Calls for new bus route for Monkland NS in Carlingford goes to Louth County Council

A motion calling for a feasibility study to be carried out for a dedicated bus service for Monksland NS in Carlingford has gone before Louth County Council. 

The motion was put forward by Fine Gael councillor for Dundalk/Carlingford John Reilly. 

Cllr Reilly said Bus Éireann currently operates several school bus services to Bush Post Primary School, locates approximately 700 metres from Monksland NS, which has 139 students and 11 staff. 

He told the January meeting of Louth County Council that the school has a "distinct issue with parking" and introducing a new school transport route could help reduce congestion and improve safety. 

He said the school doesn't have any additional land to create new parking spaces. 

The Fine Gael councillor said Bus Éireann indicated there is a portal for parents to apply for school transport. This portal is expected to open in early March 2026. 

He said the correspondence he had with Bus Éireann indicated it would look "quite favourably" on the issue. 

Bus Éireann also stated that the School Transport Scheme is determined by the Department of Education, which requires pupils to live at least 3.2 kilometres from their nearest national school.

Read Next: Mother of Louth teen told court of 'cruelty and inhumanity' of his murder 

The motion was supported by Sinn Féin councillor Antóin Watters, however, Cllr Watters noted that there are 11 schools on the peninsula called for Louth County Council to invite Bus Éireann's Regional School Transport Manager to come before the chamber to discuss "school transport as a whole". 

Cllr Reilly acknowledged there are other schools on the peninsula but said Monksland NS could be viewed as a "test case" that could then be rolled out to other places. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.