321. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will review correspondence (details supplied); if she will confirm whether spare capacity exists on the school transport route for the 2026/2027 school year; and if the application could be reconsidered given that the student travelled on this service last year when capacity became available. [67899/26]

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.

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 attending their 4th nearest post primary centre.

The family applied and paid on time but was not successful in obtaining a ticket for the 2026/27 school year. The service is operating to capacity, and the pupil cannot be accommodated at this time.