Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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433. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the lack of school transport options for students at schools (details supplied), particularly as one of these schools is due to move to a new permanent location; if school transport will be supplied for these students in the years before the school moves to its permanent location; if not, if she will request the Department of Transport and NTA to extend the current 139 bus route north to Tyrrelstown and Hollywoodrath in order that students can use a single bus to travel to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54741/25]

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 but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.

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. Bus Éireann have advised that at present they have not received 10 applications to one of the schools being referred to by the deputy for the 2025/2026 school year. There is currently no mainstream service operating to this school.

Bus Éireann has also advised that they have not received any applications to the other school the deputy made reference too.

In relation to Route 139 mentioned ,this is a public scheduled service and does not fall under the remit of the school transport scheme and is a matter for the National Transport Authority.