Sinn Féin reps for Kildare town criticise lack of transport to secondary school

The lack of transport to one secondary school has been criticised by a Sinn Féin TD and local councillor who both represent Kildare town.

Two weeks ago, the Leinster Leader published an article which detailed Labour Party TD Mark Wall's call for a school bus service to be provided for 20 pupils from Kildare town attending Curragh Post Primary School.

Minister for Education Helen McEntee said that Bus Eireann had advised her that the children are not eligible for a school bus service because they don't live in the catchment area of the school. This decision was criticised by Deputy Wall.

Now, two Sinn Féin representatives in Kildare town have also criticised the decision.

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh told the Leader: "This is yet another example of government mismanagement that defies common sense. First, the government fails to provide school places for children in their own locality, and then punishes those children and their parents by denying them school transport."

She added: "I am calling on the government to correct this policy oversight and to introduce a dedicated bus route to serve the dozen or so children who have been forced to travel outside their town to access their right to education."

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh of Sinn Féin. File photograph

In addition, Cllr Noel Connolly issued a lengthy response to the matter.

He said: "The situation is ridiculous; the school on the Curragh should be left where it is located, and refurbished and expanded as a school for The Curragh and surrounding areas, including Newbridge town.

"A separate school should be opened on the Magee Barracks site for Kildare town and surrounding areas."

Cllr Connolly continued: "Don't forget, the Magee Barracks land was offered to the council for free and due to inaction, the Department [of Education] spent millions buying a portion of it for this school.

"The census data shows that there is enough capacity for both schools. The current school is at the heart of The Curragh community, and the local economy, and moving it from The Curragh makes no sense."

Cllr Noel Connolly of Sinn Féin. File photograph

He also pointed out that his party launched a policy document in relation to additional school bus places last year.

Cllr Connolly further said: "The Department's own review of school transport from 2021 remains largely unimplemented.

"I believe strongly that every child that wants a place on a school bus should have it. It makes sense from a road safety,  congestion and climate action point of view."

He concluded by saying: "We need to address the skills shortage by incentivising training for bus drivers, whether that's through Solas, Springboard, or the Local Enterprise Office."

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