There is worrying lack of awareness amongst the parents of school-going children about what is supposed to be, a major public consultation process currently underway which will have serious implications on determining the future operation of the school transport scheme.

There is worrying lack of awareness amongst the parents of school-going children about what is supposed to be, a major public consultation process currently underway which will have serious implications on determining the future operation of the school transport scheme.

Parents are already up in arms over a 50 per cent increase in the cost of school transport fees for post-primary pupils, which has jumped from €150 to €300 per child.

This consultation is an opportunity for parents in particular to have a say on the future of the school transport system and in particular the costs. There are some 140,000 pupils availing of the school transport service. However, I fear that most people don't even know about this public consultation, which is a first step by this government on tackling the costs associated with this area in a bid to slash the bill for school transport.

I understand there are 9,000 special needs students who avail of free transport every day. This value-for-money review will look closely at the cost of bringing them to school as about 27 per cent of the total €196m budget for school transport goes on this group. It will also look at the potential for introducing a means-tested system.

The Department of Education has failed to adequately promote this consultation which in fact closes to submissions next Friday, 27 March. I fear this lack of awareness amongst the public will result in future decisions being made that will not reflect a cross section of society; see school transport costs soar further and lead potentially to an overhaul of the service as it is offered to those with special needs.