A Co Down mum says her young son has missed the first days of the new school term due to a lack of transport.
Five-year-old Jack Spiers from Killough, who has Special Educational Needs, was due to start P2 at Harberton Special School in south Belfast last Thursday.
But with no transport secured, which is organised through the Education Authority (EA), it means Jack is yet to return to the school.
Read more: Lisburn girl missing first days at new primary school due to transport issue
For the past two years, a private taxi firm contracted through the EA has been responsible for transporting Jack to and from nursery and later primary school, which is 29 miles away from the family home.
But his mum Ciara Spiers, 37, says that no taxi came for Jack to take him to school for his first day back last week and four days on, he is still stuck at home.
"My son hasn't been able to start back at school yet even though he was due to go back last Thursday," Ciara told Belfast Live.
"This is his third year at the school and with the same taxi company so I didn't think there would be any issue this time but nobody came for Jack last Thursday.
"I contacted the EA who directed me to the taxi firm, which said they weren't taking Jack anymore. On Thursday night, I was told that the taxi issue would definitely be sorted in time for Monday or Tuesday, at the latest.
"On Monday night, I got everything set out for Jack to go back to school the next morning. Then I got a call from the taxi company to say they had a driver but no escort for the time being until background checks are done."
Ciara added: "I was told that it will be another few days before that's sorted out. so I just have no idea at the moment if it will be this week or next week before Jack gets back to school.
"Jack has severe learning difficulties and is non-verbal. I have another daughter, aged 11, who is in mainstream school only five miles away from us so I can transport her myself."
This isn't the first time Ciara, a single mum, has faced transport issues when it comes to Jack's education.
"For Jack it's a 60 mile trip to school each day. I did have to take him for his first two weeks at nursery two years ago because I had a similar problem," she explained.
"I took him to Belfast three days a week because physically and financially I couldn't manage all five days. I didn't get a penny for those journeys but I didn't want him missing out.
"It meant having to hang around for two and a half hours so I could bring Jack home again but after two weeks the transport issue was sorted out."
Ciara added: "I'm not in a position to do that again this time because I'd have five hours to kill plus I can't be in two places at once.
"I have to bring my daughter to her school near us so Jack would be late getting to Harberton and then I'd have to take him out early to do the other school run."
"I feel really frustrated and fed up about it all. This is day four now and still no transport so that's four days so far that Jack has missed of P2.
"He's learning basic life skills and that time he's missing out on now is so important. I've been telling him he'll be seeing his friends at school and getting his wee schoolbag out only to have to put it away again."
A spokesperson for the Education Authority said: “We can confirm that a contract is in place and we have been assured the service will commence from tomorrow (Wednesday). We apologise for the inconvenience and upset caused to the family and wish the pupil well for the year ahead.
“We would ask for parents’ continued patience in these early days of services recommencing as they settle into their new pattern. If parents have any queries relating to home to school transport they can contact our helpline from Monday – Friday between 9.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 4.30pm, please call 028 95 98 59 59.”
READ NEXT:
-
Belfast boy almost misses first day of primary school due to transport issue
-
'Erosion of confidence' in Translink Metro due to cancelled buses
-
Belfast school reveals plans for major modernisation project
-
Cost of living: NI's most vulnerable pupils are 'facing a crisis this winter'
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
