The school transport schemes support transport to and from school for;
- children who live remote from their nearest primary and post-primary school and;
- children with special educational needs.
Bus Éireann operates the school transport schemes on behalf of the Department of Education.
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, subject to the following limited exceptions relating to ethos and language:
- children who, for reasons of their religious ethos, choose to attend their nearest minority religious denominational school 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.
DownloadApply online to Bus Éireann at www.buseireann.ie or by contacting your Local Bus Éireann office.
Applications should be made by the last Friday in April each year.
The current annual charge is €100 per primary child subject to a maximum of €220 for families with primary children only; €350 per post primary child. The overall family maximum is €650.
Generally, invoices will issue in the first week of July. Payment must be made by the last Friday in July.
You can pay on line at www.buseireann.ie or by sending a cheque/postal order/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 having regard 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 arising from a diagnosed disability.
For information on the scheme, including eligibility criteria see:
School transport scheme for children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability
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 have reached 18 years may appeal a decision made by the Department under the terms of the school transport schemes and/or grant aid under the terms of the school transport schemes. See the School Transport Appeals website
School Transport
Address:
Department of Education, School Transport, Portlaoise Road
, Tullamore
, County Offaly
, R35 Y2N5
Phone number:
