a ticket will issue.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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550. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school transport application for a person (details supplied) will be reviewed in view of the medical needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48742/25]

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.

Bus Éireann has advised that a late application for school transport for this pupil was received on 5 September 2025 for the 25/26 school year. The pupil in question is not eligible for transport as he is attending his fourth nearest Post Primary Centre and there is no service from where this pupil resides to his school of attendance.

However, Bus Éireann has further advised that their local office were in contact with the family in relation to an alternative service which the family are willing to accept. Once the family logs onto the system and makes a payment, a ticket will issue.