| “The early afternoon service, provided by SELB buses and private operators contracted by the Board, will cease at the end of this school year. Children who are presently availing of the early afternoon service and who are eligible for transport assistance will be transported at the end of the school day.
“The decision to end the early afternoon service was made when it was clear to Board members that there was no other option.
“In reaching this decision members recognised that there is no obligation in law on the Board to provide this service so it had to be given a lower priority than services the Board has to provide by law.
“The SELB is the only Board providing a complete service to all eligible pupils who would otherwise receive the service at the end of the normal school day. In this situation the Board is considered open to challenge by Government on its expenditure of public money for this purpose.
“Members were acutely aware of the impact of this decision on those primary schools, parents and children who currently avail of the early afternoon service. The decision was made only when it was clear there was no other option.
“Letters have been sent to the principal of each primary school concerned, along with a supply of letters for the parents of children attending their school who will be affected by the Board’s decision. The principals have been asked to ensure that a copy of the letter is sent home with the child/children to each family concerned.”
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