Problems with the school transport system are causing obstacles in accessing education for many parents in rural areas, according to Children's Ombudsman Emily Logan.
The Ombudsman made the comments on the publication of her Submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science.
The report shows that since January 2005 the Ombudsman's office has received 55 complaints, affecting 136 children.
Ms Logan said that she is aware that thousands of children travel on school transport every year and many of them may experience no difficulties at all.
But, she said, her office is hearing certain problems repeated from all over Ireland.
The Ombudsman said that one of the biggest issues brought to her attention is the lack of supervision on school buses and drop-off points.
Children have highlighted the fact that the school bus is a regular site for bullying and they are often unsupervised as many of them are dropped at the school gate sometime before the school opens.
Regarding children with disabilities, parents have reported situations where school buses have not been fitted with simple pieces of equipment that would allow wheelchair users avail of the service.
The last formal report on the system was published by the School Transport Review Committee in 1998.
Ms Logan said that alomost 10 years later many of the report's recommendations have not been implemented.
She added that she hoped that a new Oireachtas Education Committee will be formed that will bring a new and fresh approach to the school transport issue.
