“I have called again on the Minister for Education and Skills to ensure that there is adequate school bus places provided for students for the coming school year.

I have had a large number of representations from parents of students who had transport in the past school year but who are now being told by Bus Éireann that no places are available for this year.  In some instances some students going into Junior Cert Year and who have had transport up to now are being told that they are not eligible for this facility for this coming school year.

Students and younger siblings and families with children starting second level this year must not be denied the opportunity of such essential transport services.

The Minister for Education and Skills has spoken about the difficulties and the problems he has with the Department of Public Expenditure but what parents need to hear from the Minister is that he will ensure that Bus Éireann are given the necessary financial resources to provide adequate school bus places.  The Minister has already stated that a very small increase in expenditure on this scheme, which is apparently available within his own Department, would deal with all these issues which are a source of serious concern for many families and schools.

Now is the time to give Bus Éireann the necessary resources, have the necessary additional bus places provided and ensure that families do not have this additional concern about transport to school”, stated Brendan Smith TD