Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
840. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if supports will be made available to private bus companies providing school transport but not being funded by Bus Éireann to ensure social distancing measures can be properly implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8115/20]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme comes under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills. Bus services outside that scheme are part of the overall public transport sector.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is working with public transport operators (both public and private) who are implementing public health advice in relation to issues such as cleaning regimes and social distancing measures designed to limit the risk of spreading Covid-19. The public health advices apply across all public transport. The recently announced 'Return to Work Safely Protocol' also sets out the steps and processes employers and workers must take to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace.
From my Department's engagement their representatives, and indeed from the NTA's regular engagement with them throughout, I understand the very difficult business environment that commercial bus operators are facing. Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the Covid-19 situation presents huge challenges for very many business sectors.
That is why we have worked to introduce a wide programme of Government supports for impacted businesses. The range of supports available includes new schemes of wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and business advisory supports for example. I am engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation about these matters and am raising with her the concerns and situation of the commercial operators.
