619. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth the policy basis for allocating school transport scheme seats to temporary foreign exchange students on private programmes in Mayo; if they are prioritised ahead of local concessionary applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65869/26]

620. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Education and Youth the annual cost of providing school transport for temporary exchange students; and if Bus Éireann will review current allocations to free up seats for local children. [65872/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 620 together.

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 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.

Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should apply on-line in a timely manner to Bus Éireann. Applications can be made on www.buseireann.ie/schools.

The tickets costs for the 2026/27 school year, the school bus ticket fees are as follows:

Primary School Students: €100 per pupil.

Post-Primary School Students: €100 per pupil.

Maximum Family Charge: €200 for primary and €220 for post-primary students.

There is no charge for eligible students with valid medical cards.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) will be 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; previously referred to 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 which is outlined as follows.

Using the Family ID as a reference, first priority is given to all existing non-eligible applicants (whether they had seats or not in the last school year) who have paid by the deadline date for payments plus siblings of these pupils provided they also have paid by the deadline date. Second priority is all new non-eligible applicants who applied and paid by the deadline dates (i.e. those applying for transport for the first time). Finally, all other applicants (for example late applicants/payees).

Families hosting foreign exchange students must apply in the usual manner on the Bus Éireann family portal as outlined above to be considered for a school bus ticket.