School Transport Administration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 June 2014

Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Questions (59, 60, 61)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

59. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 8 April 2014 if the Secretary General of his Department was aware when he personally told the Comittee of Public Accounts on 15 May 2014, "we are confident in the robustness of the systems we have in place but we have been seeking to enhance them and we are open to further enhancements", that his Department allowed the non-compliance with the EU directive by allowing direct awards of contracts to be made in 100% of the contracts awarded to private school bus contractors in the school transport scheme from 1 July 1993 when Directive 92/50 became law in Ireland up to the 2010/2011 school year; the action he will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26259/14]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

60. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 8 April 2014, if he will set out in tabular form for County Cork the number and percentage of contracts and the total values of contracts awarded to school transport sub-contractors in compliance with the public procurement directive; if he will do the same for the contracts that were non-compliant with the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26260/14]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

61. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 196 of 8 April 2014, if he will confirm that Bus Éireann in respect of the school transport scheme has used the negotiated procedure in inappropriate circumstances which are not in compliance with either of the Directives 2004/18 or 2004/17 in regard to 100% of the contracts awarded to sub-contractors since 2011; if he will obtain legal advice from a senior counsel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26261/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 to 61, inclusive, together.

My Department is in contact with Bus Éireann in relation to the detail of the Deputy's question. The information requested will be provided directly to the Deputy when received.