My Department is currently finalising proposals for progressing the commitment given in the Programme for Government to review the school transport system including catchment boundaries.
In the meantime, the terms of the post-primary school transport scheme will continue to apply. A pupil is eligible for transport if s/he resides 4.8 kilometres or more from her/his local post primary education centre, that is, the centre serving the catchment area in which s/he lives.
Pupils who are eligible for transport to the education centre in the catchment area in which they reside may avail of ‘catchment boundary' transport to an education centre in another catchment area provided spare seats are available on the school bus.
Information is not readily available on the number of applications received from educational interests in each county over the past two years. However, reviews of specific catchment boundaries may be carried out where appropriate. A number of reviews have been carried out over the years where, for example, a new post-primary school is established in an area where previously there was none or, conversely, where a "sole provider" school closes due to declining enrolment.