Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 December 2011
60 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the contractual arrangement between him and Bus Éireann regarding the operation of the school transport scheme; the cost of this contract; when it is up for review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38077/11]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme has, since its inception, been operated by Bus Eireann (formerly CIÉ) on behalf of the Department, and this remains the position.
The 2011 allocation to my Department for the provision of School Transport is almost €180m. This allocation provides for all aspects of school transport provision including the disbursement of grants for eligible recipients.
61 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 22 November 2011, if the matter will be reinvestigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38078/11]
View answerThe planning and organising of school bus routes is an operational matter for Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Schemes on behalf of my Department. Bus routes are planned in such a way as to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible pupils have a reasonable level of service while at the same time ensuring that school transport vehicles are utilised in an efficient and cost effective manner.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question has a morning pick up time of 8.00am (previously this was 8.15am) and a set down time of 9.10am; school commences at 9.20am. The bus service in question provides transport for ten other children and two escorts who travel with the children to and from school.
It is considered to be a reasonable level of service in the context of the general operation of the scheme.
