Parents 'embarrassed' into paying rural Laois schoolbus fees
Parents of children in rural Laois schools are being "embarrassed" into paying fees for buses to activities that they cannot afford, a local councillor claims.
Children going to rural primary schools are disadvantaged because they have to pay travel fees not experienced by families using town schools.
So says Laois Cllr PJ Kelly, who is asking the Department of Education to supplement the rural transport costs to activities like swimming, sports matches and field trips.
"It is an additional cost to school for all this extra activity. For towns it's not as much. It's actually free for students in towns to visit some sites because they can walk.
"In rural schools parents are stretched to their limit to provide payments. In some cases parents are embarrassed into giving money that they can't afford," he claimed.
Cllr Marie Tuohy seconded his motion.
"I agree. It's an extra strain especially when you're starting off. Normally it's at the beginning of the year that parents have to pay these big amounts. It would be great even if there was an annual grant," she said.
Cllr Kellys' motion is for Laois County Council to contact the Department of Education and Minister Norma Foley.
"To make funds available to help supplement the high costs rural primary schools face in trying to provide transport to offsite activites such as swimming lessons, Cumann na mBunscoil matches, education field trips."
It was tabled to the May meeting of Laois County Council, with a letter then sent.