'Breakthrough' announced for Laois schoolbus shortage
A "breakthrough" has been announced in the crisis over school bus places in Laois.
A group of Laois parents who met and campaigned to get their children seats on the bus to Mountmellick Community School this autumn, have announced their success.
Paula Crowley is a representative of the parents group from Emo and The Rock, some three to 10km from the secondary school.
"An additional school bus will be on the road from this Monday, 18 September. This breakthrough emerged on Thursday evening last.
"Parents are absolutely delighted and very relieved, after a tough five week campaign. Official news of a resolution from Bus Eireann's Athlone office was gratefully received.
"An extra 14-seater bus has been sanctioned by the Department of Education and all 7 pupils are being issued with bus tickets. This school bus will make such an immediate, positive difference to the quality of these families lives and it's a win for the environment also," she said.
The group have thanked everyone who backed their efforts.
"Sincere gratitude and massive appreciation to all involved. Special thanks to Seán Fleming TD and Cllr Paschal McEvoy for their absolutely brilliant work and support. Thanks also to Deputies Brian Stanley, Charlie Flanagan and Carol Nolan for their valued support.
"Sincere thanks to the local press and radio, School Principals in local schools and also to Senior Management in Bus Eireann Athlone - they work incredibly hard behind the scenes and thank you for their help in resolving this issue," Ms Crowley said.
The group want long term security, having had to also campaign just a year ago to get a bus service reinstated.
"What’s important now is that the Minister Foley and the Government ensures that the outstanding review of the school transport scheme is published as soon as possible and that the current system is overhauled. We cannot keep having repeats of School Transport chaos in Laois and right across the country, year after year.”