Quarter of appeals over school bus places lodged by Cork families

According to Seán Sherlock, Bus Éireann has told affected parents it is precluded from increasing bus sizes or adding extra buses for concessionary pupils

Clonakilty Secondary School pupils in Kilmeen, many of whom don't have bus tickets for school transport.

More than a quarter of the appeals lodged so far this year over access to school bus places have been made by families in Cork.

As access to transport remains an issue in certain areas again this school year, almost 710 appeals had been lodged by families across the country by the beginning of this week.

Those left without a place, or who are unhappy with the decision they received in relation to grants, have the right to lodge an appeal.

Of these, 180 came from families in Cork. 

The figures were released by the Department of Education to Cork East TD Seán Sherlock via a parliamentary question.

“The system is completely out of touch with the needs of working parents across the State and especially in Cork,” Mr Sherlock said.

“The minister has broken her own policy by approving buses in certain areas and not in others.

“Parents contacting me are either being told they do not have a seat or they are still in limbo.”

According to Mr Sherlock, Bus Éireann has told affected parents it is precluded from increasing bus sizes or adding extra buses for concessionary pupils under the scheme set down by the Department of Education.

The responses to numerous parliamentary questions, asked on behalf of parents, show there is no desire for school transport reform, Mr Sherlock added.

“Parents should not accept that. Parents must see action from government representatives at a local and national level.

“If you want a seat, and you pay for a seat, you should get a seat.”

Mr Sherlock said Education Minister Norma Foley needs to take radical action and remove the distance criteria as a first step and allow a school bus place for all who wish to avail of one.

The fact remains that the scheme is not fit for purpose and out of step with the reality of life in rural Ireland.

In her response to the parliamentary question, Ms Foley said that more than 132,000 tickets have been issued for the current school year.

This is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year.

“This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.”

More than 149,000 children, including 18,000 children with special educational needs, availed of school transport during 2022/2023.

More than 149,000 children, including 18,000 children with special educational needs, availed of school transport during 2022/2023.

According to the minister, this was an increase of 21% in tickets to eligible students and an increase of 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis when compared to the 2021/22 school year.

Primary school children who live more than 3.2km, and post-primary school children who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school are eligible for school transport.

Children who are not eligible for school transport but who apply on a concessionary basis may also get a seat, provided there is spare capacity on the service.