Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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I thank all of the contributors to the discussion. This is a huge issue in my constituency which covers County Offaly and north Tipperary and of concern to many parents. I have been contacted by many of them about it even before they have received decisions. The way many of them were treated last year was nothing short of a disgrace. There is no flexibility whatsoever in the system and that is my main concern. It disregards social and community links. We have had a situation where children in County Offaly have been told to attend the nearest school which is in County Westmeath, even though many of them are connected with GAA clubs in County Offaly, which are at the heart of rural communities. This totally disregards rural communities, for which there is a lack of respect and understanding. I have made a comprehensive submission to the Minister of State, Deputy John Halligan, a copy of which I have with me, and if anyone from Bus Éireann would like to see a copy, he or she can most certainly do so as it is full of solutions. I am not complaining just for the sake of it and do have solutions to offer.

The system, in its current form, just does not work. Parents complain every year and I am sure Bus Éireann is inundated with complaints. I recognise the fact that it has provided more buses for children with special needs, which I welcome, but there are flaws in the system which is failing children and rural communities. We need to work out the proper way forward.

I find it astounding that not one of the almost 600 appeals to the school transport appeals board since 2014 has been upheld. What does this say to those appealing? In general, parents do not go through this mechanism unless they feel really aggrieved and believe they must do so. Does the Department have a breakdown of appeals? Is there a noticeable trend in the type of appeal submitted? Is an annual report provided for the Department on the decision-making? If so, I would like to see it because there should be transparency. Is the board subject to scrutiny by the Ombudsman? Have appeals been made to the Ombudsman?

I ask the Department, in particular, to reaffirm the commitment that there will be no downsizing of buses this year. That is what we were led to believe would happen last year.

Given the trend of an increase in the numbers of pupils availing of it, is it likely, in the absence of increased capacity in the school bus service, that those availing of the concessionary transport scheme will lose seats? What percentage of new applicants are seeking to avail of the scheme this year? What percentage of those granted a school transport place for the first time last year were concessionary transport scheme bus pass holders?

The previous review of the school transport service was very disappointing and did little to address this growing issue. As I stated, the nearest school rule is failing communities and we need to work through it in a pragmatic manner. Much of what is happening is not pragmatic and does not make sense. We have a school route in County Donegal that takes the children over a mountain pass. We speak about health and safety in schools all of the time and the Department sends circular after circular, but we see this as ridiculous. It does not make sense to me and must be tackled head on.

A report was to be published in June and I would like to know the reason for the hold-up. I have to meet parents to explain what is happening and would like to be updated before I meet them.