Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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467. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to a regular review of all school transport routes, in particular those that are deemed to be at capacity but where spaces have been identified, in view that these available spaces could be awarded to concessionary pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51579/25]

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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468. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the action her Department and Bus Éireann are taking to ensure that all school transport routes are being fully utilised, in particular those which are deemed to be at full capacity but where spaces have been identified, in view of the high demand for concessionary places on the services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51578/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 467 and 468 together.

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.

Under the 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.

Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should apply on-line in a timely manner to Bus Éireann on Bus Éireann’s website at www.buseireann.ie/schools.

All school transport services are reviewed over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.

Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

With regard to ticket usage, it is recognised that all pupils issued with tickets will not travel every morning and every evening. In addition, certain after school activities may also result in pupils not travelling on certain days. Bus Éireann organises for vehicles to be full to capacity with tickets based on applications received and based on the seating capacity of the vehicle. For safety reasons, it is not possible to issue additional tickets over and above the seating capacity of the vehicle which could result in a potential overload situation arising and all pupils not being carried on the service.

The Department of Education is currently progressing a number of technological improvements to the School Transport Scheme, including the planned introduction of eTicketing. Not only will eTickets replace the current printed paper tickets but eTicketing will provide accurate information on ticket utilisation, which is currently not readily available.