Louth's Fitzpatrick calls for overhaul of School Transport Scheme

Louth Independent TD, Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick, alongside the Regional Group of TDs, yesterday published their motion imploring the Government to address the "mounting problems disrupting the school transport scheme".

“This Dáil motion highlights the critical role of the school transport scheme in the lives of families and children and calls for immediate and comprehensive reform”, commented Deputy Fitzpatrick.

“The school transport scheme is recognised as an indispensable service for families and children across the country and it is crucial in ensuring access to school for more than 149,000 children, including more than 18,000 children with special educational needs”.

Deputy Fitzpatrick highlighted the lack of access to public transport in rural areas and, therefore, the need for a fit-for-purpose school transport scheme for all students requiring transport to their nearest school, irrespective of distance.

The Regional Group of TDs also identify the "inadequacy of the current scheme to meet these objectives". “There is a vital need to reduce car journeys for environmental reasons and promote bus travel for school commutes. Still, there are continuing disruptions due to the non-availability of buses and poor compensation to private operators”, states Deputy Fitzpatrick.

The Louth TD also stresses the additional challenges posed, such as an arbitrary age cap which, he says, is hampering part-time drivers from participating; as well as discrepancies in the allocation of concessionary tickets despite available seats, inadequate support for special needs children and late notifications that leave families to re-organise work at short notice.

The Regional Group of TDs say they are calling upon the Government to take immediate action by:

• Ensuring that families issued with concessionary tickets in the past continue to benefit from the service.
• Fulfilling previous commitments regarding the provision of school transport services in the event of school closures.
• Allocating adequate funding in the 2024 Budget to significantly expand school transport services, thereby reducing the reliance on private car journeys.
• Releasing the school transport scheme review without delay.
• Ensuring that the school transport scheme is reformed to serve the needs of students and their families adequately. 

The Group says that in their motion, they note that the Government needs to address these urgent matters and ensure the school transport scheme remains a dependable and eco-friendly means of transportation for all students.