Not eligible or not their nearest school: Bus Eireann responds to children left without place on schoolbus

Bus Éireann has responded to claims by a Kilkenny family that they have been left without a place on the school bus.

The transport provider has advised that in relation to the route in question, the children who are not deemed eligible either live less that the eligibility distance requirement, or Scoil Phadraig, Ballyhale is not their closest school. Bus Éireann has further advised that a number of children have been facilitated with services in the afternoon, where capacity is available due to the fact that there are two pick-up times in the afternoon.  

"Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where capacity exists. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated," said a statement from Bus Éireann.
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"Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process."

The Primary School Transport Scheme supports the transport to and from school of children who reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from, and are attending, their nearest primary school. In the past number of years the scheme has significantly expanded, such that over 161,600 children now access school transport (in comparison to 120,000 children in the 2019/2020 school year). The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02 million.