A Co Antrim mum says her young daughter is missing her first days at her new primary school due to a transport issue with the Education Authority.
Nine-year-old Amelia Currie from Lisburn, who has Special Educational Needs, was excited for her first day at her new school, St Colman's primary in Lambeg, last Wednesday.
But with no transport confirmed through the EA, it was left to her father to take time off work to drop her to school and bring her home again.
Read more: Belfast boy almost misses first day of primary school due to transport issue
Then last Thursday and Friday, her mum Christina, 38, had to spend £44 each day on a taxi to make sure Amelia got to and from school.
However, with her finances stretched, the mum-of-two says she can't afford to fork out that amount of money every day until her daughter's transport issues are resolved.
That means Amelia is now being forced to remain at home rather than thrive at her new school, according to her mum.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Christina said: "This has been going on since August 15, when it was confirmed that Amelia would be attending St Colman's but there was no information about a start date or anything to do with transport.
"I was delighted because Amelia has been struggling with school for a long time due to her needs. She has learning difficulties and ADHD.
"Her dad had to take time out of work to make sure Amelia got to school for her first day on August 31 and home again afterwards. It was a one-off for her first day but it's not something we can ask his employers for every time.
"I had to take her to school by taxi for the next two days as I don't drive. It cost me £44 in taxis each time because we live on one side of Lisburn and her new school is at the other end. That's money that I need to have refunded too."
Christina added: "I've been in contact with the EA each day only to be told every time that Amelia is on the waiting list and the job is out for tender but until a driver accepts this job, there's nothing they can do.
"Today [Monday] there's no school for her because I have another child in sixth form so it's costing me hundreds to put her through school.
"As a single parent on benefits, I can't afford to be facilitating taxis every day so Amelia can get to and from her school until this is sorted out.
"She's already about four years behind in terms of her education and for her to be sitting at home today and for goodness knows how long will set her back even further.
"Amelia has been really emotional over the weekend about it all as she was already settling in well at her new school. She was so happy but now she wants to know why her new friends are going to school and she can't.
"I have tried everything but there's nobody in my area taking their children to the same school or able to drive. I'm totally stressed out and exhausted by all of this, but until transport is sorted, my daughter is without any education. It just seems really unfair."
The Education Authority said it is aware of the transport disruption this family has experienced at the beginning of school term and has "sincerely apologised for the upset and frustration caused".
An EA spokesperson added: “We are disappointed this experience has not been to the standard we would expect and we are continuing to work with the family to confirm alternative arrangements.
“Over 3,500 pupils, many of whom have Special Educational Needs, are transported to and from school by a taxi provided by EA and the well-documented shortage of taxi operators in Northern Ireland is impacting on some of our services this September.
“The continuing challenges facing the taxi industry (40% decrease in taxi operators in the last 5-6 years) is impacting on a small proportion of our services this September.
“Due to the hard work of our team, emergency arrangements were put in place for the vast majority of these routes. However the shortage of drivers, and short notice provided, is causing some service disruption in the initial days and has also made communication extremely challenging.
“We understand the significant impact late cancellations or no-shows can have on a pupil and their family and we do our best to confirm alternative transport arrangements and/or notify the family in a timely manner.
“Where it is not possible to secure an operator, we work with families to develop alternative arrangements such as a parental payment. As pupils start back to school we ask for parents’ continued patience while pupils and operators alike settle into their new timetables and routes.
"Parents with any queries or concerns relating to home to school transport can contact our helpline from Monday – Friday between 9.30am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 4.30pm.”
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