James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My question relates to transport to secondary schools. It is an issue I have raised with both Ministers in the past concerning the quality and provision of transport services to schools. There are situations where children and families are being totally discommoded. This involves the splitting up of families in certain cases where some of the siblings have to attend one secondary school and others have to attend a different school. This is unfair on the parents who sometimes have to try and fit in their own work schedules as well. It is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently. It is essential, as I have stated time and time again, that we give our children the best educational system possible and this includes the provision of a good, safe transport service.

There is a situation - I hope I am forgiven for mentioning it - in the Edgeworthstown area of County Longford where five families - involving eight children in all - have no transport facilities to their designated school, Scoil Mhuire in Granard. This issue needs to be addressed. I have contacted the Department about it on a number of occasions. There is a public meeting taking place on the issue next Tuesday night because we have not addressed it. Children are not able to attend secondary school and in this day and age it is unfair on students that this should arise. I would appreciate if this whole issue could be looked at. Earlier today we were drawing up our schedule of invitees for the coming year. I suggested that we invite in the personnel from the transport section of the Department of Education and Skills. Some of the arrangements in place are totally unfair and there are simple solutions. In the Edgeworthstown case a second bus should be provided because it is a huge health and safety issue. It is not until something happens like what happened in County Meath a few years ago that we address problems like this.