Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)

No problem. I expect to be able to roll out free travel for five- to eight-year-olds in September this year.

The issue of over-70 school drivers has to be dealt with. It does not sit directly in my Department. We need to engage further with the Department of education in that regard. There are people over 70 driving buses privately and then they cannot drive a bus to a school. We have to try to bottom this out. It was an issue in the last Dáil. It has not been addressed but there is a desire to see how we can move it forward.

On Waterford Airport, there is a commitment in the programme for Government to work with stakeholders to see how we can advance it. I have had interactions with Government colleagues on this. I expect to have a meeting in the coming weeks with the chief executive in the area. Moneys were allocated by the Government before last. Costs have gone up substantially since then but I know for many in the region it is an important asset they want to see realised. I will keep the committee and the Chair informed of progress. I have no progress to present or to report upon right here at this stage, but we are working on it.