Families face huge schoolbus costs rise in September

A call on Meath's Fianna Fail TDs to intervene to stop the Government's proposed increase of up to 78 per cent in school transport charges has been made by Cllr Catherine Yore of Fine Gael. She said the Government is proposing a 78 per cent rise in junior post-primary school transport costs, from €168 last year to €300 this coming September. "Senior post-primary pupils will see a 28 per cent rise in the cost of getting to and from school, while concessionary primary pupils will be hit by a huge 66 per cent rise in costs," said the Carnaross councillor, herself a primary school teacher. "These hikes are outrageous at a time when the Government should be doing its best to encourage access to education for all. Many families already experiencing financial difficulties will now face the extra burden of higher school transport costs this September," she said. She said the massive increases targeted rural families and amounted to the progressive dismantling of the free education principal for rural people. "Deputy Johnny Brady demonstrated both passion and vigor when speaking against the banning on stag hunting in the Dáil, while voting to ban stag hunting," Cllr Yore added. "Now that some children of hard-pressed parents will be practically hunted out of our schools, it would be apt for him to clear his throat, and not only speak against the increases, but to actually vote against the transport increases, along with his party colleague, Minister (Noel) Dempsey." Cllr Yore said one of the reasons Minister Sean Haughey gave for the massive transport hikes was the phasing out of the three for two seating on buses. "Parents are being asked to pay the price to equip each child with a seat and a seat belt. Ensuring children's safety should be a matter for contractors on these routes. Parents should not be penalised by huge price increases because of valid safety concerns," said Cllr Yore. "School transport costs should be frozen to take account of these difficult economic times. If unemployment continues to rise, many families will not be in a position in September to pay the transport costs," she predicted. Cllr Yore said the current maximum family rate for transport is €495. In September, this will rise to €650. "That represents a significant rise for families trying to make ends meet with mortgage costs and already reduced incomes due to tax and levy changes. Minister O'Keeffe must show some compassion and understanding in this matter," said the north Meath FG councillor.