School Transport Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Questions (285)

John O'Mahony

Question:

285. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reasons for decisions as if responding to a section 18 of the Freedom of Information Act request as to the reason the regulations giving effect to Commission Directive 80/723/EEC of 25 June 1980, as amended by Commission Directive 85/413/EEC of 24 July 1985, Commission Directive 93/84/EEC of 30 September 1993 and Commission Directive 2000/52/EC of 26 July 2000 and the European Union (Financial Transparency Regulations) as amended over the years did or did not apply to the payment his Department made during the relevant periods to date to Bus Éireann for school transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12909/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Compliance by Bus Éireann with the European Communities (Financial Transparency) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 693 of 2004) and Directives is a matter for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Bus Éireann has confirmed to my Department that it is compliant with these Regulations and Directives. In essence the company is required to maintain separate accounts for its commercial and PSO activities and the company complies with this requirement.