Fermoy school brings bus protest to Dáil

A CHURCH of Ireland school community brought their protest over the withdrawal of a school bus to the Dáil, claiming the move threatens parents’ constitutional right to the choice of a denominational education.

An appeal is due to be heard today into the loss of the bus service, which Fermoy Adair National School says is unjustified and should be reversed. It is one of 103 primary schools and 14 second level schools where a bus route was taken away from last month because the school did not have the minimum 10 pupils living at least 3.2 kilometres away.

Part of the criteria in the Department of Education school transport scheme, operated by Bus Éireann, is that those pupils should be living in a distinct locality.