Vol. 518 No. 4
34 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to introduce guidelines to protect children being carried on private buses operating outside of the official school transport system in view of the issues highlighted in a recent court case in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11733/00]
I am aware of the court case regarding a private school bus service referred to by the Deputy.
My Department and Bus Éireann, who operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department, place special emphasis on safety and have a wide range of checking procedures in place to ensure a safe and reliable service. This includes ensuring that there is full compliance with all relevant regulations as laid down by the Department of the Environment and Local Government.
It is my intention that guidelines will issue advising schools of the checking procedures in place regarding the school transport scheme and which they may wish to apply when hiring buses outside of the scheme.
