Minister for School Transport John Halligan has committed to a meeting to resolve the Urris school bus debacle.
Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has today welcomed a commitment given to him by the Minister to organise a meeting with senior Department of Education officials to resolve the debacle in the Urris area of Inishowen.
Families have been denied the right to school transport to the secondary school in Carndonagh because secondary schools in Buncrana are deemed to be closer to their homes even though the “shortest traversable route” is over Mamore Gap, impassable in winter or poor weather conditions for a school bus.
Senator Mac Lochlainn “I discussed this matter personally at length with Minister John Halligan this morning and he has now undertaken to organise a meeting with senior department officials to try and resolve this issue once and for all.
“I impressed upon the Minister the stupidity of this “shortest traversable route” rule as it should only apply to a route that is safe for a school bus to travel on. Mamore Gap certainly is not a safe rout for a school bus to travel on all year round.
“Of course, while this debacle rolls on, families in the Urris parish are losing out on their right to school transport.
“I welcome Minister Halligan’s commitment to organise this meeting and I will not rest until their is a just solution.”
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