To ask the Minister of Education what provision will be made for children who are unable to get to school to sit their exams as a result of a public transport strike.

I have written to the Minister for Infrastructure highlighting the significant impact that a public transport strike will cause to school transport services and particularly the potential disruption for pupils taking public examinations.

Whilst potential contingencies are limited by the nature of such a strike, my Department has developed a scheme whereby the Education Authority (EA) will provide financial support to schools to mitigate costs incurred in providing alternative transport support to pupils at risk of missing public exams due to industrial action. Schools were notified of the scheme in advance of the industrial action that was scheduled to commence on 17th May 2022.