303. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review the school transport case of a person (details supplied); if she is aware that three children have been unable to secure school bus transport despite reported available capacity on relevant routes; if she will engage with Bus Éireann regarding the allocation of seats and route eligibility; and if she will provide an update on the application and arrangements for the children concerned. [67048/26]

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.

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils referred to are not eligible for transport from their home as they are not attending their nearest schools, however the family have now been scheduled for the service referred to by the Deputy if they make a payment on their account in order to release these tickets.

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.