Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the specific difficulty being experienced by many of the students referred to by the Deputy. I will definitely reflect this issue to the Minister. Her intention and hope is that the changes being progressed from the wider review of the school transport scheme will bring about a situation that will ensure more students nationwide can qualify for and access the school transport scheme in the future. This is the wider impetus of our intention and of the collaboration I have seen between the Departments of Transport and Education in that context. I will most definitely reflect the concerns and the feedback raised by the Deputy regarding the difficulties interfacing being encountered with the current scheme and that this situation will leave students without any specific service for September.

As part of the analysis undertaken for the review, the Department has identified projected growth of pupil numbers nationally. There is wider engagement with stakeholders, including families and school communities, as part of the changes being implemented. It is intended to commence implementing revised eligibility criteria for the 2025-26 school year in addition to the pilots I referred to in my initial contribution. I will raise the feedback mentioned and bring it to the attention of the Minister in respect of the specific concerns raised by the Deputy.

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