The details of the overall number of buses involved in the school transport scheme, their age profile and the number of accidents that occurred in the years 1997 to 2000 are being assembled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Bus Éireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department. All school transport vehicles are required to meet the statutory regulations as laid down by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. Where vehicles have over eight adult seats and are more than one year old, they are required to pass that Department'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 this test are used in school transport operations.
Contractors employed by Bus Éireann to provide services under the school transport scheme must satisfy strict criteria and must hold a road passenger operator's licence. Vehicles nominated for use under the scheme must be suitable for the conveyance of school children and must have complete and current documentation in respect of both buses and drivers as required by law. The vehicles have to be kept and maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition and to comply in all respects with the Road Traffic Acts.
Personnel from my Department do not inspect school buses. I understand that inspectors from the Department of the Environment and Local Government carry out spot checks. Contractor's vehicles are also subject to inspection-testing by Bus Éireann inspectors from time to time to ensure the safety of pupils travelling on buses.
My Department and Bus Éireann, who operate the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, consider safety on school buses to be of paramount importance. However, with such a large operation as the school transport 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.
