Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received correspondence from an organisation representing bus and coach operators (details supplied) in which concerns have been expressed regarding the current procurement process employed by Bus Éireann for contracts relating to the school transport scheme; if he is considering the establishment of an oversight and appeals body to oversee the tendering process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38851/15]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, is obliged to tender all works, goods and services in line with the European Directives on public procurement and this includes school transport services performed by contractors under the School Transport Scheme, which Bus Éireann operates on behalf of my Department.

In relation to the current procurement arrangements for the operation of the school bus services raised in the submission made to Oireachtas members by an organisation representing bus and coach operators Bus Éireann has advised as follows:

The Bus Eireann tender processes for school transport services are conducted in a transparent manner which is in accordance with applicable law, including public procurement requirements, and facilitates equality of treatment. School transport contractors who are selected for re-tendering are notified that the contracts are being tendered in line with Government policy where expenditure of public funds is concerned. They are subsequently provided with the full suite of tender documents clearly outlining the process, the procedure, and the selection and award criteria for contract award. The tendering process facilitates openness, transparency and allows freedom of access for all interested parties.

All of the contractors procured are required to satisfy the statutory obligations that pertain to each licensed transport operator in the State. This includes an obligation to keep and provide evidence that all statutory vehicle, driver and company certificates and licences are kept current and in order. Nominated drivers are obliged to satisfy medical examination, must be licensed to drive the size of vehicle used, and are subject to vetting procedures arranged by Bus Éireann and conducted by the Garda Central Vetting Unit.

Contractors who are successful in the competition for existing work that is opened to tender are awarded a five-year contract which provides security for the duration of the contract to the contractor, provided of course that obligations continue to be satisfied, as well as stability in terms of familiarity with transport arrangements for the families, schools, and children concerned.

It is a matter for each tenderer to decide what price they wish to quote for the work concerned taking into consideration their operating costs over the course of the contract period, and in common with every citizen of the State a tenderer is entitled to seek redress through the Courts in the event that they wish to appeal a procurement decision. It is not my intention to establish an oversight/appeals body to oversee the tendering process.