Thousands of pupils have been left with no way to get to class over a lack of spaces on the free School Transport Scheme, it has emerged.
It comes amid unprecedented demand for spots on buses as schools reopen around the country.
The scheme had been hailed as a major breakthrough for parents who couldn’t afford transport as the cost of living crisis worsens.
130,000 applications were made for the scheme this year, with a third of those being first time applicants.
But only 112,000 tickets have been issued, according to Bus Eireann who have apologised for delays.
The online account management system, known as the Family Portal, reopened this week after being forced to shut on 29 July.
The scheme gives priority to eligible pupils, for example those attending the nearest school, and concessionary tickets are allocated to other students if there are seats available.
Sinn Féin transport spokesperson Darren O’Rourke called on the Minister for Education to urgently intervene to expand capacity.
Deputy O’Rourke said: “The government’s failure to expand capacity on the School Transport Scheme, in conjunction with the elimination of fares, is causing massive problems for families.
“The removal of fares has resulted in unprecedented numbers applying for the scheme, but because of the strict criteria in place, thousands of children who are categorised as ‘concessionary’ will now be refused a seat.
“To make matters worse, many of those who are being refused have used the scheme for years and this leaves their parents in a very difficult position, as they cannot do the school run due to work commitments and totally depend on the school bus.
“Families who expected to realise savings of €500 now look set, instead, to be heaped with additional costs as they try to find alternatives.
“It’s a spectacular failure of planning and turned what should be a good news story on fares into a nightmare for many who will now be left without a seat.
“Bus Éireann has been inundated with calls from parents desperate to get a seat for their child, but the responsibility for adding extra capacity lies solely with the Minister for Education.
“Unfortunately, Minister Foley is missing in action, leaving no solution to this crisis.
“The Minister must intervene urgently. She should instruct Bus Éireann to look within its own and the private bus sector’s resources to expand capacity to ensure that no child is left without a seat.
“The opportunity exists to transform the school commute and to make this a really positive story. The Minister must act now.”
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