As the Government begins its assault on the education sector with wide-ranging and damaging cutbacks, Cllr Patsy O’Brien has drawn attention to the issue of school transport, which he believes is a crucial element to the infrastructure of rural counties like our own, and which has now also fallen victim to the Government’s funding woes.
Last November the Government ended the fuel rebate for public transport, including school bus services, which currently provide transport for 100,000 children nationwide. “This move could cripple the school bus service in County Mayo,” Cllr O’Brien said, “and considering the economic climate and the cost of fuel that bus drivers already incur, the Government needs to offer a viable alternative to the fuel rebate scheme.”
The Fine Gael councillor added: “In addition to this, the school transport charges were increased in the last budget, with an additional €132 being levied against junior cycle students, and an increase of €66 on senior cycle students.”
Cllr O’Brien said that he has been contacted by concerned parents in his electoral area in recent months, who are now under increased pressure to afford these essential transport services, and who feel that the Government is further damaging the already fragile economy of rural Ireland.
