Ministers Announce School Transport Contractor Payments

Ministers announce school transport arrangements (click here for press release)

Published: 24 April 2020
From: Department of Education and Skills

Refunds to be issued to families at end of school year

Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. and the Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development John Halligan T.D. have announced that families will receive refunds for school transport fees for periods of schools closures.

The payments will issue at the end of the school year once the exact period of closures is confirmed.

The Ministers also announced that school bus contractors will continue to receive a 50% payment while schools are closed in this academic year.

Following the initial announcement that schools would be closed until 29 March 2020, and in light of the exceptional circumstances, it was agreed that school transport contractors would be paid at the normal or full rate for that period.

It was then decided that a payment of 50% would be afforded for the week commencing Monday 30 March 2020 until now. This 50% payment will be extended whilst schools are closed in this academic year as a result of the public health restrictions.

Parents are also reminded that applications for the school transport scheme for the next school year close today, Friday April 24.

Minister McHugh said:

“We know that parents, particularly in rural areas, were seeking clarity in relation to refunds while schools were closed. I am happy to confirm refunds will issue later this year when we know the precise amount of time lost in schools.”

Minister Halligan said:

“Today’s announcement brings certainty to parents and to operators of the school transport scheme. It is only right that parents and contractors are compensated due to this unprecedented chain of events.”

ENDS