Irish Rural Link (IRL ), the Moate based national network representing the interest of rural communities, have called for the removal of the distance requirement of 3.2km to access the School Transport Scheme.
The latest jump in petrol and diesel prices will significantly hurt parents already grappling with return to school costs, especially parents with no other alternative.
In its Pre-Budget Submission, IRL have called for more investment in rural transport including the removal of the 3.2km distance for the School Transport Scheme. They are not reiterating this call on the back of the increase in excise duty of petrol and diesel from midnight tonight. This increase will impact most on low-income households in rural areas who need a car due to lack of transport and on parents in rural areas who need to drop children to school by car as they are within the 3.2km distance to the school.
Currently, the school transport scheme provides transport for children who live 3.2km or more from their local primary school. However, for children living within this distance they need to find alternative ways to travel to school, in most cases this is by car, given that some may still live a good distance from the school and the dangers associated with rural roads. It also puts extra financial pressure on parents, given the increase in cost of petrol and diesel.
“The cost of motoring for rural households continues to rise. We know that this has the biggest impact on low-income households living in a rural community. The removal of the required 3.2km distance from the school would go some way in reducing costs to parents while also reduce the number of cars on the roads and ensure a safer way for children to travel to school,” CEO of Irish Rural Link, Seamus Boland, stated.
IRL would also see the removal of distance requirement reducing the need of a second car which majority of rural households require because of the lack of public transport.
