Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is just making sure that middle Ireland is not left out and that is why I am sure the Deputy will be supporting that measure in the budget.

Regarding school transport, to date over 100,000 tickets have been issued for children availing of transport on primary and post-primary school transport schemes, which is an increase of 7% on the tickets issued this time last year. Planning for school transport for the 2021-22 school year has proceeded on the basis that the public health measures in place when schools closed at the end of the last school year would remain as the term began in this new school year. These include recommendations from public health that post-primary services operate at 50% capacity. All other measures relating to hygiene, preassigned seating, cleaning and the wearing of masks by post-primary students are also in place. However, as the vaccination programme for children on post-primary services is rolled out and the lifting of restrictions on public transport services proceeds, the capacity limit of 50% on post-primary school transport services will be subject to ongoing review. The Department will make decision on that in the coming weeks.

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