Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1243: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take in relation to the concerns expressed by PAMBO that the level of remuneration to private school bus contractors is not consistent with the level of safety required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28503/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann operates the school transport services on behalf of my Department and contracts are agreed annually between Bus Éireann and individual contractors. The contractors provide the school bus services on behalf of Bus Éireann.

A contract agreement obliges individual contractors to meet all statutory requirements in relation to public service vehicles, and additional criteria as specified by Bus Éireann. There is a provision for contractors to withdraw from the agreement in the event that they no longer wish to fulfil the conditions of the contract, in which case Bus Éireann will arrange to provide an alternative that meets the necessary statutory requirements.

It would be misleading to imply that rates agreed in contract agreements between Bus Éireann and individual contractors might not be consistent with the level of maintenance required for the safe operation of vehicles, some of which are used for other commercial activities, outside of school bus runs.