School transport providers air concerns as they prepare for reopening of schools
With one of the government’s priorities being the reopening of schools, providers of school transport have an array of concerns. They range from the number of passengers they can carry, the availability of vehicles and the costs incurred in adhering to Covid-19 guidelines and advice. Meanwhile, operators have been facing…
Parents in Sligo forced to carpool because children can’t get on school bus
Some parents in Sligo are being forced to car-pool because their children do not qualify for the school bus. It follows a meeting of parents in Collooney last night where up to 7 families in the area don’t qualify for concessionary tickets for their children to get to Coola Post-Primary…
Minister gives no clear committment on school transport in rural areas
Minister of State John Halligan says he has taken a number of short-term measures to protect the school transport scheme for rural areas. However, the Minister has failed to give any clear committment on the challenges rural communities are facing to retain services in the long-term. The Minister says he…
Department says changes to school transport catchment areas stem from 2011 budget
The Department of Education says changes to catchment areas for school transport are being brought in on a phased basis. They will mean changes to some routes in the coming school year but the Department has confirmed to Ocean FM News that this is in line with variations each year…
Call for review of Remote Area School Transport Grant
A Leitrim councillor is calling on the Department of Education to conduct a review of the Remote Area Grant. The grant provides families in rural areas with financial support for school transport. Councillor Padraig Fallon says the financial costs of bringing children to school is crippling families in remote areas…