Skip to main content
Normal View

School Transport.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2006

Tuesday, 4 July 2006

Questions (112)

Denis Naughten

Question:

121 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans to improve school bus safety; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25554/06]

View answer

Written answers

The safety of children travelling on the school transport service has been top of my agenda since coming into office. I have effected a range of measures to improve the quality and safety of school transport services both in the vicinity of, and on, school buses. In January, 2005, I launched a Warning Flashing Light Project on 22 buses in Ennis, Co Clare and I am currently examining proposals to extend the project into other areas. In July, 2005, Minister Hanafin and myself announced a package of measures to enhance the safety of school transport operations. The measures included:

The phasing out of "3 for 2" seating on post-primary services by end December, 2005;

The phasing out of "3 for 2" seating on primary services by end December, 2006;

The acquisition of additional buses by Bus Éireann and the hiring in of additional private vehicles to meet the consequential capacity shortfall; and

The immediate fitting of seat belts on the Bus Éireann school bus fleet and setting a target date of December, 2006 for private buses in the scheme to be fitted with approved seat belts.

At this stage, Bus Éireann has advised that post-primary school transport services operating under the scheme are on a one-seat-for-one basis. A programme for creating additional capacity by enabling Bus Éireann to acquire new and modern second-hand buses, and by hiring in additional vehicles from private contractors, is well advanced. As a consequence, it is expected that primary school services will be operating on a one-for-one basis by the target date of the end of December.

Bus Éireann has commenced retrofitting seat belts on its own school bus fleet and work is progressing well. Progress will be accelerated over the summer holidays with a view to completion by September. Many vehicles in the private contractors' fleet are already fitted with seat belts and discussions have commenced with the organisations representing contractors regarding the retrofitting of their vehicles.

To ensure ongoing safety and roadworthiness, my colleague, the Minister for Transport, has requested an independent review to be carried out within Bus Éireann of the arrangements and systems in place for the management, operation and maintenance of the fleet, both owned and contracted by Bus Éireann. I understand that Minister Cullen has requested that the review be completed as soon as possible and that a copy of the report be forwarded to him as soon as it is available.

Separately, the Minister for Transport has requested the Chief Executive designate of the proposed Road Safety Authority to undertake a fundamental review of the arrangements for the compulsory periodic roadworthiness testing of goods vehicles and buses. As part of that review, the matter of Bus Éireann undertaking such roadworthiness tests on their own vehicles will be examined.

Officials of my Department will liaise with the Department of Transport regarding the outcome of the review.

Top
Share