SCHOOL BUS WORRIES PERSIST IN KILDORRERY
Parents in Kildorrery have yet to hear from Bus Eireann in relation to the Primary School Transport Scheme, which could see two buses removed from the local school’s daily route.
In a packed meeting at Kildorrery National School back in March the parents brought their concerns to local TDs, Minster Sean Sherlock and Deputy Tom Barry who promised to highlight the effects such a move by Bus Eireann would have on the community surrounding Kildorrery.
“This was a budget decision made by the last government and tonight I now have a true picture of the hardships these new changes will cause parents if they are implemented. I will go back to the Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn and bring this matter to his attention,” Minister Sean Sherlock said that evening in Kildorrery.
COMMITMENT MUST BE UPHELD
Deputy Tom Barry added, “The commitment entered into by the Department of Education and the parents must be upheld … this is totally unacceptable. Minister Sherlock is quite right and we will build a water tight argument to present to the Minister for Education.”
However, the parents claim that they have since not heard from either Minister Sherlock or Deputy Barry and are worried that these two very necessary buses will be removed when the new school year gets under way. Deputy Tom Barry told The Avondhu that he has held meetings with parents in his office and had consultations in Dublin in relation to this issue.
“I have tabled a number of questions in the Dail for next Wednesday afternoon relating to the issue, also.
QUESTIONS FOR MINISTER
These are the questions that Ruairi Quinn will be asked: ‘To ask the minister if the Closed School Rule as applied under the School Transport Scheme was, and is, a legally binding contract between the schools and the department?
"If an evaluation study has been carried out to ascertain if School Transport can be provided more efficiently? What schools were involved in the Value for Money Review of the scheme and if any of those schools were Closed Schools? If the minister would consider using the model already in use by Tesco to appoint one transport company to cover the entire school transport contract?’
"I believe that, before any significant changes to the scheme are finalised, we need pertinent, sensible analysis of the alternatives. I am attaching two letters sent to Minister Ciaran Cannon outlining my detailed proposals.”
SHERLOCK CONFIDENT
Minister Sean Sherlock is confident that the Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn will meet with the parents from Kildorrery, “There is a review taking place and I have met with officials from the Department of Education.
"I am reliably informed that the department is not in receipt of the numbers of children requiring a bus service in Kildorrery. We should allow for the full process to take place and I am confident that the Minister for Education will met with a delegation of parents from Kildorrery.
"However, I will continue to act to ensure that a bus service is provided for the autumn in Kildorrery,” Minister Sherlock said.
Published:
Friday 10th June 7:04pm
