Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

411. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will engage with Bus Éireann in relation to the lack of response and lack of specific case details following queries from Oireachtas members about school transport places (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51147/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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

At the outset, it's important to state that both the department and Bus Éireann acknowledges and appreciates the role of Oireachtas members in making representations on behalf of their constituents, and indeed recognise the role of Oireachtas members in communicating ongoing developments regarding the provision of school transport across the country.

The school transport scheme has expanded significantly over the past six years. In that time, the numbers of children and young people using the service have grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to almost 178,000 pupils in 2025, which equates to an increase of 48%. A total of 1,549 routes were also tendered by Bus Éireann during the summer.

In line with such scaling of operations, there has understandably also been an increase in representations. Bus Éireann have advised that representations received by them this year have increased by 50% since last year.

Given the particular increase in representations to Bus Éireann in advance of the commencement of the new school year, combined with the routine administrative work in relation to school transport provision generally, regrettably, it has not been feasible to deal with the increased volume of representations in a more timely manner. It is acknowledged that improvements are required in the management of representations and this is something I, my department and Bus Éireann are cognisant of and are working to resolve.

Bus Éireann also has a dedicated customer service operation in place to assist members of the public seeking updates on their school transport applications and the operation of services more generally.