Sinn Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has warned that children in Kerry will again be turned away from school transport this year due to a failure by the government to recognise demand and invest in extra capacity.
And the party is calling for 10,000 extra places to be funded and made available to help meet demand across the state.
Teachta Daly said that parents across Kerry are now getting notified that they have failed to secure a seat for their child on the local school bus.
Lack of Transportation
“I have been contacted by a number of parents from The Maharees and West Kerry in particular who have expressed their concerns about the lack of transportation.
“Every year the School Transport Scheme is significantly over-subscribed and instead of harnessing this demand, government continues to do nothing and let the situation repeat itself year after year.
“This causes huge problems for parents in Kerry who are trying to juggle their work commitments and, this year more than most, are worried about spiralling costs as they try to provide for their families.
Capacity Constraints Not Addressed
“While the decision by Government to eliminate school transport fees for the 2022/2023 school year is welcome, it does nothing to address the capacity constraints. More needs to be done if we are to provide school transportation that is fair for all.
“Sinn Féin has called for 10,000 extra seats to be added to the system across the state, in addition to investing in new school buses and eliminating school transport fees. That would make a real difference to the lives of families here in Kerry and ensure these pressures, which are completely avoidable, don’t occur every year.
Traffic Congestion at Schools
“By expanding this scheme, we can cut transport emissions, reduce dangerous traffic congestion outside schools, while providing families with a convenient method of transport for their children.
“Expanding the School Transport Scheme is a win-win for parents and for the environment.
“Many of the parents I have talked to relocated back to Kerry, some from overseas.
“They are now working remotely and wish to be part of the community here and all that offers to them and their families. They are disappointed with the services provided to them.
Bus Places by Lottery
“In one case I am hearing about, a number of bus places are effectively being determined by lottery and the remainder will need to make their own way to school.
“I am calling on the Ministers for Transport and Education to now step in and immediately increase capacity to ensure as many children as possible here in Kerry can be accommodated.
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