Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is welcome to the Seanad. As the Senator who raised the matter on the Order of Business, I have a few points, although most of the Senators have dealt with the issues. The changes to the scheme are too blunt and there is not much of a humanitarian or practical aspect to them. There will always be difficulties in change.

I gave examples before and do not wish to repeat them but the nub of the matter concerns people with medical cards. Some 8% of people on the school transport scheme were receiving benefit under the medical card scheme, and as Senator Cullinane noted, perhaps 1% are affected in having to pay ¤350. I have given examples where people live on a road where a bus to Kilkenny city passes the door. When a child applied for a ticket for the bus, the parents were told he could not go on the bus with his sister and that the nearest school was in Thomastown. The parents in question would have to drive the child two miles every morning in order to get a second bus. That is impractical, and if a bus stops outside a house to collect one child, another child should be allowed on the bus, whether the cost is ¤350. That is why the scheme should be reviewed.

This also limits parents' choice of schools. There are six educational centres at secondary level in Kilkenny city, and there is a large catchment area in the adjoining villages within five or six miles. If somebody lives just outside the criteria for Kilkenny city, the children are instructed to go to places like Thomastown, Castlecomer or Ballyhale. There is nothing wrong with those education centres but if a pupil's brothers or sisters are attending Kilkenny city schools, and the parents have attended schools there, there should be a choice in schools.

I accept that savings had to be made in the Department but a blunt instrument has been used. Departmental officials did not really consider the humanitarian side of this. The 1% of people in question do not have much of a voice and will not be on the street protesting, and I do not support protests at any stage. The only avenue available for these people is lobbying Members like Senators or Deputies or county councillors.

I know the Minister of State knows his brief well and may review the system next year. The savings could be found in other areas in the Department. The action in this area was not properly thought out, although I am not blaming the Minister of State. There are people in middle Ireland who do not receive any entitlements from the State and they are trying to educate their children the best they can. Those people may have children in university, meaning they are liable for registration fees. They may have a child going to secondary school and if they do not have a medical card, they may not have free transport and have to pay for a concessionary ticket. As Senator Whelan pointed out, the concessionary ticket process is hit and miss because if a bus is full, the pupil will still not get to the school.

I ask the Minister of State to review the scheme. I know the departmental officials formulated the process with savings in mind but we could reconsider this scheme. Perhaps we should include people's past records, including where siblings went to school, as well as a free choice in education. I thank the Minister of State for his attention.