Mr. Feargal Barton:

I am unable to offer advice in the short term on school transport. Bus Éireann operate the main school transport scheme. There are different aspects to school transport. There is the private element of school transport within which operators engage with schools and parents with regard to operating private services. They have faced a difficult challenge during this period as a result of the 50% capacity rule and some operating on a larger capacity. In general, the return of school transport has been positive for school operators. Deputy Munster raised the issue of the loss of jobs. While we have likely seen 100% job losses in tourism, some of our drivers were diverted into different areas, such as school transport, to try to keep them within our companies while we get through this period, in order to bring them back to tourism next year.