Written Answers Nos. 1166-1192
1166. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience in China; the actions he has taken to address this disturbing practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30506/15]
View answerThe Government follows closely reports of human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners, including reported cases of organ harvesting. Human rights issues are discussed on a regular basis with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral and multilateral meetings, including during the visit of Premier Li Keqiang to Ireland in May 2015. Through the formal framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 1995, the EU continues to share with China its experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and to urge China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation. The latest session of this dialogue took place on 8-9 December 2014 and provided the EU with the opportunity to express its concerns about a wide range of human rights issues in China, including the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities, deprivation of liberty, and criminal and administrative punishment. The next round of the Dialogue is due to take place in November 2015, and this will allow the EU to raise matters of concern. In 2013, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade held a series of meetings with representatives of the Irish Falun Dafa Association and human rights lawyers. During these meetings the Irish Falun Dafa Association discussed the issue of organ harvesting and ways in which human rights issues are raised with Chinese authorities by both Ireland and the EU. However, it should be noted that the Chinese Government denies accusations of human rights abuses against those who practice Falun Gong. New laws on organ donation have come into force in China at the beginning of 2015 with a view to ending the practice of forced organ transplants, including from prisoners. The Embassy of Ireland in Beijing, in cooperation with our EU partners, is monitoring the implementation of this new legislation.
Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to address human rights issues with China, in frequent and regular dialogue, through our contacts in both Dublin and Beijing and through the relevant multilateral channels.
1167. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No.444 of 7 July 2015, and if in view of the greater diversity in backgrounds of citizens, the steps he will take to reflect this in the documents and guidelines for passport applications. [30560/15]
View answerLast month I launched a new guide to completing the passport application form. The photo guidelines page is a separate document. The Passport Service is currently redesigning the passport photo guidelines to provide greater clarity as well as to reflect the diversity of Irish citizens. These will soon be available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
1168. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to support targets for the elimination of the 17,000 nuclear weapons in the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30651/15]
View answerIreland has long been a leading voice in the field of nuclear disarmament, since our introduction of the ‘Irish Resolutions’ at the UN in the late fifties which led to the negotiation of the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). I addressed the NPT Review Conference on its opening day on the 27th of April in New York this year in order to highlight Ireland’s continuing strong commitment to nuclear disarmament and met with a number of delegations on that occasion to consolidate and build support for our approach. It is a matter of great regret that, despite strenuous efforts, including by Ireland, the 2015 NPT Review Conference ended without an agreed outcome document.
Disarmament and non-proliferation remains one of Ireland’s signature foreign policies, and I intend to continue working actively for the ultimate goal of a world free from nuclear weapons. We work toward this goal with civil society groups, like minded nations, and particularly through our membership of the New Agenda Coalition (NAC), a cross-regional group of States which are committed to promoting urgent progress on nuclear disarmament.
Since the NPT was signed in 1970, Ireland has emphasised the urgent need to pursue effective measures for nuclear disarmament. The more we know about nuclear weapons, the more we understand that any detonation would be catastrophic in terms of environmental impact. More importantly, it would create a humanitarian crisis beyond the capacity of the world to respond to.
This summer marked the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and the scenes of devastation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Ireland is part of the core group leading the humanitarian drive to ensure these weapons are never used again. This drive has been given greater impetus by conferences on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons, each laying out the risks and consequences of even a limited nuclear exchange.
The ‘Humanitarian Pledge’, endorsed at the Review Conference by 159 States, including Ireland, asserts that nuclear weapons must never be used again under any circumstances and that the only way of ensuring this is through their total elimination.
Ireland’s final statement to the Review Conference recalled our commitment to nuclear disarmament and our belief that effective measures for the implementation of Article VI of the NPT are required as a matter of urgency. Ireland will now pursue this commitment at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
1169. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to amend the existing available passport options for persons over 75 years of age in order to allow them purchase and pay for three or five year passports, rather than ten year passports only; his views that it is fair to require those in receipt of a pension to purchase the ten year passport when they only wish to purchase it for a shorter period of time. [31042/15]
View answerIt is the norm internationally to provide passports of a ten year standard validity to all adults. A reduced term of validity for children’s passports is necessary as their appearance can change significantly within a short period of years, which can lead to uncertainty as to the identity of the passport holder. However this is not generally the case for adults of any age. For these reasons, there are no plans to introduce a passport of less than ten year validity for adult applicants.
