Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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1163. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has consulted the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform regarding potential proposals to provide financial assistance to Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12786/17]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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1171. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if proposals to provide financial assistance to Bus Éireann have been provided to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; if he has consulted the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12785/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1163 and 1171 together.

The Deputy is aware that Bus Éireann receives extensive financial support each year from the Exchequer in relation to the PSO bus services it provides under contract with the National Transport Authority and the school transport services provided under an administrative agreement with the Minister for Education and Skills. Additionally the Company also receives funding, through its parent company CIÉ, from the Department of Social Protection in relation to the Free Travel Scheme.

Except for those long established supports described above, no proposals have been made to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to providing financial assistance nor have I consulted the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on any such proposals.