Jim Higgins
Question:11 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself on the safety and road worthiness of school buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7055/00]
Other Questions. - School Transport.
Jim Higgins
Question:76 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has satisfied himself that adequate vehicle testing is in place for school buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7056/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 76 together.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that in relation to the school transport scheme the safety of pupils is of primary consideration and takes precedence over all other aspects of the operation. The safety standard of vehicles used for the scheme is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann, who operate the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department. Bus Éireann has a very good safety record in the operation of school transport and an ongoing commitment to highlight safety in this regard. The age profile and quality of vehicle of the Bus Éireann school bus fleet is being significantly improved due to the ongoing programme of fleet replacement.
Bus Éireann vehicles are serviced every six weeks under specified maintenance procedures to ensure the highest safety standards are achieved. Any faults coming to the notice of Bus Éireann's maintenance staff are dealt with immediately. A large proportion of the existing Bus Éireann's bus fleet was refurbished during the summer of 1999.
All vehicles operating under the scheme are required to meet the statutory regulations as laid down by the Department of the Environment and Local Government and are subject to a road worthiness test. Where vehicles have over eight adult seats and are more than one year old, they are required to pass that Department's annual road worthiness test. All school transport vehicles are also subject to regular inspection by Bus Éireann inspectors to ensure their reliability is maintained throughout the year. I am satisfied that there are adequate checks in place to ensure the safety of the vehicles used to provide the school transport scheme.
(Mayo): I do not know who wrote that reply for the Minister but it is totally inaccurate. Has the Minister ever stood inside a school bus? Does he realise that most of the vehicles in use in rural Ireland are clapped out buses from Bus Éireann's commercial fleet, that a considerable number of them are 25 year old imports from Singapore, that in many of them diesel is leaking from the engine and water through the roof, that there are air extractors instead of heating which makes them prone to condensation, that many of them have no speedometers, that the engine is located beside the driver and is more like a jet turbine which makes it impossible for the driver to hear what is happening at the back of the bus, and that we will shortly be confronted with school bus driver deafness claims? How can he defend a situation where buses are constantly breaking down? Last week, for example, two people had to transport replacement batteries daily by Land Rover from Ballina to Claremorris. Why does the Minister not face reality—
Supplementaries are confined to one minute. The Deputy has exceeded one minute.
(Mayo): Is the Minister prepared to accept that the school bus fleet should be subject to an independent roadworthiness test—
The Deputy has far exceeded one minute.
(Mayo): —rather than a test conducted by Bus Éireann staff?
I appeal to Members to comply with the rules governing questions.
All vehicles are required to meet the statutory regulations as laid down by the Department of the Environment and Local Government, subject to a roadworthiness test and, where appropriate, an annual Department of the Environment and Local Government roadworthiness test. All vehicles nominated under the scheme must be suitable for the conveyance of children and have the documentation required by law. It is my information that Bus Éireann vehicles are serviced every six weeks. If the Deputy is aware of particular cases where this is not happening the Minister of State with responsibility for the scheme will have them looked into. Bus Éireann's policy of continuous fleet replacement will facilitate the improvement of the quality of the vehicles used in the operation of the school transport scheme and provide a better standard of service for pupils availing of school transport.
(Mayo): How many school buses are there in the fleet and how many new replacement buses, as opposed to clapped out vehicles from the commercial fleet, came on stream last year? What is the situation on school buses over 25 years old? Does the Minister realise just how bad the situation is? Many of the vehicles in use in rural Ireland are not fit for carrying livestock, let alone children.
There are approximately 2,500 school buses in the fleet while a total of 154,000 pupils availed of the service in 1999. To ensure safety all vehicles are subject to the roadworthiness tests mentioned. If the Deputy is aware of particular cases where vehicles are defective in some way I will have them investigated.
(Mayo): The Minister informed us of the number of school buses in the fleet and the number of children who avail of the service daily. How many new replacement buses came on stream in 1998 and 1999 to replace vehicles declared unroadworthy? Will the Minister subject the fleet to an independent evaluation such as the NCT test rather than a test conducted by Bus Éireann which may be considered subjective?
As the Deputy did not seek that information he will have to table a further question. Alternatively, I can forward the information to him by letter. I do not have the figures sought. I outlined the policy on fleet replacement. The questions relate to safety and roadworthiness and vehicle testing.