18. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the twenty-one students who attend a school (details supplied) and applied and paid for school transport through Bus Éireann can instead be accommodated on existing routes from Westport and Castlebar, following their own application being declined after all students were assessed as concessionary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54125/26]

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.

The scheme has expanded significantly over the past six years. In that time, the numbers of children and young people using the service have grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to over 181,000 pupils in 2026, which equates to an increase of close to 50%.

In the 2025/26 school year over 181,000 children were transported daily in approximately 8,600 vehicles across 11,100 routes daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. These daily trips cover over 100 million kilometres.

It is recognised that the School Transport Scheme is vital to families and its benefits extend to support parents and guardians who are accessing employment. It continues to support pupils living in rural and remote areas, children and young people with additional needs, as well as national sustainability and climate goals.

The scheme is demand-led based on the number of eligible children who apply and pay on time.

The portal for School Transport applications for the 2026/27 closed on 8th May to allow Bus Éireann to plan and assign routes for the upcoming school year. The portal reopened on 3rd July, but any applications or payments made after this date will be deemed as late and will not be assessed until all “on time” applications have been processed.

Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for that year.

Bus Éireann has advised that all mainstream pupils who applied and paid on time for the 2026/27 school year to Colaiste Mhuire, Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo will be provided with transport where an existing service operates to this school, and that all eligible pupils will have a service within guidelines.