Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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328. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the implementation of the school transport review; if her Department will prioritise schools and areas with ongoing eligibility and capacity issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50330/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport 2030 report was published in early 2024 following a comprehensive analysis and review of the scheme as it currently operates. 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. It is proposed to expand access to the scheme so that an additional 100,000 pupils can be carried by 2030.

The scale of the scheme is significant, and any changes will take time to plan and implement.

It was outlined at the time of the review’s publication that it would be prudent to implement the scheme changes on a phased basis.

A phased implementation of the review’s recommendations began at the start of the 2024/2025 school year in conjunction with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann . A total of 14 pilot projects took place in the 2024/2025 school year

It is intended to continue current pilots for the 2025/26 school year. They will be monitored during the year and evaluated in full at the end of the 2025/2026 school year. These pilots will provide valuable insights into the impact of increased demand on the scheme, the potential for integrating public transport with school transport services, and opportunities to promote more sustainable modes of transport. The findings from these evaluations will guide the planning and implementation needed for a national rollout of a revised School Transport Scheme.

The School Transport Section of the Department is actively engaging with Bus Éireann, to assess and identify where more School Transport pilot programmes may be successfully delivered. The Department has asked Bus Éireann to review where additional capacity may be available for concessionary pupils who paid on time and would become eligible if the revised school transport scheme criteria was rolled out in full.

This is in order to pilot the revised scheme eligibility criteria in a small number of areas. Sourcing of additional capacity can take time where a procurement process is required, and subsequent vehicle and Driver safety compliance checks need to be completed.

A number of approaches are being examined including the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify how many additional children would become eligible and where they are located. A digital mapping project of all existing school bus routes is being developed, and there is ongoing collaboration with the Department of Transport, Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority in regard to planned expansion of public transport routes to explore where integration may be possible.

Implementation of the recommendations of the review will continue to be planned subject to resources being available to meet the increased demand.

Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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329. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of concessionary ticket applications which were refused in 2025 to date on bus route 770 to Coláiste na Coiribe in Galway; the figure for each of the past five years, in tabular form; if a larger bus has been requested for this route and the outcome of that request; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50331/25]

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 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.

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 data requested by the Deputy on this route is not readily available. When it is available School Transport Section in my Department will forward it on directly.