James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

This is my first contribution since the Dáil returned. I look forward to the next number of months. I thank the Minister of State for his ongoing engagement regarding school transport. I will address the pilot scheme for the Kilcredan school area. When this was brought forward, a lot of us were thrilled because we felt it would bring about a permanent solution. It has been very difficult dealing with school bus issues in this area because, unfortunately, the traditional parish dynamic of rural communities, which is extremely important to people in rural Ireland, is being affected by distance-based judgements about who is and is not eligible for school transport. About six families are still affected despite the pilot scheme. Given that this is a pilot scheme with the ambition of tackling this issue, could this finally be put to rest? We need a slight solution with regard to a larger-scale bus. I have been in contact with the Minister of State, who works exceptionally hard. Nobody would doubt that but we would like to see a solution for the parents and children in the Kilcredan catchment covering Ballymacoda, Ladysbridge and Garryvoe. It has been a long-standing problem over a long number of years. I add my voice to those of so many other Deputies here and ask that the over-70s limit on bus drivers for school transport be dealt with. I understand it is with the board of Bus Éireann but it is desperately needed if people are medically fit to operate school bus services

See this speech in context