Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Burke spoke about school transport and asked for the Minister for Education to attend the House for a debate. She will actually be in the Chamber at 6.30 p.m. for Fine Gael's Private Members' business. She also attended the education committee this morning.

There are particular pinch points. Free school transport was signed off on by the three Government parties, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party. The intention was good and many families have benefited to the tune of €650. However, there was undoubtedly extra demand because it was made free. Some people took tickets when they did not need them and are not using them. That poses a challenge. If we are to continue the scheme next year, we must consider having a nominal charge so as to put a value on it and ensure that those who purchase tickets actually want to use them. We will see a breakthrough in this issue in the budget's cost-of-living package. Obviously, I do not know the details of that, but it is a top priority for the Government to address the school transport issue and alleviate those concerns. My view is that we need to get rid of concessionary and eligible tickets. Any child who wants a school bus place should be given one. We want to get cars off the roads. Facilitating children in using school transport should be the aspiration, not this concessionary and eligible nonsense that is causing challenges all over the country.

Senator McGahon spoke about mental health supports, specifically the INTO's request for additional mental health supports in schools and reducing the pupil-teacher ratio. While we have made great progress in reducing the ratio in recent years, we still have a long way to go. Everyone would love to reduce it to 20 students per teacher, which is the aim, or even less. That is where we need to go and it is a top priority for the Minister for Education.

I concur with the remarks of Senator Maria Byrne, who acknowledged that Shannon Airport and Ireland West Airport Knock had been short-listed for recognition as age-friendly airports. I can attest first-hand to the services provided at Ireland West Airport Knock. When I brought my grandmother through it, the service was amazing and the people there could not do enough for us. I have no doubt that Shannon is the same. I wish them both well in the competition.

Senator Malcolm Byrne spoke about the need for a post-budget debate on funding for the higher education sector. That request will be made and I hope that the Minister, Deputy Harris, will be able to return to the Chamber after being here for many lengthy debates recently. I am sure that he will be more than willing to return after the budget to discuss the funding of higher education. It has been an ongoing saga. Ever since the Cassells report, it has not been addressed. We need to get to grips with it.

The Senator also mentioned Borleagh Manor in Gorey. The film industry in Ireland is thriving. Some high-level celebrities have come to Mayo in recent times to film, for example, Ms Emily Blunt. It is great to see locations like Borleagh Manor doing so well.

Senator Dolan encouraged us all to go west over the weekend. I concur with her remarks. She spoke about the National Ploughing Championships, the Ballinasloe agricultural show and a new festival, the Night & Day Festival, which is taking place in Roscommon. I believe it is the journalist, Mr. Craig Hughes, who is organising that. I wish it well. It is great to see other people setting up new festivals beyond the east of the country.

Senator Seery Kearney spoke about Cherry Orchard, which I have addressed, and the consistent underfunding in deprived areas that lead to these social problems. We wonder why they are happening but it is because we have not supported these communities and they have been left behind.

Senator Conway spoke about the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland and its pre-budget request for funding towards its national care centre and rehabilitative services. He also wished those participating in Culture Night, including the Oireachtas, the best for the event.