Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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223. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding school transport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43467/19]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department.  In the 2018/2019 school year over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €200m in 2018.

The 1975 Summary of Accounting Arrangements form the basis of the payment to Bus Éireann for the operation of the School Transport Scheme.  In this regard, the Department reimburses Bus Éireann for a range of costs incurred in the operation and administration of the scheme.Such reimbursement to Bus Éireann is on a cost recovery basis.

The Bus Éireann audited accounts are available on my Department's website.