20. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures being taken to provide certainty to families in advance of the commencement of the 2026-2027 school year regarding school transport allocations and charges; the steps being taken to ensure that families receive timely confirmation of school bus placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53983/26]

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

Since 2018, the number of students using school transport has increased by 54%, rising from almost 118,000 students in 2018 to 181,000 students in 2025.

Within this, the number of children and young people with special educational needs being supported on transport has increased from almost 13,500 in 2018 to over 24,400 in 2025. This is an increase of 82%.

The cost of the scheme has also increase by over 145% from €219m?in 2019 to?€537m?in 2025.

Another area of the school transport scheme that has increased significantly is the Summer Programme.

The number of pupils who travelled on dedicated school transport services during that time has risen from almost 4,000 in 2022 to over 9,000 in 2025 at a cost of €7.2 million.

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. 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.

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.

Since the portal closed, Bus Éireann have been assessing all applications and planning routes and services for the 2026/27 school year. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of children who will be availing of school transport for that year.

Tickets have now begun to issue to families and will continue to issue throughout the summer. Where pupils are unsuccessful in receiving tickets, they will be notified as early as possible and refunds will issue from Bus Éireann.