Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right that there has been a huge spike in oil and gas prices. We see that at the petrol pump and in the gas bills people are getting. However, it is expected that it will not be permanent. It is impossible to know exactly what the price of oil or gas will do but the leading experts say it is due to a variety of immediate issues which may lead to prices coming down as they unwind. In the meantime, it is a very significant issue. The Deputy raised the specific example of the school transport grant for parents of a child with a disability who have to drive. The Minister for Education is responsible for this area. I will pass this on to her to see if there is any flexibility within the scheme. It is an immediate issue and we will take whatever measures we can to help. I will certainly pass that on. I cannot promise anything but I would love to see what the Minister says in reply.

See this speech in context