Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, we need clarity as soon as possible. The review on the school bus service that is ongoing was raised at the previous meeting. It has been going on since 2019. Covid intervened, but I do not think Covid is with us any longer, so we need to get that review brought to a conclusion so that we can see what changes we can make.

I acknowledge the fact that the school transport system works to a certain extent, but I think every Deputy in the House knows and has experience of queries last August, September, October, November, December and January from people who previously were getting concessionary tickets and who were refused them last year. The bus was passing them by, where people had not taken up their allocation of tickets and there were seats on the bus. The school transport team on the ground was taking the brunt of the anger from parents about this, which was totally unfair as well. I acknowledge the work they have done, but it is important that we get it right this year to make up for the anomalies and the unintended consequences people suffered last year.

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