Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the privatising of bus routes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21628/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

Currently over 116,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.

Bus Éireann is obliged to tender all works, goods and services in line with the European Directives on public procurement, which includes school transport services performed by contractors under the School Transport Scheme.

In this regard, Bus Éireann has advised that the school transport service referred to by the Deputy is currently out to tender.

Bus Éireann has also confirmed that the scheduled public bus services referred to will continue to operate as per the scheduled timetable