O’Sullivan calls for clarity on the lack of school transport places

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central, Padraig O’Sullivan has written to the Education Minister to seek clarity on the lack of school transport places for the coming year following reports in Cork North Central from concerned parents. 

Deputy O’Sullivan has been contacted by several parents in the Watergrasshill and Glenville areas regarding the lack of school transport places. 

“I have written to the Education Minister Norma Foley to seek clarity areas regarding the lack of school transport places. There are approximately 30 students that have been left without school transport for the coming year and an alternative solution needs to be found before the school year begins. 

“This issue extends to other areas within the Cork North Central constituency such as but not limited to, Whitechurch, Grenagh, and Bottlehill. It is my understanding that there has been no general review of catchment boundaries since the inception of the School Transport Scheme in the 1960s, and I think this needs to be revisited. 

“Parents are trying to prepare for the coming school year in what is an already very uncertain period given the current COVID-19 restrictions. We need for collective efforts to be made when it comes to school transport to ensure that every child has the means to get to school. The school bus is a service which is in every community in Ireland and one which parents rely on,”  

“I would like to commend the Minister and her department for their efforts this far in getting a plan to reopen schools in place but we need further examination of school transport capacity,” concluded Deputy O’Sullivan