Written answer
School Transport
The family was denied a 2026/27 school transport ticket because their child does not attend the nearest post-primary centre and existing services are full.
305. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth If she will ensure a school bus ticket is awarded to a person (details supplied). [67011/26]
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.
Bus Eireann has advised that the family referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport as they are not attending their nearest post primary centre.
An application for transport was received on time for the 2026/27 school year however they were unsuccessful in obtaining a ticket and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.
It is important to note that all seats on a given route are ticketed. There can be instances where tickets are not utilised every day, which is a decision of the ticket holder that can give the impression that a bus is operating with vacant seats.
In the first instance, it is the responsibility of ticket holders to utilise their tickets. While there is no obligation, families are welcome to return their tickets at any stage in cases where they are not using the service as originally intended. Bus Éireann will contact families should a spare seat become available following the return of a ticket that is no longer required.