David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I have read the transport report he mentioned. That report acknowledges inequality of access to such transport provision. The two questions focused on young people with intellectual disabilities. I acknowledge that considerable work has been done across the country for people with disabilities accessing transport. I ask the Minister to zero in on people like the fabulous young lady with Down's syndrome whom I mentioned. I am sure he will agree that she has a right to attend third-level education. Perhaps this should come under the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. She cannot go on a public transport bus because she is very vulnerable. She is innocent. She is fantastic and is loved by her parents. She needs to get to her place of further education but she cannot. Last week the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, told me in the Dáil that a PA route is a solution, and perhaps it is. Will the Minister agree to look into this? Can we provide PA services so that this young woman has an escort to travel with her on the bus to ensure she arrives at her place of training safely?

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