Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)

A report on the over 70s was done last year and was published in August 2024. It specifically mentioned the challenges that would arise in approving people over the age of 70. During the programme for Government discussions in January, it was mentioned specifically. The Department of Transport has taken the lead on this. A report on the policy and the criteria is being done. I understand that a report on how we should proceed should be available in the next couple of weeks. This issue constantly comes up. The programme for Government gave a commitment to look into it, work on it and see what can be done on the over 70s. We are working on that.

One of the main criteria is the need in communities. The Deputy mentioned someone coming from 26 miles away, which is a huge distance for people to travel. I have no problem in taking the information he has given and working with him on it. Our aim is to make as many special classes and places as possible available in the communities, as near as possible to the children.

The Deputy spoke about the number of children who cannot take up their places because the school is not ready. This is changing week by week as school places are becoming available. Some places that were to open last week or next week are now ready to open because of the work that has been done on site. A lot of work is going on to try to make sure that places become available as a matter of urgency for everybody who has been allocated a place. I want to reiterate that the Department, the NCSE and ourselves have said we are bringing the deadline back to 1 October this year so that we will not be in the same position next year. We want to ensure the physical places will be ready and we will be better planned for the next school year.