Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

The school transport system is organised on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills by Bus Éireann. There is significant private sector engagement in the delivery of services with 85%, or approximately 3,300 of the vehicles used, owned by private operators. Moreover, this percentage will increase over time.

The system was reviewed in a value for money review that was published earlier this year. In this context, options were considered, including options that would not involve school transport being centrally organised. However, the report concluded that, particularly in the context of the complexities of deciding on eligibility for, procuring and developing networks for, school transport, a single national organiser with a regional dimension to operate the scheme is required. I do not believe a school transport system could operate effectively were those administrative burdens to be imposed on individual schools.

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