Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There have been ongoing discussions and reviews in respect of school transport for some time. The decision that was taken to make school transport free was welcome, albeit it could have been organised in a different way, perhaps by continuing to give preference to those who applied in time. In any event, the time for has passed.

The decision to make school transport free for this academic year was a relief to many families. In the long term, it is necessary that the Department have a vision for delivering free school transport on a permanent basis. That cannot be done overnight, but is the Department discussing the matter with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform? It is a no-brainer in terms of emissions, traffic and the cost to all involved. It makes perfect sense that everyone who wants a place on a bus should be able to get one. Are the two Departments meeting at this early stage to discuss next year's budget and the potential of extending school transport on a free basis or reducing its cost level gradually over the course of a number of years?