Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 1

Written Answers - School Transport.

Seán Crowe

Question:

347 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the serious implications for children travelling to school on organised buses which in many cases have no safety belts; and if he has immediate plans to review the current guidelines. [7276/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Legislation regarding the fitting and use of seat belts in public vehicles is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. Under existing regulations seat belts are not compulsory on school buses. In operating the school transport scheme, Bus Éireann is fully compliant with all relevant regulations as laid down by that Department. Contractors' large vehicles, when tested by the Garda authorities to obtain the licence to operate school bus and other public services, are not required to have seat belts installed to get the PSV licence.

The safety aspects of school transport, including the question of the provision of seat belts is being examined by the school transport section of my Department together with Bus Éireann and the Department of the Environment and Local Government. In line with the commitment, "The Road to Safety"– The Government Strategy for Road Safety, 1998-2002, a consultation paper that set out a wide range of options for enhancing school bus safety was published by the Department of the Environment and Local Government last year. Following an extended consultation period, a large number of responses were received. These are being reviewed with a view to identifying a range of specific proposals for implementation.