I will speak today about school escorts. We can all agree that the service they provide is outstanding. Having spoken to many parents whose children use the service of a school escort, they say they could not cope without it. They are grateful for school transport being provided in the first instance, but many of these children would be unable to go to school without the school escort. There are around 22,000 children being looked after by approximately 4,000 escorts. The day’s pay for escorts does not start until the first child is picked up. Many of the school escorts are picked up by the bus driver or taxi driver in their homes, but they may have to travel half an hour or an hour to pick up the first child. Their day’s pay should start when they are picked up. Obviously, when they are driving along with the driver, they are talking about the children and their minds are on what is coming up next, etc. That is the start of their day’s work. I would like the Minister to come in to discuss the pay and conditions of these fantastic escorts.

They are also not paid for the summer holidays, even though they start again in September or late August. They do not get paid during the summer. They are often undervalued and are certainly undervalued pay- and respect-wise. I would like the Minister to come in to acknowledge the great work of these escorts and discuss their pay and conditions.

I welcome guests of Deputy Sean Fleming from the Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, LOETB, Portlaoise. They are all very welcome. I hope they enjoy their visit today.