Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Senator's frustration. It must be acknowledged that 149,000 children travelled to school on a school bus last year. Many of them had additional needs and were accompanied on the bus. It is an enormous logistical operation. As the country is at full employment, there are issues with getting home care and the same applies with getting bus drivers. We often hear reference in the Dáil to the fact that once bus drivers reach the age of 70, they can no longer drive unless they drive for a private company. It is an issue that has been spoken about frequently. We are challenged in many areas, including construction and hospitality.

The Minister wants to reiterate that no service has been cancelled. While the lack of contractors and drivers is extremely regrettable, Bus Éireann is prioritising the establishment of new services for the small number of families affected. I again mention the exceptional interim grant. I will bring the Senator's frustration to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Foley, and her office. It is certainly not acceptable for a parent to have to take one hour's annual leave every day to drop her children to school. I will certainly bring that back.