The precise details of the cause of the unfortunate accident in County Galway on Monday, 22 January are not yet available. Bus Éireann and the Garda Síochána have undertaken separate investigations into the accident. My Department will give careful consideration to the findings of the investigations as soon as the reports are to hand.
My Department and Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, consider safety on school buses to be of paramount importance. Bus Éireann has a very good safety record and has clearly shown its commitment to safety over the years, through its promotion of high profile safety campaigns including, in 1998-99, a nationwide competition to find a team of students to act as a video production team to make a video about safety in travelling to and from school by bus.
With such a large operation as the school trans port scheme, there is a need to be ever vigilant with regard to safety. As I announced recently, I have asked my Department in co-operation with Bus Éireann to review safety procedures on school buses. This review will examine in detail current safety procedures and all areas where improvements can be put in place to ensure a safer service for our children. I have requested that the examination be given priority status and completed within three months.
All school buses operating in the Bus Éireann school bus fleet are subject to the Department of the Environment and Local Government's annual roadworthiness test. This test is carried out as directed by the Department of the Environment and Local Government in test centres authorised by that Department. Only buses that have passed that test are used in school transport operations.
Smoke emissions from Bus Éireann school transport buses are tested as part of the annual roadworthiness test, and are subject to the standards laid down by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. To exceed the required smoke meter reading is regarded as a reason for failure, and such vehicles must be rectified before being resubmitted for testing. Bus Éireann vehicles have to meet the same requirements as those provided by private contractors.