20 Kildare students have no bus to get to school - TD

Labour Party TD Mark Wall has called for school bus service to be provided for 20 pupils from Kildare Town attending Curragh Post Primary School.

Minister for Education Helen McEntee said in the Dáil in the past that Bus Eireann has advised her that the children are not eligible for a school bus service because they don't live in the catchment area of the school.

Mr Wall said: "This is a grossly unfair decision by Bus Eireann. The reason why these students are unable to go to their nearest school is because it is already oversubscribed. A new school was granted for Kildare Town back in 2018, however, the proposed site at Magee Barracks has only recently received planning permission."

The TD said he has been in touch with the Parents Association who believe there is clear demand for a school bus route.

He added: "These families are already struggling with transport costs as it is, and this decision by Bus Eireann will result in them being out of pocket for longer trying to put fuel in their cars getting to the school in the Curragh. These families should not have to suffer because of poor planning by the Department of Education, or for the lack of empathy by Bus Eireann to take into consideration the reality on the ground in local communities."

Mr Wall has also written to Minister of State at the Department of Education Michael Moynihan on the issue.

The TD wrote to Mr Moynihan: "Given the exceptional circumstances, I am asking that you intervene here and overturn Bus Eireann's decision."