Parents take bus protest to the minister
The campaign for an extra school bus for students attending Salesian College, Pallaskenry, will move to Dooradoyle tomorrow evening following a lunchtime protest during Fianna Fáil ceremonies in Ennis, Co Clare, marking the 30th anniversary of party founder Eamon de Valera’s death.
On Monday, a spokesperson for the parents said they would also highlight their grievances by travelling by bus to Co Cavan where ministers are due to attend a major childcare conference.
The parents’ protest is over the Department of Education’s failure to provide a second bus for the 51 children attending the secondary school from outside the official catchment area.
Most of the pupils affected are enrolled as concessionary pupils at Pallaskenry after they failed to secure a place at Limerick city schools due to lack of places.
“We want access to a school - and one 52-seater bus is all we require,” said Mary Corby, who took part with other parents and supporters in a 50-car, go-slow convoy from Mungret to Pallaskenry this week.
“We’re willing to pay; we don’t want it for free,” said Ms Corby, whose son Damien, 13, is among the 34 first-years to start at the Salesian secondary school last Tuesday. “We just can’t afford to go down the private bus route, at €25 per child per week. For a family with two children, that’s €50.”
