1574. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); the steps that can be taken to increase capacity on school bus services in the Crosskeys area; if she will address the situation whereby 17 children in the area have been refused tickets on the grounds that the bus is at full capacity. [64437/26]

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.

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

Children who are not eligible, but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; previously known as concessionary seats.

Because of the nature of transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for non-eligible pupils. In these cases, Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils referred to are not eligible for transport from their home as they are not attending their nearest schools.

Bus Éireann has further advised that 17 non-eligible pupils from the area referred to were unsuccessful in obtaining tickets for the 2026/27 school year.

The services are operating to capacity, and the pupils cannot be accommodated at this time.