School Transport 2026 — subsidised school bus from €100/year; free for medical card holders and SEN pupils
School Transport Scheme Ireland 2026
If your child lives more than 3.2 km from their nearest primary school or 4.8 km from their nearest secondary school, they may qualify for subsidised school transport. Bus Éireann manages the routes on behalf of the Department of Education. The annual contribution is €100/year (primary) or €350/year (secondary) — with a per-family cap. Medical card holders travel free.
School Transport — At a glance
- Primary ticket
- €100/year (max €200/family)
- Secondary ticket
- €350/year (max €650/family)
- Medical card holders
- Free
- Primary distance threshold
- More than 3.2 km from nearest school
- Secondary distance threshold
- More than 4.8 km from nearest school
- Apply by
- April–May for following September
Eligibility — distance from your nearest school
Eligibility is based on distance from your home to the nearest suitable school, measured by the shortest available road route. "Nearest suitable school" means the closest school of the correct type — national school for primary, post-primary school (or relevant type: secondary, community, vocational) for secondary.
| School level | Minimum distance for eligibility | Annual ticket cost | Medical card cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary (National School) | More than 3.2 km | €100/year | Free |
| Post-primary (Secondary) | More than 4.8 km | €350/year | Free |
| Special educational needs | Any distance (assessed individually) | Free | Free |
Family maximum — per-family caps
If you have multiple children using school transport in the same year, the annual contribution is capped per family:
- Primary only: maximum €200/year regardless of number of children
- Post-primary only: maximum €650/year regardless of number of children
- Mixed (primary and secondary): each cap applies separately to the relevant level
Worked example — family with three children
Two children in primary school (€100 each = €200, capped at €200). One child in secondary school (€350). Total annual cost: €550 for three children's school transport.
If all three had medical cards, the total annual cost would be €0.
Concessionary seats — if your child doesn't meet the distance rule
If your child does not qualify on distance (e.g., they attend a school other than their nearest, or live under the threshold), they can apply for a concessionary seat. These are places on existing bus routes allocated after all eligible pupils are accommodated.
- Same annual contribution rate as eligible pupils (€100 or €350)
- Available only if space exists on the route after eligible pupils are served
- Not guaranteed — a concessionary seat in one year does not guarantee a seat the following year
- Still worth applying — many routes have available space
Special needs transport
Children with special educational needs who cannot use standard school transport due to their needs are entitled to free transport. This includes children attending:
- Special schools
- Special classes in mainstream schools
- Mainstream schools where the child's disability prevents using standard transport
Special needs transport is organised separately through the Department of Education — not via the standard Bus Éireann online application. Contact your child's school principal or the NCSE for guidance on accessing this.
How to apply
- Apply online at buseireann.ie in April–May
Bus Éireann manages the School Transport online application. The application window for September typically opens in April. Apply before the closing date to be considered as an eligible pupil — late applications are processed as concessionary only.
- State your child's school and home address
The system calculates the distance from your home to your nearest suitable school and the school your child attends. Have your Eircode ready.
- Pay the annual contribution (if applicable)
Payment is made online. Medical card holders upload their card details to claim the free entitlement.
- Receive transport details before September
Bus Éireann confirms pick-up times and bus stop locations before the school year begins. Routes can vary year to year depending on demand.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get school transport if my child goes to a Gaelscoil or Gaelcholáiste?
Yes — Irish-medium schools (Gaelscoileanna at primary level, Gaelcholáistí at secondary) are treated as suitable schools for transport purposes. Eligibility is based on distance from the nearest school of the appropriate type that your child is enrolled in. Contact Bus Éireann to confirm distance eligibility for your specific school.
What if my nearest school is at capacity and my child cannot enrol there?
If your nearest suitable school is full and your child is enrolled at the next nearest school, you can still apply for school transport and eligibility will be assessed based on your specific circumstances. In practice, Bus Éireann and the Department of Education assess cases individually where nearest school enrolment was refused.
Do children in gaeltacht areas have different rules?
Yes. Additional transport provisions apply in Gaeltacht areas to facilitate access to Irish-medium education. Contact Bus Éireann's School Transport Section for details specific to your Gaeltacht location.
Can non-Irish children or immigrants access school transport?
Yes. The School Transport Scheme is available to all children enrolled in recognised primary and post-primary schools in Ireland, regardless of nationality. The distance and school type rules apply equally to all.
What happens if the bus is cancelled or doesn't show up?
Bus Éireann has a customer services line for school transport issues. If a bus consistently fails to arrive or is cancelled, report it to Bus Éireann School Transport Section. In extreme cases, the Department of Education can be contacted. Parents can also seek a refund for missed days in circumstances outside their control.
- Eligibility is based on distance to your nearest suitable school — not the school your child attends. If your child attends a school that is not the closest, you may only qualify for a concessionary seat.
- Medical card holders travel free — but you must still apply and upload your medical card details online.
- Concessionary seats are not guaranteed year to year — a seat available one year may not be available the next if more eligible pupils apply.
- Special needs transport is completely separate — apply through the school and NCSE, not through the standard Bus Éireann portal.
- The family caps (€200 primary / €650 secondary) apply per level — not across primary and secondary combined.
Related guides
This page was reviewed against official Department of Education and Bus Éireann School Transport guidance and updated to reflect 2026 annual contribution rates and eligibility rules.