By ELLIE O’BYRNE & KATIE GLAVIN

Covid-19 related delays to a review of the school transport system mean that a report with recommendations for changes to the system, considered vital for school children in rural locations, is now due ‘later this year’, according to the Department of Education. 

Responding to a ministerial question by TD Seán Sherlock, Minister Norma Foley couldn’t confirm if the report would be published in time to implement changes for the new academic year in September. 

A report was commissioned in October 2019 to examine how places on school transport are allocated. 

However, a first meeting of the steering group overseeing the review didn’t take place until 16 months later, in February 2021. Covid-19 restrictions were cited by the Minister as the reason for the delays. 

Full story in this week’s Print & Digital Edition