Vol. 511 No. 6
406 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the situation in relation to the refusal of up to 20 schools to recruit escorts to ensure the safe transport of children with special needs on school buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25383/99]
413 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on the refusal of up to 20 schools to recruit escorts needed to ensure the safe transport of children with special needs on school buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25390/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 413 together.
Since my appointment as Minister for Education and Science, I have been faced with requests that funding be made available for the appointment of escorts on special school transport services. From the outset, I have accepted the valid concerns expressed by parents and schools at the dangers to which special needs children can be exposed when travelling unaccompanied on these services.
In an effort to address this issue, I secured an allocation of £3.4 million to fund the extension of the escort scheme to all 585 special transport routes in the country. This allocation was additional to the £150,000 already spent annually on the pilot escort scheme which has been in place on 34 transport routes for some years.
I also took the view, which I still hold, that the most appropriate people to operate the escort scheme are the school authorities which are catering for the children in question on a daily basis and know the children's' needs and behaviours. This would be in line with the pilot project.
I can assure the House that I appreciate the extra work involved for schools in participating in this scheme. I also recognise the concerns and reservations which some individual schools have expressed at taking on responsibility for the escort scheme. While I appreciate that these concerns are validly held, I would point out that the pilot escort service which has operated for a number of years has not presented the difficulties which are now being raised by some schools.
407 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the adherence by school buses to the maximum number of passengers allowed; if insurance is valid when the bus is overcrowded; the type of insurance cover used in view of the increased possibility of accidents resulting from overcrowding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25384/99]
The loading on all school buses is determined by the relevant sections of the Road Traffic Regulations (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) which are laid down by the Department of the Environment and Local Government. Under public service vehicle regulations, the licensed carrying capacity of all vehicles engaged in school transport is based on a ratio of three pupils for every two adult seats. Great care is taken to ensure that loadings do not exceed the maximum legal carrying capacity of the different bus types in use. Bus Éireann complies with these regulations and all other relevant safety legislation.
Bus Éireann carries its own insurance, and all Bus Éireann vehicles operating under the school transport scheme are covered. In the case of contractors' vehicles, it is a legal requirement, and also a condition of contract, that such vehicles carry current motor insurance at all times when operating under the scheme.
I can assure the Deputy that all pupils carried under the school transport scheme, whether on Bus Éireann or contractors' vehicles, are covered by insurance whilst travelling.
