School Transport Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2016

Tuesday, 26 April 2016

Questions (405, 406)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

405. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 551 and 552 of 15 December 2015, if she will confirm the first time Bus Éireann informed her Department that it made no profit from school transport services for a particular financial year, and the dates for each year thereafter that it stated it made no profit from school transport since 2005; the date that her Department made any decisions in respect of procurement of school transport services, based on the fact that Bus Éireann stated in writing that it made no profit from school transport; and the meaning of the word "profit" outlined in her reply. [8410/16]

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

406. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Education and Skills if surplus revenue received by Bus Éireann for providing the school transport services was accounted for in the Bus Éireann Annual Report and Financial Statements; if it was stated or co-mingled with other information, as a net surplus or deficit and-or profit; if these sums form part of any surplus taken into account in the calculations for the annual balance sheet, and if so, for which years since 1997. [8411/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together.

Bus Éireann has provided assurances to the Department that the Company does not make a profit on school transport and that any surplus that may arise in the operation of school transport services in any one year is ring-fenced exclusively for reinvestment in the school transport scheme.

The Department is satisfied that the financial accounting for Bus Éireann's operation of the School Transport Scheme, including the Bus Éireann Annual Report and the annual independently audited account of the school transport scheme is in full compliance with the 1975 Summary of Accounting Arrangements and with all relevant accounting standards and guidelines.