Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, and thank him for taking the time to address this important issue. I am advocating for the urgent implementation of a dedicated Bus Éireann secondary school transport route to Tralee in County Kerry, specifically servicing the communities of Lixnaw and Abbeydorney, which are located in north Kerry, where I currently reside. 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 pocket for private transport arrangements, placing unnecessary financial strain on households. Beyond the cost, families must drive up to 14 km a day just to reach scattered pick-up points, which is an unfair and unsustainable burden on rural families. The strain is not just financial. It is physical and emotional. Parents are forced to juggle work, childcare and long daily commutes, all because a basic public service is lacking. The current system does not reflect the real educational needs or realities of these families.

Of the 29 affected students we know of, 11 attend Mercy Mounthawk in Tralee, 11 attend Tralee CBS, and seven attend Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí, the closest Irish language secondary school available to these students. This is a crucial point. Students attending Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí should, under current entitlements, be supported by a designated school transport route. There should be a clear responsibility for Bus Éireann and the Department to assist students in attending Irish medium education, not only to nurture our language and culture but also to ensure equitable access to such opportunities.

Providing a dedicated school bus route along the R557 would not just alleviate pressures on these families but would also open the door for more students to attend an Irish language school and experience the broader curriculum options offered in Tralee's secondary schools. Education through our native language, combined with expanded subject choices, should not be a privilege reserved for those who can afford private transport. Meanwhile, a Local Link service, the 272 from Tralee to Ballybunion, runs daily with fewer passengers than the numbers we are talking about here because extra capacity was put in place because of population rises in these areas. If that is viable, surely a dedicated school transport service with a clear, growing demand deserves equal consideration.

The time has come to move beyond outdated catchment policies and towards a demand-led approach that reflects how families live and learn today. If we fail to act now, we risk further isolating rural students and deepening inequality in access to education. I urge the Government to work closely with Bus Éireann and local stakeholders to ensure this service is in place by the start of the next school year. Families cannot afford another year of logistical challenges and financial hardship just to access basic education. Education should never be compromised by inadequate transport. The Government must ensure rural students have the same access and opportunities as their urban peers. I welcome any updates the Minister of State may have on discussions with Bus Éireann regarding this proposal and look forward to seeing meaningful progress made without delay.