Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
417. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 65106/26 of 16 September 2026, the rationale for the difference in the level of fuel support provided to private bus operators under the road transporters support scheme and that provided to operators contracted to provide school transport services through Bus Éireann (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68786/26]
View answerThe Department of Education and Youth fully recognise the essential role played by the School Transport Operators, in facilitating transport to and from school for over 181,000 children and young people nationally, which includes the provision of transport for over 24,000 children with additional needs.
Bus Éireann operate the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth, this includes the contract management of contractors operating services under the scheme.
A support package of measures aimed at easing the rising cost of fuel across relevant sectors was approved by Cabinet earlier this year. The Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS) which comes under the remit of the Department of Transport provided targeted relief to transport operators including school transport operators. Additionally, Government also approved fuel contract variation payments to be made to operators of TFI Local Link and School Transport Scheme services.
Support for school transport services was facilitated by Bus Éireann. These support mechanisms were administered through contractual arrangements.
Bus Éireann has provided each contractor with communication outlining the methodology and payment period to which it related.
The Department of Education & Youth engaged with the Department of Transport to agree monthly percentage uplift to be applied for March/April and May.
The amount of payment due was calculated for each individual contractor based on number of days operated in March to May 2026 as per the agreed methodology.
The Department of Education and Youth cannot provide information in the manner requested by the Deputy as it relates to a specific individual query. The contractor should contact Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority directly for any further information.
