Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed with the Minister of State's response. There are eligible children who have been eligible for six years, and used the bus for six years. They were not concessionary, they were eligible. However, because they are repeating their leaving certificate, they do not get a seat. Students receive their leaving certificate results on 16 August. They currently need to apply for a seat on the bus on the 5 May. In other words, they have to apply before they actually sit their leaving certificate.

The system is broken where people who repeat their leaving certificate are concerned. I take on board that the Minister of State thinks it is a good system. However, it does not take into account the 1,800 people who repeat their leaving certificate. That is a huge cohort. These people are going through stress. They have huge problems going back to sixth year, going into a new school environment and pushing themselves to get great results. They do not need this stress and hassle. They have spent six years on the bus, but because they are outside the timeline they do not get a seat. We need a special protocol for this cohort. The system is broken when one takes into consideration the way it deals with them.