Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 April 2012
70 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is realistic is it to ask private bus contractors to tender now for runs next September when they do not know how much fuel will cost next September and all the other associated costs when providing the transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21094/12]
View answer71 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is extremely unfair of the Department to advertise now, runs that are already being carried out by competent bus operators; his proposals to offer out to tender the runs that their own bus fleet operate with their own drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21095/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together.
Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department. The opportunity is available now for private operators who are interested in providing school transport services under the school transport scheme to submit a completed pre-qualification questionnaire to Bus Éireann in order to join a panel of suitable operators. Operators who qualify for the panel may be invited to tender at a later stage before the new school year commences in late August 2012. Operators are not being invited to tender at this stage. The tendering process for engaging private operators falls within the scope of the European procurement directives and as such is subject to procurement procedures. Allowing for the notification to the market, the evaluation of pre qualification questionnaires, the evaluation of tender responses, the award of a contract, and the standstill period, this process must commence now in order to have all services in place by late August.
