Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will address the first point that Senator Lombard raised regarding school transport. The Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, committed to doing her very best to ensure she got funding to address the school transport debacle particularly regarding those who previously had concessionary tickets. I am happy to confirm she received that extra funding. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, was very understanding of the situation so many families and students found themselves in. My understanding is that this funding is in place and that the task now is for Bus Éireann to sort the extra buses and drivers. Students who had previous concessionary tickets will be prioritised during roll-out and those who have applied for concessionary tickets for the first time will then be looked at. This is extremely important and we have to appreciate the efforts both Ministers made in terms of trying to sort this particular issue.

While I am talking about transport, the extension of the 20% and 50% fare discount for young people on public transport is particularly welcome. As we know, this discount has been extended to private operators also. The clarification yesterday that 16- to 18-year-olds in third level education will be able to avail of this extension, as indeed will mature students over 23, was particularly significant.That was particularly significant yesterday. In my own area of Kildare there will have been some disappointment that the extension of the short-hop zone was not mentioned. That is something I am certainly very committed to for up to 50 km, indeed it is now Fianna Fáil policy, as is the extension of the medium-hop zone to 75 km.

A number of us met a lot of different people around Leinster House during our pre-budget meetings. One of the groups that had a profound impact on me was the Neurological Alliance of Ireland. The Deputy Leader will know Laura Reid Costello, whom we would have known before she had her traumatic injury. She is a wonderful woman, full of energy and vitality, who is inspirational in so many ways. It is incredible to see how far she has come in the last three years.

I was also fortunate to meet Dr. Rosie Mangan from Daingean in Offaly, who had a most unfortunate car accident while she was doing research in Brazil and had to be airlifted back to Ireland. Their asks were really important. Rosie has to travel four hours every day from Daingean to a place called An Saol in Dublin. We all know that the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire does incredible work but it really can only take a small number of people at any particular time. An Saol does really excellent work. Brain injury surpasses many diseases as the major cause of disability. The vast majority of people under 65 who are in nursing homes are there because of acquired brain injury. We absolutely need to do everything we can to help support this cohort, including ensuring that An Saol receives extra funding. Only two out of our nine community healthcare organisations have dedicated teams in respect of acquired brain injury. This commitment was made back in 2019. We need to follow up on it. I would appreciate if the Deputy Leader could organise a debate in the Seanad on acquired brain injury.