School transport system in Ireland 'outdated and not fit for purpose,' says Tipperary TD

The school transport system in Ireland is outdated and not fit for purpose, according to Deputy Michael Lowry.

The Tipperary North TD says that he has received numerous calls from his constituents regarding the matter, stating that many parents are feeling anxious and stressed over school catchment areas, and the transport issues that arise as a result.

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In a statement issued this week, Deputy Lowry said: “Many parents across the country are struggling with the current school transport system. This is particularly acute in rural communities.

“I have been inundated with irate and anxious parents, especially from one area of my constituency which is North Kilkenny.

“A multitude of problems arose within Johnstown, Galmoy, Freshford and Tullaroan. The issue arises where families live on the border or are close to the boundaries of school catchment areas. Some of these children wish to attend schools in Kilkenny and Thurles but are disqualified because of catchment area regulations.

“Failures, inconsistencies, and anomalies cause parents and students distress, aggravation, inconvenience, and financial burden. A child may get a place in one school, but the bus serving that area may not align with the catchment, leaving parents with no viable transport option.

“On a regular basis, we have parents denied the opportunity to select their preferred school. St Joseph’s College, Borrisoleigh is a typical example of a progressive school which is losing students seeking to enrol. The school is at a disadvantage because of the existing configuration of school transport.

“The current system is outdated, unmanageable and not fit for purpose.

“Families are often caught between two schools and two different bus routes, and yet neither may work for them under the current regulations. This creates a huge dilemma for parents who want their children to attend a preferred school but find the transport rules and catchments do not allow them freedom of choice.

“The added complexity of vehicle size and smaller rural roads are factors for Bus Éireann that are difficult to overcome.

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“The situation is made worse by the reliance on the concessionary tickets system.

“Parents often don’t find out until very close to the start of the school year whether their child has secured a seat.

“When they are not successful, it leaves them scrambling at the last minute with no transport options. This is simply not sustainable and must change.

“Bus Éireann must be commended for working hard to ensure, where possible, every child is accommodated. However, they are working with restricted guidelines and limited resources within the network.

“The nonsense must stop whereby we do not allow over 70’s to continue to drive school bus routes. We are fast approaching the stage where children will not be collected for school because of a lack of drivers.

“Minister it should be noted that bus operators rely on international recruitment to keep their fleet on the road.

“The current Work Permits system is too rigid and needs to be flexible to respond to demand.

“Minister when will the commitment to the programme for Government commence to review school transport. This review should look at integrating with Local Link services, which already operate in many areas to create more flexible solutions for families.

“The review should also consider moving the allocation of bus tickets to an earlier point in the year, closer to the time of school enrolment, so that both Bus Éireann and parents have more certainty and more time to plan ahead.

“The issue of school transport is a reoccurring issue that must be dealt with in a expeditious and fair manner, I hope that the review will be conducted in a timely manner and make recommendations to make the system fair, equal and more accessible,” Deputy Lowry concluded.