Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. Over the years, school transport has been a very complicated issue. The Government and its Ministers have much to be doing. Sometimes people may say that an issue falls outside their remit and is the responsibility of Bus Éireann or someone other entity. We need leadership on this issue in order to address the situation. Ireland has changed a great deal. Many people have cars, but if we want parents of young children to continue to work in this robust economy, everything must be done to help. We talk about childcare and taxes, but school transport for children is an issue that needs to be fixed. The system needs to be flexible. We need to get round these draconian rules and regulations. Common sense must prevail. We need more bus drivers. It is difficult to get people into all the service industries, but more bus drivers and buses are needed. This could possibly be achieved, as I said, by allowing people over 70 years of age to drive buses once they pass a yearly medical.

We need a proper school bus system. Much has been done with the rural transport scheme and many routes between rural areas and towns and villages have been provided. There has been significant take-up, which is very welcome. However, we need to do an awful lot more in respect of school transport. If action is taken, streets will no longer be choked with morning traffic and the overall carbon footprint will be reduced. More importantly, working parents will be able to get out to work knowing that the their children can get to school safely by bus. I look forward to the pilot scheme. It is a step forward, but we need to do a great deal more.

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