Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
296. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the financial stress and threat to livelihood being endured by a cohort of bus and coach operators; his plans to meet with this small cohort of operators or a small delegation from an organisation (details supplied) to identify the issues affecting them with a view to securing a resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17111/21]
View answerFirstly I would like to explain that the School Transport Scheme (STS) is under the remit of my colleague, Norma Foley, the Minister for Education and Skills. The STS is operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland. I do not have plans to meet the organisation referred to by the Deputy as the services they provide are closed, private hire services under which the operators have contracts with either schools or parents, and all users would be known to the operators; this contrasts with scheduled public transport services which are provided on an open basis to the general public and for which the Government has provided substantial support to keep these services running for the public during the Covid heath emergency.
The Government has also put in place a wide range of financial supports available across the entire business sector - including those businesses referred to by the Deputy - that can help mitigate the impact of Covid-19. These include the Pandemic Unemployment Payment extended to end June 2021, the Wage Subsidy Scheme extended through 2021, the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Small Business Assistance Scheme (SBASC), grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates, and deferral of tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow. Futher details on the range of supports are available at www.enterprise.gov.ie.
Businesses may also wish to contact their Local Enterprise Office who can advise of supports that may be available.
