New school term marred with significant gaps in the School Transport Scheme says Laois TD
Deputy Aird said that he was inundated with calls from parents concerned that services in some areas in the constituency were not in place
GOVERNMENT TD in Laois Willie Aird said the new school term for parents in Laois was marred with significant gaps in the School Transport Scheme.
He said that he had been “inundated with calls from parents concerned that services in some areas in the constituency were not in place despite families meeting eligibility criteria.”
Following on from the concerns the Portlaoise based Fine Gael TD said that he is now asking the Department of Education for a review on the current school transport guidelines and the current allocation of school bus places.
Deputy Aird said: “I acknowledge the scheme, which Bus Eireann runs on behalf of the Department of Education, has been expanded greatly over the past number of years. Latest figures confirm that almost 178,000 students are availing of school transport for the current school term.
“However once again, the start of the new school term was marred with significant gaps in the School Transport Scheme. I was inundated with calls from parents concerned that services in some areas in the constituency were not in place despite families meeting eligibility criteria.
“On the other hand, I had distraught parents who had not received tickets this year despite holding tickets in previous years and parents who are driving behind school buses with empty seats every morning despite being repeatedly told the bus is full and all seats allocated. There is no doubt that school transport is a hugely important service for all busy working families in my constituency.”
He said: “While Minister McEntee has continued to expand the number of students benefitting from the school transport scheme, there are particular issues in some areas of the country, due to the growing populations, and growing demand for school transport services in these areas.”
“Notwithstanding increased capacity in some areas, gaps in the School Transport Scheme remain. It is absolutely essential that the matter of allocated tickets not being availed off and the current retirement age for drivers over 70 years must be addressed as a matter of urgency,” said Deputy Aird.
