Sinn Féin TD for Waterford, Conor D. McGuinness, has said the Government’s annual failure to properly manage the school transport system is once again leaving families across Waterford facing uncertainty and unnecessary stress ahead of the new school year.
Deputy McGuinness was speaking after hosting an online public meeting on school transport on Monday evening, where dozens of parents from across the county outlined ongoing problems with bus places, routes and capacity.
“There is enormous frustration among parents. Families are dealing with uncertainty, inconsistency and poor communication at a time when they should be looking forward to the new school year. Instead, many still do not know how their children will get to school.
“I am currently working with scores of parents across Waterford who have contacted me seeking help. The problems are widespread, with recurring issues affecting communities including Ardmore and Grange, Ballymacarbry, the Lismore and Blackwater Valley area, Kilrossanty and parts of Butlerstown to Dunhill.
“In many cases, these problems come down to a lack of resources, with insufficient buses or capacity available. In others, there is a clear level of mismanagement. Whatever the cause, the result is the same: every year families are forced to endure the same chaos, uncertainty and frustration.”
Deputy McGuinness said he is continuing to engage directly with Bus Éireann on individual cases while raising the wider issues with the Minister for Education and the Minister of State with responsibility for school transport.
“I have long championed improvements to school transport and have successfully campaigned for additional services and capacity in Waterford. While those interventions have helped individual communities, they have not addressed the systemic failures at the heart of the scheme.
“The Government commissioned a comprehensive review of the School Transport Scheme in 2024, yet many of its recommendations remain unimplemented. Parents were promised reform, but instead they are experiencing the same annual chaos.
“Sinn Féin believes there is a better way. We need an end to the lottery system, proper investment in buses and drivers, better planning and a school transport service that meets the needs of rural families rather than letting them down year after year.
“I will continue working with affected families across Waterford and pressing Bus Éireann and Government until these issues are resolved.”.