Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The school transport review is a significant and important body of work. Nobody appreciates it more than me, coming from an area that is very dependent on the access provided by school transport. The review is a body of work that has been comprehensive in terms of its consultation. There have been thousands of engagements with students, parents, guardians, those using the service and, probably even more important, those not using the service. There have been engagements with providers, those in the general community and those who have an expertise in the area. It is a significant body of work, and we are moving apace with it and looking to complete it as quickly as possible. I will be honest and say it has been impacted by some of the issues faced within the Department and in wider society, whether those be Covid-19 or the particular challenges at present in terms of securing places and transport for Ukrainian families. Everything impacts on everything else but it is my absolute determination that we will move as quickly as we can with the publication of that report.

In terms of the leaving certificate subjects specifically, significant work has already been achieved on the two subjects, which are drama, film and theatre studies, which I know is very close to the Senator's heart, and, equally close, the climate action sustainable development. The background papers have been prepared. I am a firm believer in the importance of the public consultation that is ongoing at the minute and which will close at the end of this month. The subject development group has already been convened and the meetings have commenced. There is a significant body of work on those subjects.