1313. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide a school bus ticket for a student in County Kildare (details supplied). [62530/26]

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.

Bus Eireann has advised that the pupil mentioned by the Deputy is mainstream eligible as they are attending their nearest primary school, however, this pupil applied and paid late on the 21 July 2026 for the 26/27 School year. The bus is full to capacity and there are no seats available at present.

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.