Information for parents and children on using the school transport scheme services in the 2021/2022 school year is now available at www.gov.ie/backtoschool.
You will also find details on how primary, post-primary and special educational needs school transport services will operate in line with current public health advice at www.gov.ie/backtoschool.
Bus Éireann operates the school transport schemes on behalf of the Department of Education.
As part of the scheme, transport is provided to and from school for:
- children who live far from their nearest primary and post-primary school
- children with special educational needs
The primary school transport scheme supports the transport to and from school of children who live more than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school.
For information on the scheme, including eligibility criteria see:
Primary School Transport Scheme
This document provides detailed information on the Primary School Transport Scheme.
DownloadThe post-primary school transport scheme supports the transport to and from school of children who live more than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post-primary education centre/school. It is subject to exceptions for:
- children who choose to attend their nearest minority religious denominational school due to religious ethos may be eligible for school transport to that school, even if it is not their nearest school
- children who choose to attend their nearest all-Irish school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not their nearest school
- children who choose to attend their nearest all-English school/unit may be eligible for school transport to that school/unit, even if it is not their nearest school
For information on the scheme, including eligibility criteria see:
Post-primary School Transport Scheme
This document provides detailed information on the Post-primary School Transport Scheme.
DownloadThe Bus Éireann payment portal for applications and payments for school transport services for the 2021/2022 school year reopened at 2pm on Friday 20 August 2021 . The portal was closed following the payment deadline of 31 July 2021 to allow for planning of services for the new school year. From 2pm on 20 August it will be possible to make an application or to make a payment or enter medical card details for a ticket for primary and post-primary school transport services for the 2021/2022 school year. However, parents/guardians are reminded that at this stage any application or payment is late and the allocation of a ticket cannot be guaranteed. Where it is not possible to allocate a ticket a full refund will be made on any payment received.
The decision taken by the Government not to re-open schools on the 6 January 2021, followed by the subsequent phased re-opening, was taken in the interest of protecting our pupils, their families, teachers and those members of the wider community and is one of the many measures taken to support efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Given that school transport services were not available for part of the 2020/21 school year, it was decided that at the end of the school year a refund for that period of closure will be issued to parents/guardians.
Bus Éireann who operate the School Transport Scheme on behalf of the Department, will shortly commence issuing refunds to families who are due to receive a refund for the unused portion of their ticket for the period of school closures arising from public health measures/Covid-19 restrictions in the 2020/2021 school year. Families will be contacted directly by Bus Éireann when their refund is being released.
Full information is available at https://www.buseireann.ie/SchoolRefunds
The current annual charge is €100 per primary child and is subject to a maximum of €220 for families with primary children only; €350 per post primary child. The overall family maximum is €650.
Invoices will be sent out in the first week of July. Payment must be made by the last Friday in July.
You can pay online at www.buseireann.ie or by sending a cheque, postal order, or money order directly to your local Bus Éireann School Transport Office.
Children eligible for transport who hold valid Medical Cards (GMS Scheme) do not pay a charge. The child’s Medical Card details are required when making the payment and details may be entered online at www.buseireann.ie
In cases where the department is satisfied that your nearest school is full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance you live from your next nearest school in relation to ethos and language.
To establish that the nearest school is full you must provide:
- evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school, and
- a letter from the school authorities confirming that the school was full, and
- a copy of the decision reached following an appeal under section 29 of the Education Act, 1998
This Act provides for an appeal by a parent to the secretary general of the department where a board of management of a school has refused to enrol a child. See Appeal against permanent Exclusion, Suspension or Refusal to Enrol.
The school transport scheme supports the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs that come from a diagnosed disability.
For information on the scheme, including eligibility criteria see:
School transport scheme for children with special educational needs
Information on the scheme including eligibility criteria
DownloadClick here to download Application for School Transport for Children with Special Educational Needs.
Application forms should be completed and signed by the parent, school principal and the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO).
Parents or pupils who are over 18 years of age may appeal a decision made by the department under the terms of the school transport schemes or grant aid under the terms of the school transport schemes.
See the School Transport Appeals website for further information.
Bus Éireann Local School Transport Office
Website:
School Transport Section
Address:
Department of Education, School Transport, Portlaoise Road
, Tullamore
, County Offaly
, R35 Y2N5
Phone number:
