366. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth the date on which parents will be notified regarding whether their child has been allocated a school bus ticket under the school transport scheme. [47532/26]

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.

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 of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits and subject to available resources.

Families are required to register their details on the Bus Éireann Family Portal to have their eligibility for transport assessed and to make applications under the scheme: https://buseireann.ie/schooltransport/

The closing date for applications and payments or entering medical card details was Friday 08 May 2026. Applications or payments/medical card details received after this date will be considered late.

The Bus Éireann family portal has now closed to allow Bus Éireann time to plan for the new school year. The portal will reopen in early July, but any applications, payments or medical card details entered after that point will be deemed as late, and families will not be guaranteed a seat on a school transport service.

Where a child is eligible for transport and the application and payment process is completed on time, they will get a seat on a school bus service, where a service is available.

Where a child is not eligible for school transport, but the application and payment process is completed on time, they will be considered for any spare seats available after eligible children have been accommodated. These seats are called concessionary seats.

There may be more demand than availability for concessionary seats. In such cases, Bus Éireann will use a selection process to allocate tickets for the spare seats.

Bus Éireann are currently assessing all applications and planning for routes and services for the 2026/27 school year following the closing date for payments. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year. Once routes have been finalised, Bus Éireann will assign tickets for each vehicle. Tickets will begin to issue in mid-July and will continue to issue throughout July and August. Families who are unsuccessful in obtaining a seat will be notified via email and a refund will issue.