269. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be available for two students (details supplied), given that their tickets have already been paid for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36048/24]

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.

Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they 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.

Parents of children wishing to avail of school transport services are required to apply on-line to Bus Éireann’s website at buseireann.ie/schooltransport

The closing date for new applications for the school year 2024/25 was 26 April 2024 and the closing date for payment was 7 June 2024.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.

Bus Eireann has advised, the the pupils to whom the Deputy refers, are eligible for school transport but submitted late applications for the 2024/25 school year on 14th August 2024 which is considered to be a late application. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the local Bus Eireann office have reviewed these applications and tickets will issue shortly as there are seats available on a service that can accommodate these pupils.