Cork families urged to submit school transport applications as deadline approaches

Cork families should submit their school transport payments or medical card detail in advance of the June 6 deadline as late submissions might result in children losing their place on a school bus, Cork East Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor has said.

The Fianna Fáil Transport spokesperson said that parents in areas such as Ladysbridge, Ballymacoda, Killeagh, Mogeely, Castlemartyr and Glenville across east Cork were becoming anxious about securing seats for their children on the school bus for the coming academic year.

Mr O’Connor described the now annual scramble for school transport as “completely unacceptable”.

“I have been in constant with the Department of Education to ensure there are adequate services in place this September,” he said. 

“Every child who needs access to school transport should have it—especially in rural areas where we simply do not have the luxury of public transport infrastructure.

He also renewed his call for temporary pilot schemes, such as the one serving Kilcredan National School, to be made permanent from this September and said the uncertainty facing rural communities each year could be avoided with a stronger long-term commitment from the State.

“A school bus isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline. Parents shouldn’t have to go through a bureaucratic dance every September, pleading for what should be a guaranteed service.

“These schemes must be made permanent to reflect the reality of life in rural Ireland,” he said.