Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2013
103. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason maintenance charges for buses in the school bus fleet owned by Bus Éireann are over five times higher than similar charges for maintenance in Northern Ireland; his views on whether his Department is being overcharged for maintenance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41581/13]
View answerSafety is Bus Éireann's highest priority and this is reflected in the company's vehicle maintenance process and procedures. The report of the School Transport Value for the Money Review noted, for example, that random checks of maintenance standards and audits of maintenance records including contractors' school buses and their maintenance premises, conducted on behalf of Bus Éireann by internationally recognised experts in the field of vehicle maintenance systems and safety standards, are at a higher standard than usual tests.
This investment in best practice vehicle maintenance improves the standards of all vehicles that are used to provide services under the School Transport Scheme nationally, and not only those operated directly by Bus Éireann. In addition Bus Éireann conducts thorough six-weekly preventative maintenance checks incorporating stringent safety inspections on all of its school transport vehicles, as well as other measures that are in addition to and designed to further enhance statutory vehicle safety standard requirements. This investment in best practice maintenance systems is reflected in the costs.
