Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2015
1191. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine and amend the new tendering process adapted by Bus Éireann which is causing concern to parents of special needs children and the small bus contractors transporting these special needs children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30734/15]
View answerBoth my Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for children with special educational needs under the School Transport Scheme. This is reflected in the standard of service provided and by Bus Éireann factoring the individual requirements of the children concerned into the planning of these services which generally operate on a door-to-door basis.
However, Bus Éireann is obliged to tender all works, goods and services in line with the European Directives on public procurement. This includes school transport services performed by contractors under the School Transport Scheme, which Bus Éireann operates on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.
Generally a five-year contract is awarded to the successful tenderer. This provides security for the duration of the contract to the contractor as well as stability, in terms of familiarity with transport arrangements, for the families, schools, and children concerned.
