Mr. Stephen Kent:

There is an enormous number of points there and an enormous amount of critique of what is happening in the management of the scheme. In all the years I have done, this has been a very good year despite all the issues arising from the expansion. I recognise that there have been significant demands but we have met them. Some 99.9% of the pupils who applied for tickets have been allocated a transport solution. That is on the mainstream scheme. As I have said to the Deputy, we have had a 5% rise in school transport tickets over the last year and that is on what was already a big volume. That is extremely significant. We have had a 9% rise in SEN applications over the year. That is extremely significant. As the Deputy will know, to a large extent, these applications require not just the provision of a vehicle and driver, but also an escort.

In the time I have done, the figure has moved from 5,500 routes to 10,500 routes in the space of seven years. Something very positive is happening to get an extra 50,000 kids on transport each day and that should be recognised. However, as I said in my opening statement, the scheme continues to expand so we will continue to require more drivers, more vehicles and more investment in new technology for all of those systems. The Deputy mentioned two or three families. I will take the details from him straight after this meeting and we will get him a response if he has not already had one.

I have to try to separate what we are doing into two parts. One is that Bus Éireann operates this scheme on behalf of the Department of education and we have to apply rules and criteria. These are very specifically guarded by the Department of Transport and are approved by this Oireachtas. All we are doing is implementing a Government-approved scheme. The Deputy has asked about children not getting onto the scheme. If there is a change to the eligibility criteria for the scheme, we will apply it. That is all I will say.

The Deputy has asked whether we can accommodate children. If those children are eligible and if a transport solution can be found, we will lift up everything. As the Deputy will probably know from our staff, we are always hunting options down through public procurement. We engage with taxi operators and do everything we possibly can to provide a transport solution. We do not want to let any family down. I have mentioned that this is the most valued public service in the State. Loads of parents have told me that. We will move heaven and earth to get a service. I just want to say that to the Deputy but, if he knows of families with issues, I will deal with them.

On the question of the over-70s, if the Cathaoirleach wants me to address it, the issue is complex. When I mention the 2,000 drivers, this is because the NTA has announced a very positive initiative in BusConnects. Connecting Ireland is also coming and we have the expansion of the scheme. The number can be consolidated. We are going to try to firm up the number required over the next three years through this Department of Transport forum. Based on where I see normal retirements and expansion going, it will be at least 2,000 in the next three years. On the over-70s, if the Chair will allow me, we have-----