School transport costs ran €96m over budget last year, Dáil hears

The Irish Times · Tim O'Brien · 2026-11-05 17:02 UTC

Data technology not currently available to allow those who want to travel to avail of unused seats

The cost of providing school transport went over budget by €96 million in 2025, the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (Pac) has been told.

Comptroller and Auditor General Seamus McCarthy said there was a “lack of transparency around funding” for the bus services that catered for about 181,000 pupils, including about 24,000 with special needs.

McCarthy said the original provision for school transport was €383 million, but the ultimate spend was €479 million, some 25 per cent over the budget.

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