Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael)

I wish to advocate on behalf of those seeking the implementation of a dedicated Bus Éireann secondary school transport route to Tralee from north Kerry, specifically servicing the communities of Lixnaw and Abbeydorney. In these communities, 19 families and 29 students face significant challenges due to the absence of a structured reliable transport service. At present, parents are forced to pay out of their own pockets for private transport arrangements. This is placing an unnecessary financial strain on households. Beyond the cost, families must drive miles to reach scattered pick-up points just to ensure their children can access education in Tralee. This is an unfair and unsustainable burden on rural families.

In addition, population growth in Lixnaw and Abbeydorney indicates that demand for school transport will continue to rise. If action is not taken now, these problems will only worsen. This will leave more families grappling with logistical and financial difficulties. An important aspect of this issue is that many of the affected children attend Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí in Tralee which is the Irish language school available to them. Under existing entitlements, they should have access to a designated bus service and yet this rise is currently being overlooked. These students and their families deserve the same consideration and support as those in other areas where transport routes are provided.

I urge the Minister for education to act swiftly to ensure this service is put in place by the next school year. Families cannot afford another year of financial strain and logistical difficulties just to access basic education. An immediate collaboration with Bus Éireann and local stakeholders is essential to provide a structured solution without delay. Councillor Aoife Kennelly is supporting this group and is advocating for it to deliver this route that is needed. As I said, 19 families and 29 students have no transport to get into Tralee for education. Will the Leader invite the Minister to come to the Seanad with a detailed response, hopefully in support of this critical route?