I listened today in shock at an interview given on the RTE news by the Minister responsible John Halligan on problems that have arisen with regard to school students who have concessionary school bus tickets. During the interview Minister Halligan acknowledged that there was a problem but said that there was nothing he could do about it which I find quite incredible. There are problems with this issue throughout the country and if Minister Halligan cannot sort out the problem then he should not be in his position”
In the programme for government discussions it was agreed that a review of the rules governing school bus transport would take place. We have had problems with the holders of concessionary school bus tickets in recent years and it is my strong belief that no children should be left on the road. If the bus is not big enough to bring them then we will have to get bigger buses and more capacity. It makes no economic sense at all to be leaving children who are paying for their tickets on the side of the road. Minister Halligan must address this problem now and not be throwing his hands in the air and claiming that there is nothing he can do about it. He made a promise in May that this situation would not arise and now it’s up to him to act to solve this problem immediately or else he should step aside and let someone else do it.