School transport fees return for September

Bus Eireann School Transport had been free for the school year beginning in Autumn 2022 as one of the Government's cost-of-living measures, but it is coming to an end as the surge for demand exceeded buses and seats available.

For the school year, beginning in September 2023 the Government is to reintroduce a fee (subject to caps) for school bus services. Families will be asked to pay €50 each for primary school students and €75 for post primary, up to a capped maximum of €125 per family.

Families intending on applying for school transport services for the first time for the next school year  need to register now, before a closing date of April 28.

Applications are considered new if they are for pupils who will be attending junior infants in primary school or as first years in post-primary school for the first time in 2023 and pupils who move home address or who will be attending a new school in the 2023-24 school year.

The Bus Éireann family portal will be open for payments for school transport for the 2023-24 school year until June 9.

Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2km from and are attending their nearest national school.

Similarly they are eligible at post-primary level where they reside not less than 4.8km from and are attending their nearest post-primary school/education centre as determined by the department and Bus Éireann.