Vol. 485 No. 2
341 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science the submission, if any, he has received regarding operating costs for private bus owners under the school transport scheme, particularly in relation to bus operators under the Athlone district serving County Offaly; if so, his views on this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22595/97]
A written submission was received from the contractors in question, when four of their representatives met with officials of my Department and Bus Éireann in September 1997. The content of the submission related to the rates of payment of private operators contracted by Bus Éireann under the school transport scheme.
Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme as agents of my Department. Contracts for operating the scheme are negotiated between Bus Éireann and the individual operators engaged under the scheme. The question of rates of payment would form part of these negotiations.
