Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the first instance, significant progress has been made in the provision of school places and school transport for children and young people with additional needs. Some 25% of the budget is expended on special education. That is right and proper. We are coming from a base where more and more work is required. I appreciate that and absolutely understand the importance of it. Specifically in regard to the provision of the bus transport service, as members are aware, there is a free bus transport service available to children with additional needs. As highlighted earlier, there is a difficulty in procuring buses or drivers in certain areas. Bus Éireann is working through that. There will be a service provided for these children. They are entitled to it and they will receive it. In the interim, I am not aware of the individual cases raised but we can look at providing a grant to the family until the actual service is put in place. It is an absolute given.