Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 30 November 2022

Select Committee on Education and Skills

Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 26 - Education (Supplementary)
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary)

Photo of Rose Conway-WalshRose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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Most of my questions have been answered but I want to ask about school transport under Vote 26. When did the Minister say the review will be completed? In the Supplementary Estimates, €69 million is allocated for additional places in 2022, but the difficulty is that some families are still left behind. I will give an example of a family in Charlestown. They have two children, James and Clodagh. James is registered blind. Both children have always taken the bus to school until this year. They still do not have seats on the bus. James and Clodagh's parents have tried to get transport for James through the school but they are still waiting for that. Even if they are awarded transport, Clodagh will not be able to go to school with him. The reason I give that example is that while it was very good we were able to provide free transport, the way it was rolled out was terrible. Situations where children like James and Clodagh cannot get on the bus, it makes things difficult for their parents. When will the review be finished? What can we do to alleviate cases of people who deserve transport?