Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

There is a social aspect that probably requires a State subsidy from a road safety perspective. Will the Minister consider clustering services, whether they are for the HSE, school transport or some other rural transport service provision? Will he allow the private sector to compete for the business through an outsourcing tendering process so as to encourage people to come forward with cost-effective solutions for a cluster of problems within counties or regions? Bus Éireann will be part of that competitive process but there are plenty of private operators, some of which are operating under contract to Bus Éireann now, which would love to have the opportunity to tender for this business if given the opportunity.

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