1288. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the operation of the school transport scheme (details supplied); the measures being considered to address the issues raised, particularly in relation to concessionary tickets, parental choice of school, school ethos, and access to education in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62349/26]

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

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.

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.

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; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

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

Where there are not enough eligible children to establish or retain a school transport service, families may be offered the Remote Area Grant (RAG). This grant helps eligible families with the cost of making their own transport arrangements when school transport cannot be provided. The Remote Area Grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.

In cases where families have applied to attend their nearest school with regard to ethos and language, and have been advised by the school authorities that these schools are full, the Department will consider if the pupil(s) is eligible to the next nearest school.

While the closest school(s) may be full to capacity at present, each family must supply the documents mentioned below, to School Transport Section of the Department of Education and Youth.

• an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school(s), and

• a letter from each of the school authorities confirming that the school was full.

This information should be submitted for consideration to School Transport Section of my Department through the Case Management System which can be accessed by following this link: cs.education.gov.ie

Tickets began issuing in July and will continue to issue to pupils over the coming weeks. Where pupils are unsuccessful in receiving tickets, refunds will issue from Bus Éireann.

Bus Éireann will contact families should a spare seat becomes available following the return of a ticket that is no longer required.

The School Transport 2030 report was published in early 2024. The recommended changes to the schemes include expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges and moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure the best value for money to the Exchequer.

It was outlined at the time the Review was published that the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria would further increase demand for the scheme. Therefore, it was considered prudent to implement the changes on a phased basis.

Implementation of the recommendations of the review will continue to be planned on a phased basis, subject to increased financial investment and where there are available resources and capacity to meet the expected increased demand.