Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his appointment, as I did not have the opportunity to do so last week, and I wish him well in his role.

I refer to an important issue that involves many communities, both urban and rural. I seek a debate on school transport catchment boundaries and traffic management audits and plans with a specific focus on the review of catchment boundaries. In the area I come from, siblings are being separated and they can no longer attend the same schools. Demographics have changed rapidly in many suburban and rural towns. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Education and Science to the House for a debate? This issue arises every September when schools resume and it needs to be urgently addressed. School catchment boundaries have been in place for decades and are outdated. The Joint Committee on Education and Science examined this issue during the previous Seanad but it should be addressed as a matter of urgency.