I raise the issue of fair pay and conditions for school transport escorts. They are a really crucial part of disabled children's lives. Parents all across the State have provided testimony about this. Unfortunately they do not get paid during the school holidays and they have to sign on. They are left waiting and waiting. In my constituency I have met large numbers of them. I have also been contacted by escorts in other constituencies. Their pay is being reviewed but it has been dragging on for months. I ask the Taoiseach to speak to the Minister for Education and try to reach a decision as soon as possible to show them how much we value these people. That is what the parents want and what the children want. Let us show how much we value them by giving them proper pay and conditions so they do not have to sign on every time the school holidays start.

I thank Deputy Mac Lochlainn for raising this important matter. He is right to highlight the very important work done by our school transport escorts. I will seek an urgent update for him from the Minister for Education on this and revert to him directly.