Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

This is a very simple case. Annascaul is in the catchment area of Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibne. Unfortunately, the child in this matter and four others in the area have learning difficulties and are exempt from Irish. Having learning difficulties is tough enough, but to try to do it as Gaeilge is even more difficult. As they are exempt from Irish, these children are now being taught at the secondary school in Milltown, and they are doing very well there. The parents drop off and pick up their children at Inch every morning and evening and they are taken from there to Milltown by bus. The round trip to and from Milltown is 85 miles. If a bigger bus was bought, it would make a big difference to the families involved.

They are exempt from Irish due to their learning difficulties. I have spoken to the bus inspector in Kerry and he told me that his hands were tied. I suggested that I would have to bring it to the Dáil to find out if the Minister could do something for these people. If these children continue in the education system, it is not sustainable for their parents to be expected to afford, or to have the wherewithal, to drive 85 miles a day over a five-year period to bring them to and from school. As it involves children with learning difficulties who are exempt from having to learn Irish, this is a special needs case. Although they are in the catchment area of Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in Dingle, they are exempt from the Irish language requirement. The only alternative they have is the secondary school in Milltown. I ask the Minister to provide for a bus with an additional three or five seats to collect the children in Inch and thereby alleviate much of the hardship of the family I have mentioned.

See this speech in context