Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegation for its presentation. I have three questions on school transport. During the course of his presentation, Mr. Nolan was keen to stress that Bus Éireann does not have a contract in respect of the provision of school transport. Will he explain the relationship with the Department of Education and Skills? Is there an annual service agreement each year? I am conscious the issue is before the courts, so he may be restricted in what he can say. He also mentioned that he engages with 1,400 local private operators that operate the school bus transport service. Is that not evidence that private operators can step into the breach, especially in rural areas and provide services to rural dwellers? Deputy Fleming referred to the fact that 85% of the vehicles providing school transport are privately operated. Are isolated sets of accounts prepared for each of the entities that Bus Éireann operates? In respect of school transport, is an annual account for the provision of school transport prepared and will Mr. Nolan share some of the details, particularly the profitability, if a profit does arise?