Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1093. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will review tendering for school bus routes in wake of the outcome of an investigation (details supplied); the action being taken to ensure fair tendering in related routes in which concerns have been previously flagged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20794/21]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
Bus Éireann plans and manages the countrywide network on behalf of the Department to ensure that services are provided in line with the specific requirements of the Department. Bus Éireann is obliged to tender all works, goods and services to be provided by external suppliers in line with national and EU procurement legislation and this includes services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. In fulfilling its mandate, and included in the functions discharged by Bus Éireann and its network of regional offices, Bus Éireann is responsible for contracting private operators in line with procurement legislation.
Bus Éireann carries out tender competitions on a regular basis for the award of contracts for the provision of school transport services under the School Transport Scheme in accordance with procurement legislation. The operator concerned has been awarded contracts for the provision of school transport services pursuant to such tender competitions.
