Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)

The school transport scheme is an annual crisis for families, students and bus drivers who are left in the dark at a time when they should be focused on the return to school. One case that really highlights the chaos of this scheme is that of a man living near Loughrea whose two children attend a school in Ballinasloe. They have been left without school transport since the school year started. They attend the school in question to access speech and language supports. While a school bus has been sanctioned, delays in procuring this bus means the father has had to be out of work for the past number of weeks to bring them to and from school. There is already a school bus that travels from Loughrea to Ballinasloe and passes the school the children attend but we are still waiting to be told whether another stop at this school can be added so the children can avail of the existing bus route. The communication to date it has been abysmal, as it is in almost every case. That man may be forced to take his children out of the school if this drags on for any longer. I ask that the Department sees sense and ensures a proper solution to this particular case as soon as possible.

There have been many other examples recently of children with additional needs locally being left without school transport. St. Teresa's in Ballinasloe was one such example. Parents felt they had to highlight their cases publicly to get a resolution. That is not acceptable. The Minister's Department should be moving heaven and earth to ensure children with additional needs have school transport services from the very beginning of the school year.

On the school transport scheme more broadly, I have submitted questions to the Minister of State regarding the development of a digital school bus pass. I have made many queries about bus tickets not being posted or being posted to the wrong address. Surely a digital pass is something that can be put in place in 2025. The school transport 2030 review has not been fully implemented. There has been no change to the nearest school distance criteria. Children who are being excluded from the scheme are being forced to walk dangerous roads to their pick-up points and there have not been serious efforts to bring more drivers into the system.

I appreciate that the school transport scheme is an incredibly complex undertaking but I ask that Government prioritise reforming the scheme so it can adapt to local needs and be fit for the 21st century.

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