Parents and families of pupils availing of school transport will be getting refunds following the COVID-19 disruption to school openings.
Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney said: “This is a very welcome move by the Department of Education.
“It is only fair that a service that could not be delivered should be refunded. This will be of particular help to families living in rural areas.
“Parents will be refunded at the end of the school year when there will be certainty about the length of disruption to the service.
“I am also pleased that school bus contractors will continue to be paid 50% of their fees while schools are closed.”
School transport contractors were paid their full normal rate up to March 29 following the initial closure of schools.
For the week beginning March 30 after the decision that schools should remain closed, it was decided that contractors would receive 50% of their payments until April 24.
The Department of Education has now announced that the 50% payments will continue while schools are closed under public health restrictions.

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
April 24 2020