To ask the Minister of Education whether his Department has engaged with Translink and the Education Authority, to ensure school transport aligns more accurately with the post-primary academic calendar.

The Education Authority (EA) is responsible for the operation and delivery of school transport and it maintains regular contact with Translink regarding the alignment of school transport for the start of the new school year.

All home to school transport services, including those operated by Translink, commence operation on 1st September each year. Individual schools are responsible for determining their own calendar, however the EA writes to each school in February/March to inform them of the non-operational dates for the following academic year and to remind them that home to school transport services do not commence until 1st September.