Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)

Every single year, there seems to be an issue with the school transport scheme and a last-minute collapse in arrangements. As a public representative, I am fairly fed up at this stage. There was a review last year, but things have not improved. In fact, in my view, it has never been worse. This issue does not just affect the child but also the family. I know of a family who were told four days before 1 September that they had no arrangement in place. The mother had spent 17 long years at home caring for her child and got a job, which she was due to start on 1 September. She now cannot start because she has no clarity as to when her child will get school transport. This needs real leadership from the Minister to ensure the Department of education and Bus Éireann get their act together and ensure there is school transport for all children in this country with special educational needs.

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