Thomas Gould (Cork North-Central, Sinn Fein)

I have only one question for Bus Éireann. I have sent Bus Éireann at least a dozen emails, I put in four parliamentary questions and I have made dozens of phone calls. I am a TD for Cork North Central and the way in which my constituents and I have been treated is absolutely disgraceful. We have children going to special schools who have had no bus service. Do you know how they are finding out? I have to ring the parents every Monday morning and every Friday to see whether Bus Éireann been on to them. No one can contact Bus Éireann. I am asking now for a dedicated line for TDs where I can pick up the phone and have someone in there on the phone. I have children with really serious special needs, additional needs and disabilities and they had no school for six weeks and no answers from anyone. No one has been picking up the phone. It is unbelievable. I have raised it with the Minister. I have raised it on the floor of the Dáil. I am here now today and I am looking for a commitment, not only for the TDs but for parents with children with special and additional needs, that Bus Éireann would have someone they can contact. The thing about it is, I put in a different question last week and got an answer within three days. This was on something that was unrelated to school transport for children attending special schools. Can someone explain that to me please?