Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Jim Higgins

Ceist:

115 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of Bus Éireann school buses which were subjected to an independent audit by his Department at vehicle test centres in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002. [4005/02]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy):

Roadworthiness testing of commercial vehicles, including buses, is carried out by authorised testers appointed by county councils and city councils. Bus Éireann is among these authorised testers and operates eight test centres countrywide in which testing of the company's own, as well as other, vehicles is carried out.

The scheme of roadworthiness testing of commercial vehicles is monitored by authorised officers appointed by the local authorities. These officers have power to enter testing premises to ensure tests are being carried out in a fit and proper manner and in conformity with regulatory requirements. They may also inspect the premises, equipment and records. The Department has recommended to local authorities that authorised test centres should be inspected every month.

As an additional informal quality assurance measure each authorised test centre is visited at least once per year by my Department's officers. The purpose of these visits is to verify that the good systems, practices and procedures are being operated in the test centre and they do not generally involve the testing of particular vehicles.