Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is an urgent need to revisit the requirement for physical distancing in our school transport system. We know that five- to 12-year-olds are now the group with the highest Covid incident rate. I have been contacted by a local private bus operator providing school transport services who has raised serious concern about the removal of physical distancing requirements. The operator carries out hundreds of school bus contracts daily and has seen an increasing number of bus drivers testing positive for Covid-19. Needless to say, operators are seeking the extension of physical distancing within our school bus transport system. I have contacted the Minister, Deputy Foley's Department directly on this matter, but I would appreciate if the Tánaiste could provide any information as to whether this will be revisited.

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