Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for her remarks. Bus Éireann has fulfilled its obligations and is working to fill outstanding obligations. The company's obligation was to cater for those who applied on time and who fulfilled the criteria. It would not have been appropriate to change the criteria midstream in the midst of an entire review of the school transport system. It would have thrown up other issues and challenges. Bus Éireann has been charged with providing the transport for those who fulfilled the criteria and who registered on time. They are doing that. Some 124,000 children and young people are benefiting from that, which is a 21% increase on where we were last year. Equally, when the Deputy speaks about concessionary tickets, they are for those who do not meet the criteria. Concessionary tickets are for those who receive a seat on the bus where there is availability after those who are eligible have received a seat.

Despite what is being discussed here, this year alone there has been an increase of one third in concessionary ticket holders receiving seats on the bus. Notwithstanding that there are those who may have received concessionary tickets in the past, that can change year on year. It is not unique to this year. I have referenced the fact that there can be changes in the locality whether it is families moving in, housing developments or whatever, concessionaries know that and are aware of that. I do not take from the difficulties and challenges it is providing for families.

Therefore we are doing all that we can to go an extra mile, no pun intended, for the families who are currently outside the system who are concessionary ticket holders, that is, not eligible. I am in discussions with the Minister for Finance to see if there is scope in this budget. As always in the school transport system, the initiative initially was to meet the obligation to those who are eligible and who meet the criteria. That has been done and is being done. As I say the discussion in terms of those who are outside-----