If your child is starting secondary school in Westmeath and will need to use a school bus then here’s what you should do.

 

To begin with, get an application form from the school or from this office (see below). Fill it in and return it to the school. Once the principal has signed it and sent it to us, we will decide if your child will be eligible.

 

To be allowed to use the school bus, you must be living within the catchment area for the school. You must also live 4.8 kilometres or more from the school.* As well as this, you must not live less than 4.8 kilometres from any other secondary school, even if it’s not the school your child will be going to.

 

If we find that we can’t offer your child school transport, we will let you know. But if your child is eligible, we will ask Bus Éireann to send you an invoice for the ticket, which will cost €300 for the year. (Eligible pupils from families with medical cards will be exempt from this charge).

 

As soon as you pay this, Bus Éireann will send you the ticket.

 

This is a very basic summary, so if you have any more questions on school transport we would be happy to answer them. Just contact Emma Devine at:

 

 

 

 

 

*If your child will be going to school in Athlone you must live 4.8 kilometres or more from the town bridge, and if your child is going to school in Mullingar you must live 4.8 kilometres or more from the post office in Dominick Street.