Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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330. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to restore part-time positions to the school bus network (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45311/18]

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

In the 2017/18 school year over 117,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, were 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 has advised that there are currently 347 part-time school bus drivers operating school transport services nationally.

In the event of circumstances arising such as those referred to by the Deputy, Bus Éireann local offices will arrange replacement cover to ensure there is no disruption to services bringing children to and from school.

Inability to provide such cover may only arise where insufficient notice is given to secure an alternative resource.