21. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth in light of the cost-of-living crisis and cost-of-doing-business crisis, if she will reverse the reintroduction of leaving certificate and junior certificate fees, and increases in school transport fees; and if she will engage with school transport operators to ensure that they are adequately supported with the increased cost of fuel. [29045/26]

Sentiment score: -0.07

We cannot separate these increases in cost. To that repeated line about the review of school transport fees, there are already fees. It is not the case that there were not fees. The issue is that they are being increased significantly, by up to 100% in some cases. The Minister might say they are modest increases or a reintroduction of leaving certificate and junior certificate fees that were there before, but she cannot strip this away from the cost-of-living crisis. Parents are dealing with uniforms, transition year fees, voluntary contributions and digital devices. It is a major burden on families at a time when they need relief rather than additional costs being heaped on them. Will the Minister review and reverse these decisions?

Sentiment score: -0.06

I think I speak on behalf of every TD in the Chamber in saying that come the middle of August, we will be in contact with the Department about children who have not got access to the school transport system. The Minister can take that as read - unfortunately. I want to ask the Minister about a related point. My contention is that all of this happens in the same households on which there are demands to provide for the cost of sending children to school. On the one hand, I welcome the free books scheme. The Government is happy to remind people of that. On the other hand, a significant number of schools are demanding digital devices for every child, at a cost of hundreds of euro each. We saw media reports in recent days and weeks about Sweden and other places that are stepping away from this type of technology. Is this something the Minister is looking at? Is she concerned about the direction of travel in schools in Ireland, in particular the costs for parents?

Sentiment score: 0.17