Parents of school children from Vicarstown and Emo, who have been denied places on school buses for September, have vented their frustration at being left in limbo just weeks before school returns.
Several people have outlined their frustration at the school transport system which tells applicants that they should send their children to schools in Athy or Monasterevin, despite the fact that the schools the children are coming from are not feeder schools for the schools in question.
For example, parents from Vicarstown have been told to send their children to Athy, but there are no places for them there, as those schools are already over-subscribed.
“The stress is horrendous,” said Shirley Crean.
“This is an ongoing thing. My daughter is going into 4th year and every year, just before they return to school we are left sweating,” she said.
Many parents have even given up applying for a place on the Bus Eireann school bus, because “they just can’t face it anymore,” she said.
Like several other parents, she believes a 52-seater bus would solve the problem for parents on what is known as the Moyanna route.
Shirley said her children went to St Coleman’s NS in Stradbally, which is a feeder school to secondary schools in Portlaoise.
They have letters of support, outlining their case from a number of secondary school principals in Portlaoise.
However, so far their contact with the department in charge of school transport has not resulted in any solution.
“A new secondary school is also opening in Portlaoise (Dunamase College), and I’m sure they will be crying out for new pupils,” she said.
Correspondence has been sent to local TDs, as well as Minister John Halligan, who has responsibility for school transport.
A public meeting was held recently which was attended by Cllrs Paschal McEvoy and Tom Mulhall.
Following that meeting, a deputation is being sought with Minister Halligan to plead their case.
Very difficult for working parents trying to deal with this bullshit annually. On the surface looks like typical Irish bureaucracy.
— Kevin Miller (@Moyannagael) 18 August 2017
Just over thirty families have received places on a school bus with another 15 families left in limbo.
A larger bus on the route would solve the problem, according to parents.
Solution
Cyril Darcy agrees that there is a very simple solution. “All they have to do is put on a bigger bus,” he said.
His daughter is going into second year in Scoil Chríost Rí and they will not be able to provide transport for her, as he travels to work early in the morning, and his wife also works.
“We have been told that our children should be going to a school in Athy, but they are not accepting kids from Vicarstown. We don’t even have that opportunity,” he said.
Another concerned parent outlined his frustration. “I am a parent of two children that have been refused school transport along with quite a few more in Vicarstown. Children have been discriminated against because of our rural location,” he said.
He said previously as 52-seater bus served the area, and if this was reinstated then the problem would be solved.
All families who have not secured school bus places paid for those seats several months ago, only to be told weeks before the return of school that places are not available.
SEE ALSO – Bob Flavin: Underdressed but I enjoyed my time in the Beetle
