School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2016

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Ceisteanna (200, 204)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

200. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to a parliamentary reply in which the Bus Éireann auditors stated "the statement of account has been 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", his views on whether Bus Éireann's methodology of charging for maintenance charges is in accordance with the 1975 agreement. [11802/16]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

204. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to page 99 of the Farrell Grant Sparks report of 2009 which states with regard to Bus Éireann charges for maintenance of school buses that the apportionment basis is calculated on the ratio of the school bus fleet to total bus fleet, if this means that this is a different method of charging from the summary of accounting arrangements relating to the transport scheme for primary and post-primary school children, dated 1 January 1975, which provides for charges based on mileage; and the year from which the apportionment basis based on the ratio of buses came into effect. [11884/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 204 together.

The comment referred to by the Deputy on page 99 of the Farrell Grant Sparks Report (2009) is contained in a section entitled "Commentary of Associated Maintenance Staff Number", discussing the apportionment basis for maintenance staff numbers between the Road Passenger and School Transport fleet.

I am satisfied with the finding of the independent external auditors 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, and includes maintenance charges.