Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)

Throughout Kilkenny, there are major ongoing issues with the school transport scheme. In Gowran, the Department advised last year that another school bus be added due to the increase in the population, but still no additional bus service has been allocated. In my own area of Ballyhale, families like my own have been pushed to send children to school outside of their parish, despite the school bus collecting their neighbours. There needs to be a parish rule in order that children can attend the primary school in their local community. Year in, year out we face the same challenges with the school transport scheme. Something is clearly not working. Will the Minister step in to ensure that bus services are in place for the coming school term? It is just mayhem at the school gates.

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