The school bus shortage in Emo and Vicarstown has been solved with the provision of a 52-seater bus, it has been confirmed.
Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan confirmed that a 52 seater bus is to be allocated to students travelling to Portlaoise Secondary Schools from the Vicarstown/Emo area.
The decision follows a meeting on Wednesday with Minister John Halligan which Minister Flanagan organised and chaired.
This meeting was attended by a Laois delegation which included parents Dermot Dunne and Yvonne Kelly, Deputy Sean Fleming, Cllr Tom Mulhall, Cllr Paschal McEvoy and a representative of Deputy Brian Stanley.
Minister Flanagan the welcome news from the Department of Education earlier this afternoon.
“At the start of the school term, a number of children who were previously in receipt of concessionary tickets on this route, were left without transport for the coming school term due to the allocation of a small bus on this route”
“Following a very productive meeting with Minister Halligan on Wednesday a decision to install a larger bus on the route has been made.”
Stress
“This issue caused significant stress for the families affected and I am delighted that a decision to allocate a larger bus to the route has been made,” Minister Flanagan said.
Families from Vicarstown and Emo had been told by the school transport department that bus places were available to schools in Athy and Monasterevin, even though these schools do not take pupils from Laois.
The news brings to an end a hard-fought campaign by parents to secure transport for children from the area.
“This is very much welcome the news,” said Cllr Tom Mulhall.
“A great effort went in the first place to get to meet the minister and to get such a quick response is very pleasing.
“I’d like to thank Minister Flanagan and Minister Halligan, the school principal and the public representatives.
“I also want to praise the parents for standing up on this issue. If you don’t make noise, nothing will happen and I am happy now that the issue has been resolved,” he said.
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