517. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth If she will review correspondence (details supplied); if she will clarify the circumstances under which a school transport ticket can be offered to a parent before payment has been made, given that the terms and conditions of the scheme require advance payment; and whether this practice is consistent with departmental policy. [64609/26]

Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning, timetabling of school transport routes and issuing of tickets on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.

The scheme is demand-led based on the number of eligible children who apply.

As part of its operation of the scheme, Bus Éireann endeavours wherever possible to ensure all vehicles are full to capacity.

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil/family contacted are the next in line to receive a ticket i.e. following a agreed selection process or a late application/payment. If a family has been refunded, Bus Éireann generally contact them as next in line and offer them the ticket(s) and request payment again on that basis.