Primary school transport scheme

Information

The school transport scheme was set up in 1967 to provide transportation for school children that live long distances from their local school. The rules governing transport to primary schools are set out in detail by the Department of Education and Science.

Rules

In order to qualify for school transport, a child must be aged between 4 and 12 and living more than 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) from the nearest suitable national school.

The Department of Education and Science decides what the nearest suitable school is. If a child is attending a school that has more than one teacher and there is a one-teacher school nearer the home, that fact will not usually disqualify the child from using the school transport scheme.

Children attending multi-denominational schools, or Gaelscoileanna (Irish language speaking schools) are eligible if they meet the distance requirements to their school. They are not disqualified because there is another national school nearer to them. There are also special arrangements for Protestant children attending Protestant schools and children living in remote areas.

There are other conditions to be met before a transport service will be established. There must be enough children to use the service. This means that there must be a daily average (over a school term) of at least 7 children in a distinct area attending their nearest national school.

If 2 schools merge, the national school children for whom the closed national school would have been the nearest can only use the transport service to go to the school that is the result of the merger. The service can be continued as long as there are 7 or more such children using it.

A transport service to the nearest suitable school can also be established, provided it can be done within reasonable cost limits, in the following cases:

• Where there are at least 7 eligible children in a distinct area who are attending the nearest suitable school and are available for transport
• Where there are 5 such children in a distinct area, living at least 4.8 kilometres (3 miles) from the school
• Where there are 4 such children in a distinct area, living at least 6.4 kilometres (4 miles) from the school
• Where there are 3 such children in a distinct area, living not less than 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the school.

Parents or guardians should note that the scheme is not a door-to-door service. Parents are responsible for bringing their children to the nearest pick-up point to avail of the service. Generally routes are planned so pupils don't have to travel more than 2.4 kilometres (1.5 miles) to their nearest pick-up point.

If there is no school transport there is a transport grant available to help with the costs of transport for children who are entitled to free transport - see 'How to apply' below.

The Department of Education publishes detailed information on the conditions governing the primary school transport scheme on their website.

The Department of Transport and the Marine publishes advice for parents and schools in relation to authorised bus operators and taxis (pdf) on its website.

Children with special needs are also eligible for free transport to and from special schools and to special classes.

Rates

This is a free service for children who qualify for the scheme. If there are spare seats available, other children can be carried on a fare-paying basis. For the 2009/2010 school year this concessionary fare is a single annual charge of €200 per student. The maximum annual amount for a family is €650. The charge should be paid in full by 31 July 2009 or it can be paid in 2 instalments by 31 July and 4 December 2009.

How to apply

If you wish to use school transport you should tell the school when you are enrolling your child. Bus Éireann has set up a helpline to deal with general enquiries about school transport matters including:

• How to apply for school transport under the School Transport Scheme.
• Eligibility criteria for Primary and Post-Primary transport.
• Guidelines covering the School Transport Scheme.
• How to appeal a decision made in relation to a school transport application.

Tel: Locall 1890 200 974 (10.00 to 13.00 and 14.00 to 16.00 Monday to Friday (except holidays)

For enquiries about time-tables, pick-up points, routes and applications for transport grants you should contact your local Bus Éireann school transport office. If you wish to appeal a decision you should use the School Transport Appeals Board form.

Applications to use the transport service on a fare-paying basis should be made directly to Bus Éireann.