Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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112. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce or enhance supports and assistance for small coach operators post-Covid-19 with particular reference to the severe financial pressure currently being placed on these businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16691/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce or enhance supports and assistance for small coach operators post-Covid-19 with reference to the severe financial pressure currently being placed on these businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16692/20]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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171. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to financially assist private bus companies that are out of work due to Covid-19 and need to insure and maintain buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17271/20]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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179. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to address the impact of Covid-19 on the bus and coach sector; if he will consider the introduction of a subsidy to support the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17370/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 112, 149, 171 and 179 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

While the majority of public transport in Ireland is provided by the publicly-subvented bus and rail services funded through National Transport Authority's (NTA) public service obligation (PSO) programme, the public transport system also includes non-subvented bus services provided on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying size. I understand that about 90% of the commercial bus operators suspended their services or have been providing significantly reduced services. My Department has engaged with the Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC) on a regular basis in relation to the impact of Covid-19 on licensed bus operators.

From my Department's engagement with their representatives, and indeed from the NTA's regular engagement with them throughout the crisis, I understand the very difficult business environment that the commercial bus operators are now dealing with. Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the Covid-19 situation presents huge challenges for many business sectors.

It is critical for the sector to be functioning so that it can carry the passengers that we need to return to work and to other activities as they re-open. Many of these operators provide essential transport services for people who need to get to work and are vital to ensure economic recovery.

For that reason, I am pleased to advise the Deputies that on 25 June the Government approved temporary funding supports, in accordance with EU and national legislation, for the licensed bus sector. These supports are aimed at ensuring the continued operation of essential licensed bus services for a period of up to six months. The package will be restricted to operators where a clear public interest justification supports such intervention and will be targeted at compensating the gap between specified costs and the revenues generated on the services. The NTA, as the public transport licensing agency, is responsible for administering funding support through the establishment of contracts between the NTA and the relevant operators.

This is, of course, additional to the wider programme of Government supports for impacted businesses were introduced, including new schemes of wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and business advisory supports for example. ortly.

With the commencement of Phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Businesson 29 June 2020, changes to the existing public transport social distancing restrictions were agreed, allowing a move from 2 metres social distancing to utilising 50% of the passenger-carrying capacity of fleet. This will help to underpin public transport services provided by both public and commercial licensed operators during these unprecedented times, with a view to safeguarding public transport capacity in Phases 3 and 4 of theRoadmap for Reopening Society and Business.