Ombudsman wants review of school transport plan

THE right of some children to an education is being hampered by problems with the school transport system, Children’s Ombudsman Emily Logan claimed yesterday.

The Ombudsman has received complaints on behalf of 136 children since the start of last year relating to problems with eligibility for school buses, access for pupils with physical disabilities, difficulties with supervision before schools open and other problems.

The School Transport Scheme, operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education with the aim of bringing 135,000 children to and from school, has a budget of €165 million this year.