School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann is responsible for the procurement of contractors to provide transport services under the School Transport Scheme. Routes, bus sizes, pick up/set down points and timetables are planned on the basis of children who are eligible for school transport only.
The terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.