There has been a massive rise in fuel costs in the past 12 months alone, with petrol going from €1.20 to €1.70 a litre for various reasons. This is having a severe financial impact on families who have a child, or adult child, with disabilities as these parents drive their family members twice daily to and from day care centres and CoAction centres five days a week. For many it is a long distance to these centres. The parents of these children and adults are entitled to a school transport grant but receive the same grant when the fuel is €1.20 a litre as when it is €1.70. These are the most vulnerable people in our society. The outdated grant aid provided for transport for people with a disability must increase with the rising cost of fuel. I ask the Minister to do all he can for parents of children with disabilities and provide a fair transport grant to parents who travel many miles per day.

The Deputy is right that there has been a huge spike in oil and gas prices. We see that at the petrol pump and in the gas bills people are getting. However, it is expected that it will not be permanent. It is impossible to know exactly what the price of oil or gas will do but the leading experts say it is due to a variety of immediate issues which may lead to prices coming down as they unwind. In the meantime, it is a very significant issue. The Deputy raised the specific example of the school transport grant for parents of a child with a disability who have to drive. The Minister for Education is responsible for this area. I will pass this on to her to see if there is any flexibility within the scheme. It is an immediate issue and we will take whatever measures we can to help. I will certainly pass that on. I cannot promise anything but I would love to see what the Minister says in reply.