Vol. 456 No. 1
141 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education the action, if any, she proposes to take regarding overloading on school buses; and if she will make a statement outlining her views on the maximum number which should be placed on a 40-seater bus and on a 25-seater bus. [13394/95]
The maximum loading on school buses is calculated on the basis of three school children to every two adult seats in accordance with legislation as laid down by the Department of the Environment. Accordingly, the legal carrying capacities of 40 seater and 25 seater buses are 60 and 37 respectively.
Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, ensures that the loadings do not exceed the maximum legal carrying capacity of the different bus types in use.
I am satisfied that overloading on school buses is not a problem, and therefore I do not propose to take any action in the matter.
