The Department of Education and Minister Norma Foley have been accused of "incompetence" over the school transport "fiasco".

Independent TD in Galway Sean Canney has called on Minister Foley to intervene as up to eight families per school in his area of Galway are affected by school bus seat shortages.

It comes after free school transport was announced, leading to skyrocketing demand.

Deputy Canney says it's an absolute disaster for rural schoolchildren.

"The fiasco, as I described it - and it is that - has been brought about by the incompetence of the Department of Education and the Minister in making an announcement about school transport and free school transport without actually having some forward planning and also looking at the consequences of such a move", he said.

Drafting in the army

There were calls to draft in the army to drive school buses as thousands of families have been left waiting to hear if how they will get their children to school.

Independent Councillor Ger Carthy made the suggestion on Newstalk Breakfast in response to the government's decision to offer free school transport sparking a rush for places.

Some families who previously had places on the school bus system are being told they need to find their own transport this year.

Children on concessionary tickets are most likely to miss out.

Personal impact

Kildare mother of five Emma O’Regan said her three eldest have lost their place on the bus.

She said her daughter is going into fourth year and up until now has been able to get the bus right outside her house and travel the 12km to her school in Newbridge.

"My neighbour is still getting the bus, so I’ll literally be following the bus in and out of Newbridge."

“Now, I’m going to have to bring the two primary school kids up an hour early and we’re going to have to drive into Newbridge, drop the three big kids and then come back and drop the two national school children,” she said. “So, it is going to be a bit of a nightmare.

“The bus is still going. My neighbour is still getting the bus, so I’ll literally be following the bus in and out of Newbridge, sitting in traffic with the bus with two tired national school kids with me.”

Ms O’Regan said she applied for the school bus places as soon last year’s term ended – but when the free school transport was announced, her children were put in a lottery draw with all the new applicants.

She said she’s still hopeful a solution can be found.