Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has undertaken a cost benefit analysis of the school transport scheme operated by Bus Éireann; if he will account for the high cost of operating the scheme compared to school transport systems in other jurisdictions; if he will confirm if Bus Éireann makes a profit from the scheme; if he will provide the latest accounts provided to him by Bus Éireann; if he is concerned about market distortion by the overwhelming presence of Bus Éireann in the school transport market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47024/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

School Transport was the subject of a Value for Money Review carried out as part of the 2009-2011 round of Value for Money Reviews. This review, which is available on my Department's website, looked in detail at the various cost factors impacting on the provision of school transport including the scale of provision for children with special educational needs, levels of parental choice and the eligibility criteria underpinning the scheme. Given the variability in these factors comparisons with other jurisdictions are difficult.

Bus Éireann has confirmed that it does not make a profit on school transport. Bus Éireann maintains a separate account for the School Transport Scheme which is audited each year by independent auditors. The 2012 accounts are available on my Department's website.

While Bus Éireann is responsible for the negotiation and awarding of school transport contracts to private operators, school transport services are operated by a mix of public and private operators. The network is reviewed on an ongoing basis ensuring that these services continue to be provided in a most economic and effective manner. Some 86% of the vehicles used to provide services under the school transport scheme, equivalent to over 3,300 vehicles, are provided by private operators under contract to Bus Éireann.