SDLP Cllr Conor Galbraith says there are significant issues with local school transport
Downpatrick area SDLP Councillor Conor Galbraith has spoken out as more children are affected by a lack of school transport.
Cllr Galbraith said: “Every September we hear of the same issues.
“School Transport is either not confirmed or is only arranged for part of the school day.
“Starting back to school is daunting – both for children and their parents – and especially for those children with additional needs.
“I am hearing of there being taxi’s but no escorts or transport only arranged for one leg of the school journey.
“I understand the financial pressures that the Education Authority are under, but sometimes it feels like a surprise when we arrive at this situation once again September.
“Annually there are issues in terms of transportation.
“Just this week I heard of a case where a child left home to go to school by taxi and for some reason the return journey home was cancelled.
“The school had to call the parents to come and collect their child from school.
“This simply isn’t good enough.
“Not good enough for the child who may already be apprehensive and even be experiencing mental health issues, but equally on a parent who is at work or tied up elsewhere.
“We need to ensure that the Education Authority rectifies the outstanding issues in the here-and-now.
“And then we need to address forward planning so we are better prepared for next year so children and parents have that confidence and trust in the system that is so badly lacking at present.”
