asked the Minister for Education if CIE will continue to employ indefinitely the private buses, mini buses and cars now employed on the post-primary school transport scheme; if these private vehicles will be dispensed with as buses become available within the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter for the guidance of private owners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport Scheme.
11.
Córas Iompair Éireann have assured me that it will continue to utilise the privately-owned vehicles which it at present employs on the post-primary school transport scheme as long as such vehicles and the services provided remain up to the standard required and where it is in the interests of economic operation to do so.
The vehicles becoming available within the CIE organisation as a result of the school bus building programme authorised by the Government will be utilised to extend the free transport scheme to all post-primary school centres by February next. They will also be used to replace buses of the CIE summer season fleet which have been used temporarily on school services, as well as buses obtained on loan from Ulster Bus Ltd.
Does the Minister consider that buses which have been scrapped by CIE and which have not been repaired in the meantime should be used as school buses while CIE have other buses not in use?
I am sorry but I do not follow the Deputy's question.
Does the Minister consider that buses which were scrapped by CIE a few years ago and which were taken back into commission again and are being used as school buses without any major repair are suitable as school busses?
This is a matter, first of all, for CIE but the Deputy will be aware, from his knowledge of the matter and from what I have just said, that arrangements for the school transport scheme are not yet finally completed, that is, the permanent arrangement. As I mentioned earlier, new buses are being built for CIE and when they are available, we will have the scheme on a permanent basis. At the present the important thing is to provide the transport.
I do not want the Minister to get the impression that I am criticising the scheme. I know it has been a great effort to bring it about but there are buses being used which are entirely unsuitable. The extraordinary thing is that very often they travel along the road with an empty CIE bus travelling along behind. Surely there should be some co-ordination? I know it is not entirely the Minister's job.
It is a matter for CIE.