Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education, Sorca Clarke TD, has launched the party’s policy document outlining how to reform the school transport system and end the current chaos families face.

The plan sets out how the party would expand school transport and deliver an additional 100,000 school bus places.

This would benefit students and their parents, as well as reducing traffic congestion.

Speaking today, Teachta Clarke said:

“Today Sinn Féin are launching our plan to reform school transport and ensure that it works for students and their parents. This would involve an investment of more than €250 million.

“Our plan would expand school transport and deliver an additional 100,000 school bus places. It would expand the eligibility criteria for mainstream school transport and build capacity in the school transport system.

“We would provide the investment required to meet the projected increase in demand for SEN transport services, to ensure that the needs of children with disabilities are met.

“Crucially, our plan keeps the current payment rates to ensure affordability for families at a time when money is already stretched for so many.

“Government have overseen a school transport system that is chaotic and not fit for purpose. It does not meet the needs of students and their families.

“This week, schools have already started back and many communities have been left without their school bus service. Some communities have no school transport options at all, meaning students are left entirely in the lurch. This means some families are faced with forking out €50 per student per week for private transport which is totally unaffordable.

“Each year, families face school transport chaos and confusion. Families are at their wits’ end and feel badly let down by government failure to plan and to listen.

“Sinn Féin’s plan sets out how a better, fairer and more sustainable way is possible. I am calling on the government to listen to Sinn Féin’s proposals and to act.”

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Disability, Pauline Tully TD, said:

“All children should be able to travel to school comfortably and safely. No child should feel left behind or treated as an afterthought by government.

“Sinn Féin are committed to providing the investment needed to match the projected demand for Special Educational Needs transport services in government.

“We support the integration of SEN pupils within mainstream transport services where this is appropriate and the preference of pupils’ families.

“Sinn Féin’s plan will ensure families of all pupils can look to the future with certainty and plan ahead.”

Note : Sinn Féin’s policy document Reforming and Expanding Our School Transport System is available to view online here