1170. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views that sufficient aid and assistance are being provided to those fleeing their countries where their lives are in danger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31300/15]
View answer1172. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of State funds made available to assist refugees from the Syrian conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31478/15]
View answer1185. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he has to provide additional humanitarian aid for Syria and adjoining regions due to the huge number of refugees living in appalling conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32260/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1170, 1172 and 1185 together.
The world is facing unprecedented levels of humanitarian crisis, driven by conflict, chronic instability, and economic and environmental shocks. There are now more than 59 million people globally who have been displaced, more than at any time since the Second World War.
Ireland is firmly committed to responding to the humanitarian needs of those affected by these crises. Since 2012, the Government has contributed over €24 million in flexible funding to UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, to support its critical work in safe-guarding the rights and well-being of refugees worldwide. This is in addition to the targeted assistance Ireland provides in response to specific severe crises. So far in 2015, our humanitarian support has reached people in South Sudan, Somalia, Central African Republic, and Yemen, among other places. Ireland has a particular commitment to ‘forgotten crises’, which may not receive much media attention but where the humanitarian needs are chronic.
Our most significant humanitarian contribution in recent years has been for people affected by the appalling conflict in Syria. The ongoing war in Syria, which is now in its fifth year, has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Some 240,000 Syrians have been killed, 7.6 million are displaced within Syria, and over 4 million have had to leave the country in search of safety. Some 12.2 million people, over half of Syria’s population, are in need of humanitarian assistance.
Ireland is particularly mindful of the impact of the crisis on Syria’s immediate neighbours – Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq – which have been generous hosts to hundreds of thousands of desperate people, putting huge strain on their own resources.
We have been supporting efforts to assist refugees affected by the Syria crisis since 2012. At the “Kuwait III” Pledging Conference in March 2015, Ireland pledged €12 million in humanitarian assistance for the Syrian crisis this year. Since 2012, Ireland has provided over €37 million in support for the Syrian people both within Syria and in neighbouring countries. The fulfilment of our 2015 pledge will bring that total to €41 million by the end of this year. Ireland’s humanitarian aid is implemented by our UN, NGO and Red Cross partners, and has helped to provide food, shelter and medical care to those who need it. I am very conscious of the difficult living conditions of Syrian refugees and displaced people, and I am determined that Ireland will continue to provide appropriate humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people over the next year.
With so many humanitarian emergencies, of such size and severity, the effort to provide sufficient relief to those who need it has become an overwhelming global challenge. The World Humanitarian Summit, which the UN Secretary General has convened for May 2016 in Istanbul, will examine how the world can respond more effectively. Ireland is already playing a significant international role in preparing for this crucial Summit.
1171. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on possible military action by European states in Syria; if he will oppose this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31477/15]
View answerI refer to the answer that follows, which I gave to this House on 9 July 2015. Ireland fully supports the removal of the terrorist threat posed by the ISIS group, consistent with international law. Airstrikes have been conducted against ISIS in Iraq and Syria for a number of months. It is for individual States to determine in what way they might best contribute to the concerted international effort underway to tackle the threat posed by ISIS and other fundamentalist jihadists. I understand that the states involved in military action against ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria are acting at the request of the Iraqi government in the exercise of its inherent right to individual or collective self-defence pending action by the Security Council to restore international peace and security as recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and as notified by the US to the UN Secretary General on 23 September 2014.
1173. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on discussions he has had with representatives of other States regarding the conflicts in the Middle East and Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31479/15]
View answerSince the beginning of 2015, I have discussed conflicts in the Middle East and Africa with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council in January, February, April, May, June and July and at the Informal EU Foreign Ministers meeting in September. I also travelled to the Middle East in February, visiting Lebanon, and meeting Israeli and Palestinian politicians to discuss regional conflicts. On 26th February, I briefed the House on this visit. Conflicts in the Middle East and Africa were also discussed in the meetings I held during the visits to Ireland of the EU High Representative in January; the Chinese Government delegation in May; the United Nations Secretary General in May; the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament in June; the British Foreign Secretary in June; the Speaker of the US House of Representatives in July; and the Polish Foreign Minister in July.
I have also had numerous meetings with the Ambassadors to Ireland in which political and security concerns in the Middle East and Africa were discussed.
