Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
188. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will publish the statement of account for school transport expenditure for the past number of years (details supplied) and if she will make these statements accessible again; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70496/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. Re-imbursement to Bus Éireann is on a cost recovery basis.
The school transport scheme is a demand-led service based on the number of eligible children who apply to avail of transport. My Department works with Bus Éireann to review costs to the scheme on an on-going basis, while each year the company produces an audited statement of account. This ensures that the financial information provided by Bus Éireann is in accordance with the relevant summary of accounting arrangements.
Bus Éireann’s accounts are reviewed by independent auditors as part of its annual audit process. Bus Éireann’s School Transport scheme annual costs are set out in the Annual Statement of Account. This Statement of Account is independently audited by the Bus Éireann auditors in accordance with the 1975 Summary of Accounting Arrangements and this report is submitted to my Department on an annual basis.
Bus Éireann Annual Reports are available on their website at buseireann.ie
