Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There has been much conversation in respect of the cost of living. I wish to raise the issue of school transport and, in particular, the plight of about 20 families who live in the small village of Kilnaleck in County Cavan. I have before me the petition of at least 20 families, all of which have at least two or three children attending schools in Cavan town. Cavan town is the families' second choice when it comes to school transport. The Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, recently commissioned a body of work with Bus Éireann to perhaps provide students with their second option. I ask the Minister to please expedite that. These families are paying up to €1,400 extra for a private bus service to bring the children to Cavan town. That should not be necessary. They should have a second option available to get them to school. In these times, with the increase in the cost of living, the situation for these families is unsustainable. This is not a new problem; it has existed in Kilnaleck for several years. It is important that we support these families to get their children to school every day.

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