Calls were made for the Minister for Education and Bus Eireann to adequately deal with the school transport issue once and for all at this week’s meeting of Cavan County Council.
The matter was discussed on the back of a notice of motion by Cathaoirleach, Cllr John Paul Feely who highlighted that "urgent action" was required to ensure that everyone who needed a seat on the school bus was accommodated.
He highlighted how the current difficulties were obvious for some time given that transport fees were removed and measures taken to accommodate school transport for refugees living in the county.
Cllr Feeley said there were a number of transport providers in the county that were prepared to bring children to school but none of them had been approached by either the Department of Education or Bus Eireann.
He added that parents and children were now having to make alternative arrangements and he was aware of a number of incidents where children in one house had secured seats on the bus while kids in the neighbouring house hadn’t.
Meanwhile, Cllr Brendan Fay said he knew of several children who were being dropped off to school early by working parents.
He added how the children were "hanging around" waiting for the school to open and this raised health and safety concerns.
Cllr Clifford Kelly then told the meeting that the lack of school bus seats in Cavan was "nothing new".
He added that a definitive solution was now needed particularly in light of the fact that children were being dropped off "very early" to school by working parents who had been left with no other option.
Cllr Paddy McDonald told those gathered that parents were "at their wits end".
He said many were now car pooling to get kids to school.
"But that is causing chaos at the school gates because of all the cars," he added.
