Rural schools must not be impacted by school transport cuts - Kenny

The issue of school transport and the nearest school rule was raised in the Dáil yesterday by Deputy Martin Kenny, the Sinn Féin TD for Sligo-Leitirm-West Cavan-South Donegal.

He says that cuts to rural school transport may negatively impact rural schools and cause problems for some families living in rural areas such as west Cavan.

Deputy Kenny has asked the government to review the 'nearest school rule', particularly where it's implementation could force small school closures.

From 2011 onwards, the introduction of the annual charge, the removal of eligibility under the closed school rules for certain children living less than 3.2km from the school, and the minimum of 10 eligible children required to retain a transport service are pushing more and more children into the 'concessionary' category. This means they are not guaranteed a place on the bus but, if one is available, they may pay for it.

In 2011/12, there were 4,854 children in the concessionary transport category but this rose to 18,688 in 2014/15 following the introduction of the new rules.

Outlining the background, Deputy Kenny said: “This goes back to 2010 when a review of value for money brought in new rules and charges for school bus transport, which has moved huge numbers of children into the concessionary category, or denied them a bus ticket completely.  

“All of these rules need to be re-examined, especially the nearest school rule which means children have to attend the nearest school in order to qualify for school transport.  This is very negative for many rural schools and indeed for families in towns where the nearest school may be full and are not accepting students and therefore they are not eligible for bus transport to the next nearest school.'

He's calling for 'common sense' to prevail.

Replying on behalf of the government, Minister Frances Fitzgerald said: “The issues raised regarding the school transport scheme is under review at present.”