Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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231. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a bus service (details supplied) was last put out to tender; the duration of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35070/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.

In the current school year over 173,000 children – including 13,400 pupils with special educational needs - are transported daily in approximately 8,200 vehicles across 10,600 routes to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

As Bus Éireann manages the operation of the school transport scheme this includes the procurement tender process to include services provided by contractors under the scheme. This is a competitive procurement process conducted in accordance with the negotiated procedure under national and EU procurement legislation.

Bus Éireann are reviewing all new and existing applications for the 2025/2026 school year and will arrange transport in the coming weeks where responses allow.

The service, that the Deputy refers to, did not operate for the 2024/2025 school year due to procurement issues. Bus Éireann will continue to try and source a contractor to operate the service if one is required following the review of services for the 2025/2026 school year.