Wicklow_Times_26_09_ 23.pdf

The school transport crisis in County Wicklow continues, with hundreds of children left without transport since the start of the school term, making it one of the three worst-affected counties along with Clare and Limerick. Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for an immediate response from the Minister, citing the need for reform of the school transport system, which has been an annual and predictable problem. Many children have been left stranded, and parents have had to make alternative arrangements, with some even considering moving their child to a different town or handing in their notice from work. The issue has also raised concerns about the reliability of the system and the provision of a special interim daily grant of €5, which is often insufficient to cover the cost of transport. Deputy Whitmore has been speaking with principals and parents, and has written to the Minister twice, emphasizing the need for a reliable and efficient school transport system.