School transport system 'outdated and not fit for purpose' - Lowry

'Parents across the country are struggling with the current school transport system. This is particularly acute in rural communities’ Deputy Michael Lowry told the Dáil on Tuesday.

‘I have been inundated with calls and messages from irate and anxious parents, particularly from the North-West Kilkenny area’ he said.

‘A multitude of problems arose with Johnstown, Galmoy, Freshford and Tullaroan areas’ he said, adding that the issue arises where families live on or close to the boundaries of school catchment areas.

‘Some of these children wish to attend schools in Kilkenny and Thurles, but are disqualified because of catchment area regulations. Failures, inconsistencies, and anomalies cause parents and students distress, aggravation, inconvenience, and in many cases, financial burden’ outlined Deputy Lowry.

‘A child may get a place in one school, but the bus serving that area may not align with the catchment area, leaving parents with no viable transport option. On a regular basis we have parents and children denied the opportunity to select their preferred school.

‘St. Joseph’s College in Borrisoleigh is a typical example of a progressive school that is losing students who are seeking to enrol. The school is at a disadvantage because of the existing configuration of school transport.

‘The current system is outdated, unmanageable and not fit for purpose.

‘Families are often caught between two schools and two different bus routes, and yet neither may work for them under the current regulations. This creates a huge dilemma for parents who want their children to attend a preferred school, but find the transport rules and catchments do not allow them that freedom of choice.

‘The situation is made worse by the reliance on the concessionary ticket system. Parents often don’t find out until very close to the start of the school year whether their child has secured a seat. When they are unsuccessful, it leaves them scrambling at the last minute with no transport options.

‘Also, Minister, I would ask that you play a role in ensuring that the over-70s are allowed to continue to drive on School Bus routes. It is absolute nonsense to disqualify people because they reach the age of 70.

‘Also, the current Work Permit system is too rigid and is not flexible enough to allow for International recruitment.

‘Minister, when will the commitment in the Programme for Government commence the Review of School Transport arrangements? This Review should look at integrating with Local Link services, which already operate in many areas, to create more flexible solutions for families.

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‘The Review should also consider moving the allocation of bus tickets to an earlier point in the year, closer to the time of school enrolment, so that both Bus Éireann and parents have more certainty and more time to plan ahead.

‘The issue of School Transport is a recurring one that must be dealt with expeditiously and fairly. I hope that the Review will be conducted in a timely manner and make recommendations to make the system fair, equal and more accessible’ he concluded.