Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of Covid and the NPHET restrictions on school transport. NPHET announced a 50% cut in capacity. Since last night, I have been contacted by more than 50 pupils from Cobh who are with a private bus operator and the operator will be cutting capacity by 50%, which means 50% of pupils cannot get to school. The operator has offered the alternative of doubling the bus route but also doubling the fare. Are there any options for private operators to be brought under the same rules as the Bus Éireann school transport system or to receive subsidies? Otherwise, we will be left with parents who will not be able to get kids to school.

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