Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To pick up on that point, it is infuriating given there are obvious, simple solutions that do not seem to be listened to when we put them forward. This was well intended, but a lot of the problems we are talking about have been caused by us, the Government, and that is just a fact. Everyone who has been in that situation and who has been left without a seat on the bus is well aware that because it was made free for everyone and, therefore, everyone decided they were going to take it, that even included people who did not necessarily need it. Because of the announcement in the budget, people thought all of this was going to be resolved, but it has not been resolved and that is just a fact. A certain number of people now take the bus and they are very grateful for that. Their way of life has gone back to normal through being able to get on a bus and go to work and not having to make changes on the back of it. However, there are still people who cannot get on a bus.

As recently as today, I received an email from the principal of a school in Cahir, who told me that even kids who attend the autism spectrum disorder class in his school are still not sure when their bus is going to be available. The school has parents who bring children from Clonmel and Kilsheelan every day, and one pupil who is meant to come from Fethard has been unable to come because no transport is available for him. The principal stated the school has been waiting eight weeks into the school year, with Hallowe'en next Monday, and that notwithstanding all the problems with school transport this year, children are still unable to attend school, particularly those with additional educational needs. He went on to write that the school has not heard final confirmation of when the service is to start and underlined that that is not acceptable. The fact that kids with additional educational needs cannot get to school is just unacceptable. The principal keeps trying to contact the Department of Education and keeps coming to us looking for information on how we can resolve these problems. If we cannot resolve these ones, what are we at?

I recognise that much has been done over recent weeks, but we are eight weeks in and we are still getting emails like this about cases. I am sure other Senators are in the same position. Vulnerable people, at the very least, need to be supported to get an education.