Dear Secretary,

Please see below guidance regarding changes to school transport notified to schools this afternoon. Following the Cabinet decisions on the reopening of society on 22nd October there was no change notified regarding lifting of mitigation measures for schools. The guidelines on social distancing, hand hygiene, mask wearing, and respiratory etiquette continue to apply and this is expected to continue in the medium to long term. ACCS continues to engage with the Department seeking guidance and clarification for schools at the earliest opportunity. The Department of Education has committed to issue guidance during the week following midterm break on issues such as Parent Teacher Meetings, Board of Management Meetings, School Trips and a range of other school activities.    

In the interim I hope you all have the opportunity to take a break over the coming week. In ACCS we remain available during the midterm to assist schools and provide guidance and advice.

Department Guidance on School Transport:   

As you are aware, during the last school year and in the 2021/22 year to date, post-primary level school transport has been running at 50% capacity.  The Department of Education has kept this position under review, as the vaccination programme for post-primary age children was rolled out and as the restrictions were lifted on public transport.  Following the mid-term break, plans will begin for post-primary school transport services to resume operating at 100% capacity, in line with the lifting of restrictions on public transport. All other measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating, cleaning and the wearing of masks by post-primary students will remain in place subject to further review.  

It will take a period of time to re-organise and re-schedule services. Your local Bus Éireann office will contact you if necessary about any revised arrangements and where an additional service or services were established to provide for social distancing that are now to be discontinued you will be advised of the date so that any notice period may be given to any additional School Bus Escorts employed on these services.

With regard to post-primary special needs transport services, the Department will work with schools on a case by case basis where such services may be required to continue operating at 50% capacity.

Any pupil who has been issued a ticket for this school year will retain their ticket for the year.  Where additional vehicles that were provided for social distancing purposes are removed and when all services resume operating at 100% capacity, any spare capacity available will  be offered on those services to concessionary pupils or late applicants where such capacity exists. 

John Irwin, General Secretary, ACCS