If you are a first time user, you will need to create an online Family Portal account.

Before you begin, you must have a valid email address.
If you already have an account go to the login page, otherwise create an account.
Registration ensures that you can access the services available.
Registration also confirms that you have a valid email address that we can use to send you communications and notifications.
You need to register once only.
If you are a returning Account Holder who is adding a new pupil, you can proceed straight to the login page.
The online Family Portal runs best on a PC or laptop. Mobile Phone / Tablet use is not recommended.

Service Provision

The eligibility criteria for School Transport for the 2024/25 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 2024/25 school year, pending completion of the school transport scheme review and this means that transport will be provided 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.

Full details on eligibility can be found on the Department of Education’s school transport page.

Distance eligibility will be determined by Bus Éireann by measuring the shortest traversable route from the child’s home to the relevant school.

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

For school bus operating purposes a “distinct locality” is a cluster of eligible children who reside in the same general area, in the same general direction from the school attended, as determined by Bus Éireann taking cognisance of the local road network. A service to convey a group of children whose homes are at scattered points in a school district would not be considered.

A seat on a service will not be guaranteed in the event that parents/guardians of children submit late applications or make late payments after the deadline published on Bus Éireann invoices, regardless of eligibility status under this Scheme.

Changing your School or Home Address

If you are changing your home address or school that the child is attending, you must apply for School Transport again. Your eligibility status may change as a result.

Pay for School Transport

Payments made after the deadline date of June 7th 2024 will be deemed late and families may not be guaranteed a seat at that stage.

Payments must be submitted by for new applicants and also for pupils who have previously availed of school transport and require a seat on a service for the 24/25 school year.

Children (who are eligible for school transport) and who possess valid Medical Cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge however, their medical card details must be submitted to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann will accept medical card details until 7 June 2024. Medical card details received after 7th June deadline are considered late. Applicants who apply and submit their medical card details on time will be prioritised.

Families are strongly urged to make sure that they pay/enter valid medical card details on or before the deadline of 7th June 2024.

Details of all existing pupils who currently hold tickets are already recorded and the email address provided in the registration process previously is used to communicate with families each summer when it is time to pay the school transport charges for the forthcoming school year.

Ticket Fees and Payment Options

The Annual Charge for School Transport Services for the 2024/25 school year is set out below:

Primary School Transport: €50 per child
For Account Holders with 3 or more children in the Primary School Transport scheme, a maximum family charge of €125 will apply

Post Primary School Transport: €75 per child
For Account Holders with 2 or more children in the Post Primary School Transport scheme, a maximum family charge of €125 will apply

Concessionary Transport

Children who are not eligible, under the terms of the schemes may apply to Bus Éireann on a concessionary basis. The conditions are:

that Bus Éireann determines that a suitable service exists to school or education centre,
that the service has spare capacity,
that routes are not extended or altered, additional vehicles are not introduced, larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles are not provided. No additional State cost is incurred,
that the appropriate annual charge is paid, Medical Cards are not applicable.

Availability may vary from year to year and is not available on public scheduled services. Concessionary transport cannot be guaranteed for the duration of the school cycle.

Bus Éireann determines the allocation of the tickets when the number of applications exceeds the number of seats available.

Apply & Pay

How to apply and pay for School Transport