1175. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with specific relation to item 6, the place of origin on the identification page of standard Irish passports, if a person who was born outside of the State, but who is now a citizen of Ireland, can instead of only having just their country of origin stated in this area, also have their home town or village included in this identification area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32064/15]
View answerThere is a field on the hard data page of the Irish passport to record the place of birth of the holder. The county of birth is recorded for citizens born on the island of Ireland and the country of birth is inserted for citizens born abroad. International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations do not provide for the insertion of details of a “home town or village” on passports.
1176. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet the Polish Foreign Minister Grzegorz Schetyna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32125/15]
View answerOn 6 July I met the Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs Grzegorz Schetyna in Dublin for discussions on a range of bilateral and foreign policy issues. We meet frequently at meetings of EU Foreign Ministers, including at the monthly meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council.
1177. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to meet the Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusić; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32126/15]
View answerAlthough I have no immediate plans to meet bi-laterally with the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign and European Affairs Minister, Ms Vesna Pusi we meet frequently at meetings of EU Foreign Ministers, including at the monthly meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council.
1178. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has given any further consideration to his Government supporting full self-determination for all the people of Kurdistan, in view of ongoing attacks on and great disturbance of Kurdish populations in Syria and Iraq. [32208/15]
View answer1179. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of international protection for the people of Kurdistan; the way this issue has been addressed during the lifetime of this Government. [32209/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1178 and 1179 together.
The protection of all minorities in Syria and Iraq is central to the Government’s efforts and policies internationally on both Syria and Iraq.
Ireland has consistently pressed for effective action to protect the rights of all minorities in international fora, including the EU and UN. I highlighted this issue in my previous address to the UN General Assembly in New York. I have also raised it during my meetings with UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon.
Ireland supports the territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria and does not propose to intervene in internal constitutional matters of Iraq and Syria.
1180. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions held to date with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State regarding the present difficulties in the working of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32255/15]
View answer1181. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of discussions he has had with the five Executive Parties in Northern Ireland in relation to the serious difficulties in the workings of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32256/15]
View answer1182. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he has put forward at meetings with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State and with the Political Parties in Northern Ireland in relation to the urgent need to resolve the issues impeding the work of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32257/15]
View answer1183. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the Government's role as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, if he will outline the proposals that have been put forward to help bring an immediate end to the impasse that has arisen in the workings of the Northern Ireland Executive and the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32258/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1180 to 1183, inclusive, together.
I, together with my colleague Minister of State Sherlock, have been working closely with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the five main political parties with a view to finding a way through the current serious political impasse which is impacting on the operation of the devolved Institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.
The Government’s position is clear. As co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement our overarching priority is to ensure its full implementation and to safeguard its institutions so that they can operate effectively and deliver for the people of this island. This remains the best prospect for lasting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.
The functioning of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland is increasingly precarious. Time is running out for the critical issues to be resolved and collapse of the Executive and Assembly averted.
It was in this context that the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron called for all-party talks to be convened on Tuesday 8 September.
These talks chaired by Secretary of State Villiers and I are focusing on the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and the impact and legacy of paramilitary activity. After an initially positive start, external developments, including those relating to the ongoing investigation into the murder of Mr. Kevin McGuigan, impacted on unionist engagement with the talks.
There followed an intense few days of bilateral and trilateral meetings by both Governments with the aim of getting all parties back into inclusive substantive talks. I am pleased to say that these efforts have been successful and talks in round table format resumed on Monday 21 September.
At this stage in the process it is too early to speak about particular proposals which the Government might make. Our focus for the coming weeks will be to support and assist the parties as they urgently get down to the serious business of fully implementing the Stormont House Agreement and addressing the impact and legacy of continuing paramilitary activity.
An agreed outcome on these issues would be an important step forward - not just for politics on this island - but for the further normalisation of society in Northern Ireland and I appreciate the Deputy’s continuing support in working to achieve this.
