Press release
Minister Foley encourages families intending on applying for school transport services to register before 28 April closing date
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Last updated on
The Bus Éireann family portal is currently open for new applications for school transport services for the 2023 / 2024 school year.
New applications are considered as:
Minister Foley said:
"It has been good to see a strong level of applications to date for school transport in the next school year. This year the fees for school transport have been capped at €50 for a primary school ticket and €75 at post primary, as a government response to the rising cost of living. As a result the maximum amount any family will pay on school transport for the school year is €125 a potential saving of up to €500.
"I would encourage all families intending to make new applications in respect of their child/ren to register before 28 April.
"Families can now apply online through the Bus Éireann family portal at buseireann.ie.”
Families are being reminded that the closing date for applications is Friday 28 April 2023. Any new applications made following this date will be considered late applications and families will not be guaranteed a seat. A late application may mean that a ticket is not available.
Applications can be made by visiting www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport. Eligibility criteria continue to apply.
The Bus Éireann family portal will be open for payments for school transport for the 2023 / 2024 school year until 9 June.
The annual charge for School Transport Services for the 2023/24 school year is set out below:
| Category of pupil | Annual charge |
| Primary Eligible/ Concessionary Pupil | €50 |
| Post - Primary Eligible Pupil/Concessionary Pupil | €75 |
| Maximum Family Contribution at Post-Primary | €125 |
The eligibility criteria for School Transport for the 2023/24 school year is as follows:
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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application and payment process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete the application and payment process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
In addition, temporary alleviation measures will continue for the 2023/24 school year, pending completion of the school transport scheme review. This means that transport will be provided where such services are in operation for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who apply and pay on time.
Pupils from Ukraine who require school transport should not apply on the Bus Éireann family portal but should visit here for details on how to apply. Please note that any pupils from Ukraine who are currently on school transport do not need to re-apply for the 2023/24 school year unless they have changed address or school.