Written answer
School Transport
Bus Éireann confirmed the children are ineligible and, with the route at capacity, cannot provide additional seats or deploy a double-decker bus.
527. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth If she will review correspondence (details supplied); the steps that can be taken to increase capacity on the school bus serving the Swellan area of Cavan town; if she will consider the deployment of a double-decker bus on this route given that approximately 15 children are currently without school transport and no viable alternative exists. [64738/26]
Comment on this
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.
Unfortunately, for pupils who are unsuccessful in obtaining tickets for the 2026/27 School Year and where services are operating at capacity, no additional capacity can be added to routes.
Bus Éireann have advised the family referred to are not eligible for school transport as they do not meet the distance criteria of 4.8kms and were not successful in receiving a ticket for the 2026/2027 school year.