1184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he has put forward at recent meetings of the EU Foreign Affairs Councils in relation to the urgent need to assist refugees fleeing Syria and the adjoining regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32259/15]
View answerThe plight of refugees fleeing conflict and upheaval in the EU’s southern and eastern neighbourhoods is of deep concern to us all, and one demanding a comprehensive and co-ordinated response from the EU. Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Ministers have primary responsibility for matters related to immigration/asylum and refugees, into and within the EU. In April this year, the Foreign Affairs’ Council and the Justice and Home Affairs Council met in joint session to discuss the situation facing migrants, particularly those trying to cross the Mediterranean. Ministers confirmed a strong commitment to act so as to prevent further tragedies. The June Foreign Affairs Council followed up with the launch of EUNAVFOR Med, the EU's naval operation to disrupt people smuggling in the Mediterranean. As the Deputy will know, the crews of the LE Niamh and LE Eithne have done sterling work in saving many lives.
In recent weeks the focus has shifted to the deepening crisis in southeast Europe, and the Government recently decided accept up to 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees as part of the European Commission's comprehensive plan to address the migration crisis.
EU Justice Ministers will meet again on Tuesday 22 September to advance consideration of the EU’s response and a Special meeting of the European Council has been arranged for Wednesday 23 September.
Ireland has been supporting efforts to assist refugees affected by the Syria crisis since 2012. Since 2012, Ireland has provided over €37 million in support for the Syrian people both within Syria and in neighbouring countries. The fulfilment of our 2015 pledge of €12 million, made at the ‘Kuwait III’ pledging conference in March 2015, will bring that total to €41 million by the end of this year.
Ireland has been supporting efforts to assist those affected by the Syria crisis since the crisis there began in 2011. By the end of 2015, over €41 million will have been granted to organisations helping those affected by this conflict.
1186. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he will put forward at the next meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the current refugee crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32261/15]
View answerThe plight of refugees fleeing conflict and upheaval in the EU’s southern and eastern neighbourhoods is of deep concern, and one demanding a comprehensive and co-ordinated response from the EU. Within the EU, Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Ministers have primary responsibility for matters related to immigration\asylum and refugees. The agenda for the next Foreign Affairs Council has yet to be finalised. Moreover, the situation is evolving rapidly, and there are to be special meetings of both the Justice and Home Affairs Council and the Heads of State and Government today and tomorrow, respectively, to discuss the issues involved. If migration is on the agenda, the Deputy can be assured that, for my part, I will actively participate in discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, underlining the urgent need for the EU to do all it can to address the migration crisis in as comprehensive a manner as possible, as well as examining what more can be done to address its root causes. Over recent months I and the other Foreign Ministers on the Foreign Affairs Council have intensified our efforts to address the root causes of migration flows, including poverty and conflict.
1187. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of internal audit across his Department; internal audit's relationship with external auditors and audit committees, as well as internal audit's adherence to professional standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32552/15]
View answerAs is the practice in all Government Departments, my Department has in place an internal audit function which reports directly to the Secretary General. The function is staffed with appropriately qualified personnel and adheres to the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing. The internal audit work plan is approved by the Secretary General and is also overseen by the Department’s independent Audit Committee. The Head of Internal Audit attends all meetings of the Audit Committee. In line with good practice and international auditing standards, internal audit approaches and work programmes within my Department are continuously reviewed and updated as the risk environment evolves.
In common with all other Government Departments, the annual appropriation accounts of my Department are audited and reported on by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Internal audit provide all their reports to the Comptroller and Auditor General during their annual audit, and internal audit staff also regularly meet with the Office.
1188. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the annual cost to his Department of fees paid to private for-profit companies to provide services, such as consultancy work, recruitment services and other outsourced services, for example cleaning, catering and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32715/15]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is responsible for two Votes, Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Co-operation). It has not been possible to compile the requested information in the time available. I have asked my officials to provide the requested information directly to the Deputy as soon as it is collated.
1189. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the annual cost to his Department of fees paid to private for-profit companies to provide public services, for example, waste collection, motorway toll operators, public transport such as Veolia-Luas and private bus companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32722/15]
View answerMy Department does not pay fees or subventions to private for-profit companies to provide public services.
1190. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views regarding the applications made by third parties on behalf of persons seeking to access the Caranua Scheme, where there is an accusation of fraud; the fraud prevention measures in place to ensure that the documents are signed by the actual persons seeking access to the Scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30429/15]
View answerCaranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 to oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors of institutional child abuse.
