Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I absolutely see the benefit of the school transport scheme. I referred to this earlier and nobody knows it better than I do given the constituency I come from. It is an integral part of the system. I also know there are opportunities to do things differently. That is the reason I instigated the review of the entire scheme. The Deputy is correct that this measure is an enormous addition for families who are benefiting from it on a waived-fee basis. It addresses climate action and eases the burden for families as regards pick-up times. Whether we have the opportunity to do it next year will be a financial and budgetary consideration. Irrespective of some of the challenges we face this year, and even despite them, the system has worked well for 124,000 children in mainstream education. We are working through the challenges for those in need of concessionary tickets. Everything will be taken into consideration but it will be a budgetary decision.