School bus access
Deputy O’Gorman asked why eligible pupils in his constituency still lacked school buses weeks into term. The Taoiseach accepted that more work was needed, particularly to ensure children and families know their arrangements well in advance.
It is now four weeks since the school term started back. Like Deputy Sherlock, far too many primary and secondary school students in my constituency still do not have access to a school bus even though they meet the criteria. Students attending St. Peter's College in Dunboyne, the Catherine McAuley National School and Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓg are still left hanging. Why is that every single August, the Department of Education cannot get this right? When will those kids get the school bus place they are entitled to under the criteria?
Comment on this
In response to Deputy Farrelly, there is no U-turn. There will be targeted measures in the budget in respect of children, in particular financial supports and the prioritisation of the issue of child poverty.
In relation to Deputy O'Gorman, I fully accept that we have a lot more to do in terms of special education. I went through this earlier in a longer reply. We need to ensure that every child and family knows they have a place and where they are going well in advance of the school year. There has to be a cultural ethos in the Department to enable that to happen. I understand the Ministers are working on that agenda.