No seat on the schoolbus for students from rural Mayo area

Twenty students have been left without access to the school bus to Crossmolina National School.

The impacted students, who are from the areas of Coolturk, Eskeragh and Dooleague outside Crossmolina have not been eligible for the Bus to School Scheme over the past number of years despite having family links and connections to the school. The scheme recently closed to applications for the next academic year.

Fine Gael Senator Mark Duffy raised the issue in the Seanad last week having met with the affected families. Senator Duffy said he would welcome a discussion with the Minister for Education Helen McEntee on the matter.

“It is very important for all the families in this area at a time when we need to encourage sustainable transport and sustainable travel to school in an area where there is plenty of congestion in the morning,” he said.

Senator Duffy said it is important that families living in rural areas be treated equally to those living closer to towns and villages and called for further supports to be made available for people living in these areas.

“When we are at such high employment with families working, we need to make sure we have fair access for all parents and families and I hope we can deliver for the families in this area,” he said.

“This is my first opportunity to raise this at an Oireachtas level and I would welcome a discussion on the matter," added Senator Duffy.

Seanad leader Senator Sean Kyne acknowledged Senator Duffy’s contribution and suggested he follow up the matter with the Minister and potentially invite her to speak to the Seanad members as there are wider issues with school transport that need to be addressed.

“Senator Duffy can table a Commencement matter with the Minister to get a more immediate response and certainly ask that she come in to talk about issues of school transport anyway," said Senator Kyne. "I know it is an issue that has been raised in the House on many occasions,” he added.