Just as families with children with additional needs in Monaghan are preparing to send their children back to school tomorrow, they received notice yesterday that there is no bus available to take them. Although the fractured school bus system results every year in some students missing out on transport, the failure is felt more acutely in the special needs community.
Some seven children from the Clones area, who are used to taking the bus to the Holy Family School in Cootehill, have now had their routine disrupted leaving parents to deal with the fall-out. Some of those pupils affected are on the autism spectrum, for whom routine is essential.
Parents have been building children up for the return to school and one mother had a new job beginning when her child's school term started.Now, the break in routine and change of plans leaves parents with distressed children, days missed off school and disruption to parents' working day.
Paddy McAloon is father to two children with additional needs. His family have been affected by the cancelled service and told Northern Sound he feels it is "disrespectful" to give parents only two days' notice: "These kids, y'know routine is their life, they're all looking forward to going back to school so I thought it was disrespectful for a start off," Mr McAloon told Northern Sound, "I had a mother call me yesterday who was supposed to be starting a new job but is very distraught now because she's wondering where her child is going to go now. I believe at the minute this company - through no fault of their own - is unbale to get drivers so Bus Éireann has to fulfil its responsibilities. It's just not on and it's just not good enough and it leaves parents in an impossible position."
