School Transport Scheme is 'causing frustration and stress in Mayo'

Mayo TD Keira Keogh has called for immediate reform of the School Transport Scheme, highlighting how outdated eligibility rules and rigid proximity criteria, particularly those related to “nearest and second nearest” schools, are placing unnecessary stress on families.

“School transport continues to cause frustration and stress to many families across rural Ireland,” Deputy Keogh said.

“Specifically, the eligibility criteria for nearest and second nearest schools. This requirement fails to reflect family circumstances, school preferences, and logistical realities on the ground. It is simply too rigid and does not reflect modern Irish society.”

Among the cases brought to Deputy Keogh’s attention are:

* A family uncertain whether their daughters will receive transport entitlements next term, due to waiting on concessionary places, who feel in limbo.

* A parent from Glenhest, outside Newport, whose daughters were offered places in Sacred Heart School in Westport but are deemed ineligible due to the portal listing Davitt College in Castlebar as their “nearest” school. Both schools are 21k from the home, but Davitt college is 0.3K closer to their home.

* A mother was told that her son’s nearest school is St. Gerald’s College, which does not align with his primary school’s feeder pattern, which includes Westport-based schools instead.

“We need to move away from a rigid, proximity-based model toward a system grounded in common sense and fairness. A modernised transport scheme is not a luxury, it is a necessity for rural equality and access to education.”

Minister for Education Helen McEntee outlined that over the lifetime of this government there are plans to expand the school transport scheme to 100,000 more children, which would allow for removal of the barrier to choose your nearest school ensuring that children can avail of the transport scheme when attending a school of their choosing.

Deputy Keogh is now calling on the Department of Education to allow flexibility in the scheme for the next term, as a temporary alleviation, in cases where the portal isn't taking account the feeder schools, or when the difference between nearest and second nearest school is less than 2K in rural areas.

“It is time for a system that puts families first.

"We need clear rules, transparent decisions, and a transport scheme that truly serves the needs of all Irish children, regardless of where they live,” she added.