The Rural Independents have called on Education Minister Norma Foley to intervene to solve shortages in the School Transport System.
Deputy Mattie McGrath says shambolic planning and a lack of school bus seats are resulting in up to 15,000 children nationwide left without school transport as schools reopen this week.
The TD says his office is inundated with queries from parents – some who could avail of a concessionary ticket last year being unable to secure such a ticket this year.
The TD says the government announced the abolition of fees without any consideration given to increasing capacity meaning some parents are now forced to find alternative arrangements or undertake to drive their children to school themselves.
Deputy McGrath accepted that there are problems with capacity every year as school starts but says the disorder witnessed this year is far greater than before.
The Rural Independents are calling for the strict eligibility criteria to be completely abolished and for the State to provide all children free school transport.
The Tipperary TD wants the Education Minister and the Chief Executive of Bus Eireann to take full accountability and immediately provide the required capacity.
