Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I also have questions on school buses. While both of these questions relate to local issues, I am sure they are repeated across the country. The Minister might be aware that the Firhouse Educate Together students would prefer to temporarily locate within their community to the Stocking Lane site, which was previously considered by the Department but disregarded due to costs. Currently, they are being asked to commute across south Dublin, which gives rise to various problems. Many of these children have special needs and using a bus to commute is not compatible for them. I know this is an ongoing issue and I ask the Minister to intervene here for the well-being of the children and their families.

I also have a question from the students of St. Paul's secondary school, which is also in my constituency. They have lost the private contract from Dublin Bus to their and neighbouring schools and although an alternative public route has recently become available, this is not sufficient for many students.

What actions can the Department take, together with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, to reinstate this service and ensure others like it throughout the country are not lost?

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