Parents from Vicarstown and Emo who don’t have school bus transport are to meet with Minister John Halligan next week.
Laois TD and Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD has confirmed that Minister of State for Training and Skills, John Halligan TD will meet with the concerned parents in Dublin next Wednesday.
They will discuss the need for a larger bus to serve the area so that local children can attend secondary schools in Portlaoise.
A number of children who were previously in receipt of concessionary tickets on this route, are currently without transport for the coming school term due to a shortage of spaces on the 32 seater bus.
Minister Flanagan has in recent days been in contact with Minister Halligan regarding the issues in Vicarstown/Emo and Minister Halligan has agreed to meet concerned parents from the area in this regard.
‘’I have made strong representations to Minister John Halligan on the urgent need for a larger school bus to serve the Vicarstown/Emo route so that all children on concessionary tickets can be accommodated for the coming year and I will continue to pursue matters in this regard with the Minister at the meeting next week,’’ Minister Flanagan said.
The meeting is due to take place next Wednesday, August 30th in Leinster House.
Shortage
Parents held a meeting in Crean’s Pub last night to discuss the school bus place shortage which is affecting close to fifteen families.
This meeting was attended by Deputies Sean Fleming and Brian Stanley and councillors Paschal McEvoy and Tom Mulhall.
Minister Charlie Flanagan was unable to attend but had a representative at the meeting.
Currently a 32-seater school bus serves the area, but parents want a 52-seater one provided which would solve the crisis.
A 52-seater bus was previously provided in the area. Many of the parents living in the area have been told that their nearest schools are in Monasterevin and Athy, rather than Portlaoise.
However, these secondary schools are already oversubscribed and no places are available for the children.
