Cork councillor wants access to school buses for all children

A Cork county councillor is calling on education minister Helen McEntee to radically reform the school transport system, so that by 2026, all children are eligible for school transport.

Raising the issue at the September council meeting, Ann Bambury of the Social Democrats said that universal access to school transport will ensure equity in education, reduce car dependency, cut emissions, and support Ireland in reaching its climate targets.

She also feels this reform must be prioritised and should form part of the next national budget.

“When you have lived experience as a parent, you understand how problematic the whole system is,” Ms Bambury told The Echo.

“I think that the system needs to be completely overhauled. I think that every child should be entitled to a space travelling to school when it comes to accessing their education.

“As a public rep, I have had parents both last year and this year before the school term contacting me, extremely frustrated and highlighting the inefficiencies they have experienced and the lack of communication.

“What I was highlighting at the council meeting, and it did receive unanimous support in the chamber, was universal access would help combat rural isolation. It would ensure children living in remote areas can access their nearest or current school without hardship, and that it is very important.

“It is hugely problematic, and you are trying to organise yourself around the hope of having a bus to transport your children to school.

“For most parents, it is a stressful situation to be in, because between trying to organise childcare and all of that — it does revolve around how your child gets to and from school.”

Bus Éireann operates the school transport service on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth, which funds the scheme.

To qualify for the primary school transport scheme currently, a child must be enrolled in their nearest primary school or live 3.2km or more from their nearest suitable national school.

The department determines what the nearest suitable school is, considering the school’s ethos and language. 

Bus Éireann decides if your child qualifies by checking the distance from the nearest school to your child’s home.