The review of the school bus transport system is under way. I urge greater flexibility and expansion of that service. We see how the traffic disappears when schools are off and we know that getting children onto public transport at an early age creates good habits. We know about the emissions from traffic and the problems it causes. I urge flexibility and expansion of the system as part of that review.

I thank the Deputy. The school transport scheme at present caters for more than 121,000 children, 15,500 of whom have special needs. The Deputy will be aware that those availing of the scheme for this term will have it for free as part of the €67 million back-to-school package agreed by Government recently. I understand the submissions to input into the review closed in February of this year but if the Deputy wishes to give me his views on expanding eligibility, I can pass them on to the steering group.