Section 3 of the 2012 Act allows for a former resident to nominate a person to submit an application on his or her behalf. Applicants who wish to avail of this facility fill in and sign a 'Nominated Person' form and I understand that it is Caranua's practice to speak with the applicant directly before interacting with the 'Nominated Person'. Of the 3,423 applications received to-date by Caranua, 172 applicants (5%) are using a Nominated Person.
I am advised that Caranua is aware of the potential for fraud in relation to the Nominated Persons facility and other aspects of its application process, and that it has in place appropriate operating procedures in relation to the administration of applications.
If the Deputy is aware of suspected fraudulent activity, I would ask him to contact Caranua directly so that the organisation can investigate this matter and take appropriate action.
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.
1192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to review the tender system which provides State-sponsored bus services an advantage over local, private operators (details supplied); her views that the position is damaging local industry, undercutting the business of private operators and causing a monopoly in the transport market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30737/15]
View answer1257. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding Bus Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31235/15]
View answer1258. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the tendering process for school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31236/15]
View answer1259. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason vehicles that have already been legally passed through the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing system have to be further checked through Bus Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31237/15]
View answer1260. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding school transport vehicles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31238/15]
View answer1261. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the tendering process for school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31239/15]
View answer1262. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost to Bus Éireann of the recently purchased school buses; the source of this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31240/15]
View answer1263. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position in relation to regional tendering for school transport; her views that there is no uniformity in this tendering process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31241/15]
View answer1264. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding school transport operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31243/15]
View answer1265. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the sustainability of private operators undertaking school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31244/15]
View answer1266. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding tender prices and tender routes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31245/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1192 and 1257 to 1266, inclusive, together.
Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department. The cost of the scheme was some €172 million in 2014 which included grant payments, payments for escorts to accompany children with special educational needs as well as the cost of direct school transport services. In 2014 a total of €4.3 million in savings was achieved in the reorganisation of services. However, in the same year 274 new services and 561 other service enhancements were approved by my Department - which added €8 million to the cost of the scheme over a full year. Most of the new services were introduced to cater for children with special educational needs.
The Deputy will be aware that Bus Éireann is responsible for the procurement of contractors to provide transport services under the School Transport Scheme.
In this regard, Bus Éireann has advised that the tendering procedure used by the Company for the provision of school transport services is a competitive procurement process conducted in accordance with the negotiated procedure under Directive 2004/17/EC. Tenders are evaluated on the basis of the award criteria and scoring tables. Bus Éireann is satisfied that the current / Price / Quality ratio of 60% / 40% is appropriate for the school transport tender process. Due to the nature, volume and complexities of the School Transport Scheme, there is a requirement to establish panels of suitably pre-qualified potential service providers in each School Transport local office so that they may be invited to tender for the provision of services on School Transport Scheme routes in an efficient and effective manner. Five year contracts are awarded, providing additional security to contractors where previously contracts terminated at the end of each school year. Qualification to each Panel each year is also for a 5 year period where heretofore it was for 1 year. Each office follows the procedures set out by Bus Éireann’s Procurement Department in the conduct of the tendering arrangements nationally.
Almost 90% of the vehicles used to deliver school transport services are provided by private operators under contract to Bus Éireann, which consist predominantly of smaller vehicles - and includes over 800 taxis. Bus Éireann uses large capacity school buses found mainly on services to primary and post primary schools. The Bus Éireann school bus fleet is also used as a safety net to maintain full service coverage and to provide a strategic balance between public and privately owned services on behalf of the State.
The Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme, conducted by an Inter-Departmental Committee and published in 2011, recommended that Bus Éireann should continue to be the national organiser of the scheme and concluded that “no existing organisation is operating in Ireland with the range of expertise in place, other than Bus Éireann.”
All Bus Éireann buses and those owned by operators contracted by Bus Éireann are required to have a valid annual roadworthiness test certificate in order to be used to provide school transport services. The inspections conducted by Freight Transport Association on behalf of the Company complement the annual statutory vehicle examinations as an additional measure designed to ensure that vehicles and maintenance records are maintained to appropriate standards, consistent with RSA guidelines, in the period between annual statutory tests taking place. These vehicle inspections assess vehicle condition, safety, and maintenance standards of both Bus Éireann buses and buses owned by private operators employed as Contractors to provide services under the School Transport Scheme.
Bus Éireann school transport vehicles are generally maintained within a 20 year age limit and the Company is in the process of procuring an additional 20 school buses for delivery in 2016.
