Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This has been brought to my attention by Good Shepherd Cork, a charity based in Cork and one the Minister of State will be familiar with, that runs shelters such as Edel House, Shanaway House, and others. The issue primarily arises with children as it impacts on their ability to access school and other services. The emergency accommodation could be located far away and might not be proximate to the school. School transport is organised on the basis of routes. They are planned according to the number of children and the nearest school and second nearest school. School transport might no longer be viable or might not work for a child with a new address. The conclusion of the Good Shepherd service is that the only logical way of ensuring that these children are supported with their transport costs is the provision of a free travel pass. I know the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, DRHE, has provided Leap cards in its area but the Good Shepherd service and others have not been successful in getting that expanded to other areas. Will the Department consider whether free travel could be extended to children and families in those circumstances, as it might be a viable way to ensure that they do not miss out on school?

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