Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)
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38. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware that Bus Éireann is failing to respond to representations made by elected members and parents regarding special school transport. [51723/25]

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.

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 has grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to over 178,000 pupils in 2025, which equates to an increase of 48%.

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, there has been delays in responding to queries.

Bus Éireann advise that members of their School Transport team recently met with the Deputy to discuss representations he has made on behalf of his constituents. Bus Éireann further advise they are happy to engage with the Deputy should any further queries arise.

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.