Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

832. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school bus ticket will be awarded to a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59392/25]

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.

Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes, at post primary level, pupils are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have 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.

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to is not eligible for school transport as they are attending their 2nd closest post primary centre. While the pupil applied and paid on time for the current school year, there was no capacity on the existing vehicle and no option to upgrade to a larger vehicle.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

833. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school bus ticket will be awarded to a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59393/25]

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.

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil in question is not eligible for school transport as they are attending their 3rd closest post primary centre. While the pupil applied and paid on time for the current school year, there were no seats available at the time and this pupil was refunded. However, I am pleased to confirm that Bus Éireann has now advised that a seat has become available and they will contact the family to offer them a seat.

Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes, at post primary level, pupils are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.

Children who are not eligible, and who apply and pay or enter their medical card details on time will be accommodated with concessionary tickets on existing service for the 2025/26 school year as part of the temporary alleviation measures (TAMs) where services were available.