Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy McDonald raised the issue of school transport in respect of Carrigaline Community Special School. It was a very good announcement and decision that we, together with the ETB, got that school up and running so quickly, which was necessary. The ETB and Bus Éireann should ensure there is proper school transport. I will engage with the Minister and the parties involved in the development of that school, which is providing good quality education for the children who needed access to special education in what has been a challenging context for quite a number of years. We have put a particular focus on facilitating access to this school for the children involved.

I take Deputy Cian O'Callaghan's very fair point on Irish Rail and access issues. I will work with the Minister in making this an absolute requirement across the board in respect of that issue. Deputy Boyd Barrett raised it also.

I will revert to the Minister on the issue of more funding for the electric vehicle, EV, taxi system. I have no issue with more funding to facilitate more utilisation and take-up of electric vehicles by taxi drivers.

I have dealt with the issue raised by Deputy Paul Murphy. We are not cutting public transport initiatives. Some €165 billion over the next ten years has been allocated in the NDP, at a ratio of 2:1 in favour of public transport over cars.

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