The school bus system 'is a disgrace', says Kilkenny TD

Deputy John McGuinness has hit out at the school bus system in Dáil Éireann and has stated that 'it should be put out to public tender'.

"We should get an analysis of what Bus Éireann is providing and how much it actually costs," he told fellow TDs.

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"We should also analyse the service that is not being delivered in certain areas so that we can understand why that is the case. We can then adjust the plan to ensure that local communities are accommodated.

"For example, 40 students who travel through Mullinavat to the education and training board, ETB, in Waterford are not being accommodated. I have mentioned this case to the Minister for Education.

"Immediate steps must be taken to provide a bus for that route. This may seem parochial, but it is what we are supposed to be spending the money on. It is not being spent efficiently or properly at the moment.

"I will not stop making representations for that community until such time as the bus service is provided. The same can be said of those travelling from the Gowran area to Kilkenny City.

"It is high time that the Minister insisted that the school bus scheme be put out to tender and re-organised and that every student be accommodated, where possible."