Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Earlier this year, the Minister, Deputy Foley, published the review of the school transport scheme and the proposed changes. It was very welcome. The report was long overdue. It is a scheme that does need modernisation to take account of the travelling patterns of children going to school today. However, I am concerned that some of the proposals will take some years to implement. There is a situation in Delvin in County Westmeath where 36 students have applied for school transport tickets but they will not get a school bus. They will have to go on a private bus. Castledaly in County Westmeath needs a larger school bus or for the current school bus to do two trips to support working parents to have public transport to bring their children to school. Will the Tánaiste engage with the Minister for Education to ensure that some of the more practical, flexible proposals under the school transport review could be implemented this September so that we support children to go to school on public transport?

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