Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I understand there is waste and will give examples affecting my constituents. I have experienced this myself as I must drive through these areas. A 40-seater bus serves a small place called Paulstown and brings children to Kilkenny but seven children have been left off. I believe that it would not cost an awful lot of money to provide a 50-seater bus.

I disagree with the changes that have been made to the qualifying criteria for concessionary transport. I know that the Department is not to blame for the changes because we, as politicians, are responsible for the changes. I come from a little place called Ballyhale which is in the southern part of County Kilkenny. In 1967, the three primary schools in the locality were amalgamated into one school. For 40 years there were no problems and everything worked beautifully but all of a sudden these changes were made. My grandchildren attend the school. Unfortunately, after a service being continuously provided for 40 years in the parish, due to the changes that were made here, parents of the children have been told that they should send their children to a different parish because that school is nearer. That is crazy stuff as everyone will agree who knows the loyalty that people have to their parishes, particularly in rural areas. While I am not talking about all rural areas, people tend to be very loyal to their parishes. There is religious loyalty because one receives the holy sacraments of baptism, first communion and confirmation in one's parish church. All of that has gone on for generations and the same applies to hurling, football, soccer of whatever sport one plays. Unfortunately, at the stroke of a pen we, as politicians, changed the criteria in 2010 or whenever. Therefore, after three generations have availed of school transport, parents have been told they must send their children to their nearest schools. I measured the distance that obliged one family in the parish, with three children, to travel. It was 0.25 km and the family was told the children had to attend a school located outside of the parish. We all know that one's loyalty is to one's parish. The family was told this because of the new criteria and, unfortunately, siblings will be separated as a result. The older siblings can attend one school but the next lot must attend school in another parish, which is nearer in terms of kilometres but not in any other way. That is a crazy situation so we must review the matter. I do not blame the Department for this situation. It is us, the politicians, who must review the scheme. I ask the Minister and my own party to review the matter and I hope it will be reviewed shortly. I ask the Secretary General to comment.