Kilkenny parents and students urged to have their say on school bus service
Parents, guardians and students in Kilkenny are being urged to have their say on school transport and help ensure the service meets the country’s current and future needs.
The call from Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan comes as Education Minister Norma Foley opened a consultation process with stakeholders as part of the review of the school transport scheme.
Families with children in schools in Ballyhale, New Ross and Paulstown have been particularly impacted in recent years and Deputy Phelan encouraged them to play their part in the review.
“The review currently being conducted by the Department of Education encompasses the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs and the primary and post-primary school transport schemes,” the local Fine Gael TD said.
“The review will examine the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, with a view to ensuring that it serves students and their families appropriately. Other issues under consideration include the efficiency of the service and to also examine potential scope for a more co-ordinated approach with other Government departments involved in transport services. Parents, guardians and pupils should make their voices heard and submit their views now so we have a better service for all.”
Speaking about the review, Minister Foley said: “As part of the review of school transport, we will be listening to the views of parents and guardians, students, the education partners and other relevant stakeholders. We will use surveys, focus groups and meetings, as well as inviting written submissions.
“We are inviting these stakeholders to share their views and opinions so that we may consider them in our assessment and in informing policy on the future operation of the scheme.”
Parents and guardians are invited to complete a survey, which is accessible via the attached link https://dessurveys.education.gov.ie/surveys/Parent-and-Guardian-School-Transport-Survey and on gov.ie at gov.ie/schooltransportreview.
Post-primary students are also invited to complete a survey which is accessible via the attached link https://dessurveys.education.gov.ie/surveys/Post-Primary-Pupils-School-Transport-Survey and on gov.ie at gov.ie/schooltransportreview.
The closing date for completing these surveys is Thursday 10th February.
