310. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth If she will ensure a school bus ticket is awarded to a pupil (details supplied). [66997/26]

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.

The closing date for applications and payments for the 2026/27 school year was 08 May 2026. Applications can still be made on the portal but are considered late. Where the application process is completed late, Bus Éireann may accommodate the pupil on a service if capacity is available on a service.

Bus Éireann have advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport, however, the application was received late and no payment was made. They were unsuccessful in obtaining a seat for the 2026/27 school year 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.