Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Page 86 of the programme for Government states that education is the key to giving every child an equal opportunity in life and no child should be left behind in the economic recovery. Unfortunately, we are in week four of the school year and many children are being left behind because they cannot avail of the school transport service. Some children who are not eligible for the service but have been accepted on a concessionary basis cannot board a school bus. One case in Waterford involves three brothers aged 12, nine and six years who have travelled on the bus together for years. This year, the six year old cannot use the bus while his brothers still use it. The youngest boy is not eligible, whereas the other two boys have concessionary tickets. What plans does the Government have to deal with the children who are not accessing school transport?

See this speech in context