Donnelly raises concern at lack of school bus places for students

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin West Paul Donnelly has raised the lack of school bus places for children as schools return from the summer holidays.

Donnelly said “my constituency office has received many emails from worried families who are relying upon a service and now find themselves unable to get their children to school.”

“Yet again families are facing school transport chaos because the government has failed to plan. Hundreds of school children are due to be back in the classroom in a matter of days, but their parents have been told their child no longer has a place on the school bus despite paying for it earlier this year,” he said.

“In some cases, transport providers have cited a lack of drivers is creating problems providing the service, it was also brought to my attention that drivers from certain countries who are willing to work are being precluded from driving due to the fact that their licence is recognised by the NDLS, but not the RSA.”

Donnelly said he would discuss the issue with the Minister for Transport.

“Parents from across my constituency of Dublin West are getting notified that they have failed to secure a seat for their child on the local school bus just days before schools are due to reopen, this causes huge problems for parents who are trying to juggle their work commitments with the school run.”

“I urge the Minister for Transport to publish the review which began in February 2021, this review is integral in establishing a viable future for the school transport system and these delays have fuelled the chaos and uncertainty families are now experiencing.

“Families in Dublin West deserve better than this chaos and confusion which happens every year and is totally avoidable. Government must publish the transport review and ensure families get the certainty they need,” he stated.