Danny Kinahan MLA, Vice Chair of the Education Committee has welcomed the launch of a review of the home to school transport policy, but expressed his frustration at the amount of time it has taken to come about.
Mr Kinahan said:
“While it is welcome that the Minister has finally launched a review, it is deeply frustrating that it has taken two years since the Ulster Unionist Party motion calling for this was passed in the Assembly. The Minister has had his head in the sand over the vast savings that could be made through bringing forward a new policy.
“The current home to school transport policy has been in place for a very long time and is outdated; we know that it is not working as it should. The Ulster Unionist Party have long been advocates of reviewing the system to see how it can be improved, particularly for those with Special Educational Needs and children from the rural community in Northern Ireland.
“Many children across Northern Ireland depend on home to school transport; the system must be fit for them.’