Minister Hackett seeks solutions to local school bus capacity issue

Following news that 30 Offaly children are without school bus places, Minister Pippa Hackett is exploring solutions with Bus Eireann and the Department of Education.

Parents from areas including Birr, Kilcormac, Ballinabrackey and Killyon have been in contact with the Minister's office in relation to difficulties with securing school transport, along with three school Principals.

“This creates a huge logistical challenge for parents,” says Minister Hackett. “We must also consider the environmental effects of all these extra cars on our roads.”

With school transport operating at 50% capacity, Minister Hackett has spoken to Education Minister Norma Foley urging a return to full capacity as soon as possible. Public transport returns to full capacity today.

The Minister said she has written to Bus Éireann and is exploring the possibility of having additional buses added to the affected routes. Her office has also bee in contact with "every secondary school in Laois and Offaly" in an effort to ascertain the extent of the problem locally.

Under the School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from, and are attending, their nearest education centre. Children who are not eligible may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis.

However, the requirement to operate at 50% capacity has limited the number of concessionary places available.

One parent, who had paid the full amount for two tickets in July, told Minister Hackett’s office that in four years, they never had an issue with places on the bus, and they were accommodated on an extra bus last year. However, late last week they found out that their children would not receive a place this year.

“The parents have been very proactive about finding a solution and some have contacted a private bus company who are willing to offer a service from Cloneygowan to Tullamore,” says Minister Hackett.

“However, this would cost €35 per child per week, which is well over the cost of the Bus Eireann ticket. We have to do something to assist these parents in getting their children to school.”