Louth parents left in limbo by school transport chaos
Joanna Byrne TD says families should not have to gamble on whether their children will secure a bus seat
Sinn Féin TD for Louth and East Meath Joanna Byrne is calling on the government to once and for all end the chaos families are facing trying to access school transport places for their children .
Teachta Byrne said;
“ School Transport should not be a lottery . Families in Drogheda and beyond deserve a school transport system that is properly planned, properly resourced and gives parents certainty before the school year begins.
“This government has now presided over two school summer holidays where chaos ensues in August when families are left worrying if their child will have a seat on the bus, whether routes will have enough capacity, or whether they will have to completely rearrange work and family life.
“This isn’t new, and it isn’t necessary . Sinn Féin have brought forward plans plans and proposals to reform the scheme and to end this annual chaos, which the government have chosen to ignore . They are now literally ignoring their own recommendations from the School Transport Review .
“To add insult to injury this year the government have chosen to hike school transport fees for those lucky enough to get a place .
“Sinn Féin have set out practical proposals to end the cycle of annual disruption. My colleague, Sinn Féin Education spokesperson Darren O’Rourke TD, has been leading the call for reform in the Dáil. He has consistently called for an end to the school bus lottery, investment in extra capacity, proper provision for children with additional needs and a system that is planned around the needs of families.
“It simply isn’t good enough to ignore solutions while families pay the price. The government cannot keep pretending this is unexpected when it has become a yearly crisis. I will be working closely with my Sinn Féin colleagues to push the government into ending this chaos before schools return .”