To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail the rationale for the £100,000 cap on payments to an individual bus and coach operator to be provided as part of private bus and coach support scheme.

The DfI support scheme for private coach and bus operators being developed will distribute £5m of public funds. £100k is the maximum payment which can be paid through this scheme and is in addition to other available financial support such as the £25k of business support grants, furlough and rate support and COVID 19 loans. This scheme was devised to help ensure payments can get to the industry quickly and the cap was recommended in line with value for money. It is estimated that this £100,000 cap will impact on approximately 2% of operators and I have asked my officials to continue to work with the industry through this crisis.