Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have prepared a litany of examples of children trying to access school transport in recent months in the run-up to the new school year. There has been year after year of people left standing on the road, unable to send their children to school. Like many colleagues, I have many examples of parents frantically contacting local Deputies, including me, to get answers as to why they do not have school transport available to their children's school.

For example, one parent said that in the past couple of years access to basic services, including therapeutics supports, OT, etc., supportive equipment and even medical supports have been increasingly difficult to access, and that parents and families of children with additional needs are under enormous pressure already without having to deal with the absence of school bus services. This person went on to say that the family had applied for individual transport for their son in March 2023, as he was finding it difficult on the present service. This parent was in contact with the Department, and a letter was requested, via email and telephone in April 2023, from the child's team, which was supplied by the school. No more emails were received, despite updates being requested. In August 2023, this parent received an email, marked "high priority", from the Department requesting that a form be filled out and returned as soon as possible. That form was returned the following day, but, to date, this person has not received a report. Another email was sent on 5 September but a response still has been received. I was again contacted just last Friday by a parent who has to travel to pick up her child from a Gaelcholáiste because there is no direct bus to the school. The school bus transport could make a small detour that would mean another cohort of students could be picked up from a particular estate. There is plenty of room on the bus, but there is a "Computer says no" attitude.

I represent an urban constituency, yet we experience some of the problems our rural communities face every year. We need a comprehensive school bus transport system that is responsive to the needs of students. In particular, this service needs a radical overhaul in respect of children with additional needs. No student should be left behind because of any difficulties they have. They should have this public transport system available to them when they need it.

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