Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed €5.3 million to help address the impact of the increased cost of fuel for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of 2022 for contractors operating on the Department of Education’s school transport scheme. 

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “I very much welcome this payment of €5.3 million which will go some way to address the impact of the increased cost of fuel for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of 2022. School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.” 

The Cavan and Monaghan TD added: “In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021. In the region of 5,800 vehicles are operated by private contractors under contract to Bus Éireann for the provision of school transport scheme services.”

The contribution is a temporary measure and the position with regard to fuel costs will continue to be kept under review.

ENDS

23/05/2022