1303. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); the status of the school bus ticket application; if the application will be reconsidered given the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62408/26]

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.

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

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, this includes public scheduled services.

Where a child is not eligible for school transport, but the application and payment process has been 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 has confirmed that the pupil, to whom the Deputy refers, is not eligible for school transport as the family reside 4.3kms from home to school and do not meet the distance criteria of 4.8kms. The pupil was not successful in receiving a concessionary ticket for the 2026/27 school year.