Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016
688. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the pay of drivers in Bus Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5752/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Éireann has advised that in 2014 four hundred and twenty four part-time School Bus Drivers were employed.
The hourly rates of pay for Bus Éireann Part-time School Bus Drivers, applicable from July 2008, were as follows:
|
New Entrants |
€13.13 per hour |
|
After 1 Year |
€13.66 per hour |
|
After 4 Years |
€14.19 per hour |
|
After 6 or more Years |
€14.71 per hour |
|
After 8 or more years |
€15.23 |
|
Effective from 1st January, 2009 |
The average weekly hours during the school year in 2014 were 31.13 hours. The average weekly pay was €474. The only items which make up driver costs on the School Transport Statement of Account are the cost of drivers carrying out school transport work, payments made to Bus Éireann Part-time School Bus Drivers upon retirement and illness benefit. The School Transport Account is only charged for school transport work carried out by the drivers.
The annual statement of account prepared by Bus Éireann includes an audit opinion provided by Bus Éireann's external auditors. For 2014 and prior years the opinion states that the financial information of Bus Éireann's School Transport Scheme is prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the Summary of Accounting Arrangements relating to the Transport Scheme for Primary and Post-Primary School Children dated 1 January 1975.
In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation of a School Bus Statement of Account in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the School Bus Statement of Account.
The auditors have stated that they believe that the audit evidence they have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for their audit opinion.
