Image source, NI Assembly

The DUP's Keith Buchanan asks if the removal of the £100,000 cap is the only difference between the first and second schemes.

Ms Thompson says there are three aspects, with the first being the £100,000 cap.

The operators have also asked the department to reconsider the effect of EU state aid rules.

The official explains that this is complicated given that the scheme covers a period both before and after the end of the EU transition period.

The third aspect is around communications "and getting more regular updates to people".

Committee chair Michelle McIlveen opens the questions.

She says members of the sector are "hugely disappointed".

The DUP MLA refers to the suggestions put by the coach operators and says that "very few of those have actually been taken on board".

Image source, NI Assembly

She asks for an explanation of what the department means by "value for money".

"This is obviously public funds that is being used and therefore we have to ensure that is being applied properly," says Ms Thompson.

She explains that this is why the funds are aimed at loss-making companies rather than profit-making businesses.

Image source, NI Assembly

Julie Thompson opens the briefing.

She says she's going to update the members on the second edition of the scheme to provided financial support for coach and bus operators affected by the Covid pandemic.

The official says the sector is dealing with "an extremely difficult situation".

The first scheme closed before Christmas, but it only applied to losses incurred up to September 2020.

The new scheme applies to costs incurred between 1 October 2020 and 31 March 2021.

Ms Thompson says representatives of the sector have made a number of suggestions, including the removal of a £100,000 cap on payments.

She outlines some of the ways that the department has addressed the operators' concerns, adding that "the department has to provide value for money and protect public funds".

Image source, NI Assembly

Committee chair Michelle McIlveen opens the meeting to the public.

She and her DUP colleague Keith Buchanan are the only MLAs present in Committee Room 29, with the remainder of the MLAs joining remotely.

She takes the members through some initial committee business before turning to the first item on today's agenda.

It's a briefing on further financial assistance for bus and coach operators due to coronavirus.

The witnesses, Julie Thompson and Philip Gallagher, are both Department for Infrastructure officials.

Image source, Reuters

Welcome to Wednesday’s live coverage of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

This morning, the Infrastructure Committee has a briefing on support for bus and coach operators.

This afternoon, we’ll join members of The Executive Office Committee for a Brexit briefing from Junior Ministers Declan Kearney and Gary Middleton.

The Infrastructure Committee meets at 09:30. Do stay with us.