Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately this is not a school transport service for which I have any role or relationship with Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann only run the services we have agreed with it, based on national criteria. This is one that would not fall into my area. I understand that Bus Éireann has done a lot of restructuring of its services in Galway and has succeeded in building up the patronage by 50% through restructuring and better routes and services and so on. Bus Éireann is an independent body. It has public subvention but it must deploy the subvention as best it can within Galway. Unfortunately it is for the Senator to speak to Bus Éireann locally to see what the context is for its decision and if there are alternative services on offer that would service these schools. I must stick to the national scheme which we apply equitably to every school that applies to the Department for a service on the basis of the criteria I have outlined. I have nothing in my tool box that would resolve this one I am afraid.