A MUM has said her 9-year-old daughter is being forced to miss her first days at a new school unless she forks out £44 every day for a taxi.
Christina Currie, 38, said she is "stressed out and exhausted" as her daughter Amelia is stuck at home instead of at school.
Christina, from Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, said 9-year-old Amelia was excited to get started at new school St Colman's Primary.
But after her dad had to take time off work to get her there and back for her first day, Christina had to spend £44 every day since for a taxi.
But with the cost-of-living squeeze putting finances in a bind across Britain, the mum-of-two said she can't afford to keep splashing out just to get her daughter to school.
Unable to get the bus, Amelia is now stuck at home and continues to miss out as her mum says the situation is "really unfair."
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Christina said before the transportation problem, she was "delighted" her daughter was starting a new school.
"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.
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"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."
The 38-year-old said she has been in contact with the Education Authority every day, but her daughter is only at the end of a waiting list.
She continued: "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".
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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.
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