A woman, whose 10-year-old daughter with special needs was initially denied a school bus place, says it is unfair to have to fight for everything.
Siobhán's daughter, Charlotte, is attending a special needs school for the first time and had been attending mainstream school up to now.
The bus place was applied for through the school back in March, with confirmation that she was eligible for a place.
However an e-mail at the end of last week changed things, after she was told there was no place for her.
Siobhán told Lunchtime Live things took another turn on Thursday evening, following her appearance on the show.
"I do have good news - I'm delighted to tell you I got a phone call from the bus driver, who would be driving Charlotte to school, yesterday at 5pm.
"And he informed me that Charlotte would be picked up this morning - and she was picked up this morning and she was a very happy child.
"People do not understand the frustrations, the way you're treated - you're just dismissed when you have a child with special needs.
"Routine is so important, you can't tell your child one thing and then something else happens.
"It's very, very difficult; you're fighting all the time - you shouldn't have to fight for something that your child is entitled for and that you are told by an organisation like Bus Éireann that your child has a place on a bus and then suddenly it's whipped away from you."
Siobhán says she is grateful for the bus place, but can't understand where it came from.
"The bus driver said his superiors got on to him from Bus Éireann and told him that he's to be at the door to pick up my child.
"How does this happen? How can you just magic out a seat for a child on a bus when it wasn't there for the rest of the week?"
"Oh it's fantastic for me, but I feel so guilty... for all the other parents that are left there and they have to travel these long distances - and the stress in taking time off work and juggling other children.
"It's totally wrong but yet again children with special needs are let down, kicked to the curb and that's the way it's always been - it's wrong".
'I've e-mailed numerous TDs'
On Thursday, Siobhán said she was unable to get a reason as to why there was no place available.
"I've tried to get through to Dublin Bus, I've got no answer - I'm passed from one person to another and nobody's picking up.
"I've e-mailed numerous TDs and they haven't got back to me.
"I really don't know why there's no place on the bus - lists of children with special needs are sent into Dublin Bus well in advance.
"And I don't know why it hasn't been organised at this stage".
And she said not bringing Charlotte to school was simply not an option.
"I can't deny my child a chance of an education, I have to keep going.
"As a special needs parent, and many of them out there listening will understand, you have to fight for everything".
