Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that Deputy Nolan has a particular understanding of the issues here. Capacity has been increased, specifically for those who are eligible on the basis that they meet the criteria. There has been a 21% increase in the number of tickets issued. In the Deputy's area, County Laois, the figure has increased by 31%. In every county we are seeing an increase in the number of children receiving tickets. I do not for a minute wish to take away from the cases raised by the Deputy, including that of five children in need of concessionary tickets in a particular area.

As regards empty seats, places are allocated on the basis of eligibility. We can look at this further. As I stated, it is not easy to get inside the minds of families to determine why a child may travel on one particular day and not travel on another, or may not travel for the first few weeks of school. Parents may bring a child to school until he or she settles in and the child may travel on the bus after that. It is difficult to ascertain but we can follow up on the issue. Tickets are allocated on the basis of who is eligible to have a seat on the bus. Circumstances may vary from day to day and that may explain why a child does not travel on one particular day but may travel on another day.

In response to the question about an additional route, the review is examining eligibility and the various criteria and there is an opportunity for those matters to be considered. I will revert to the Deputy on ensuring there is full capacity and that it is being met on the bus service to which she referred.