I have received many representations from concerned parents that their children are not getting school bus tickets this year despite the fact that they got them in previous years.

“The Government announced free transport to school for eligible children, but this is having a negative effect on students who have previously got tickets on a discretionary basis.

Whilst the announcement was positive there are unintended negative consequences for many families.

I am requesting the Department of Education to immediately put more buses in place to deal with the increased demand and ensure that the status for existing discretionary tickets holders is maintained and that any new students who require a discretionary ticket are facilitated.

The extent of stress this mess created by the Department is enormous and it needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency as children return to school at the end of this month”.