Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the review which is well due after five years. I accept that the last one was carried out under Fianna Fáil and that the criteria were set down at that time. However, we need to review the scheme. I, therefore, look forward to the meeting with Bus Éireann tomorrow.

The problem I highlighted is just one example of a vast array of fundamental problems with the school transport scheme. When I approach the Department, the head of school transport in Bus Éireann or the local office with any problem on behalf of a constituent, the standard, robotic response blindly quotes the legislation. No matter what I do, that is what I get back. Then I am told that we are the legislators and that it is for us to change the scheme. That is why I welcome the review. We in this House must change the legislation if that is what is necessary because Bus Éireann only implements the legislation handed down by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. These problems will not go away until legislative action is taken.

The School Transport Appeals Board is absolutely not fit for purpose. In response to a parliamentary question I tabled recently, I was informed that not one appeal had been successful in 2015 or 2016. Is it for show that we have the appeals board? The total payments to the members of the board in 2015 amounted to €14,403. This year to date, the payments made amount to €10,844. The board needs to be scrapped with immediate effect before another penny is wasted. The fact that no appeal has been successful in two years tells a story.

When a Deputy or any public representative wants to make an appeal, in Waterford in our case, we just get the robotic answer: "We can do nothing." An inspector has all the power and no one can overrule him or her. What he or she says stands and we have no say. I need to see an appeals system or some concessionary system in place in order that we would be able to go to someone to make our case and be heard. There are genuine cases, in which perhaps 100 m is the difference between a child getting on or not getting on a bus and families being split. I want an appeals board that listens to the concerns of Deputies, Senators and other political representatives. I ask the Minister of State to take this on board and ensure there will be an appeals system in place that will work for the people. That is what we stood up in 1965 when schools were amalgamated and it is the principle to which we should return.

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