School transport fails another year of schoolchildren & families – Sherlock

Cork East TD Seán Sherlock has criticised the do-nothing attitude of the Government on school transport as parents face into an other summer of uncertainty on school bus places around Cobh.

“Parents once more will have to wait until the last minute to find out if they are successful for the so-called concessionary seats on their local school bus route,” said Deputy Sherlock.

“The problem here is that these parents have already paid. The department now know the numbers that need transport. Yet they persevere with rigid contracts on bus sizes, rather than allowing a more flexible system emerge. It is not good enough for the Independent Alliance through Ministers Halligan and Ross – both of whom have transport portfolios – to say that parents know the risks associated with applying for a concessionary seat. The Department must ensure that parents and schoolchildren have certainty well before the first day of school. If this Government is to have any positive impact in this area, it must work with parents and schools to ensure there is an adequate school transport programme that caters to all needs.”