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Ardmore no closer to school bus service solution

Ardmore no closer to school bus service solution

Parents in Ardmore are still yet to find a solution to the lack of a designated public school bus service to Dungarvan.

A second protest took place on Saturday 31st August with over 200 in attendance including Sinn Féin TD, David Cullinane and Fianna Fáil Councillor, Tom Cronin.

Concerned parent and protester Carole Troy spoke to WLR News outlining how impressive the attendance was at the weekend.

"Given that the population of Ardmore is under 500, we had about 50% of the population of Ardmore represented which I think indicates the level of frustration and anger that people in Ardmore are feeling about this issue."

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The first protest took place Saturday, August 24th with approximately 100 people in attendance.

The parents wish to be provided with options for where their children attend school.

"In Dungarvan we have four schools. It's about choice. Whether it's in your county or not it's about having a choice rather than being forced into the single school that is available in Youghal. I think parents are entitled to choose where their children go to school. It's very important."

Ms Troy was left disappointed with the latest update from the Department of Education.

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"The statement from Norma Foley's office has completely failed to address the fact that there are in excess of 40 children in the village of Ardmore who don't have access to school transport on the public system from the village and their parents are being forced to pay €40 a week per child on an ongoing basis."

Regarding whether there has been any support from the schools in Dungarvan, Carole Troy stated there has been very little.

"We haven't received any feedback from them. They have been made aware of the situation but to the best of my knowledge we haven't received any support with regards to this situation. But I suppose it should be an issue for them given that our children are arriving on their door step up to an hour before school starts. The children become their responsibility when they arrive there."

"It should be an issue for them."

A development has arisen in the form of a road traffic audit at Kiely's Cross to be conducted involving local Councillor Tom Cronin and Gardaí.

"How long is this going to take? Is this going to be some other report to be issued and sit on somebody's desk like the school transport report has sat on Norma Foley's desk since February of this year?"

"If it continues in its current form there is going to be a serious accident. You have large articulated lorries. You have cars going to and from Dungarvan, to Youghal. It really is a dangerous spot. That stretch of road is notorious, there have been numerous accidents there. It's very serious.

Somebody is going to be hurt or God forbid somebody is going to be killed."

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