Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Taoiseach for his indication that there will be a full review and audit of the process and structure of the school transport system. When a transport company is running a fleet that is designed to provide safe transport for school children, there can be confusion between running a commercial entity and providing a safe system. What are the maintenance costs for the existing fleet? The provision of newer buses, with an age limit of ten years for example, would reduce maintenance costs substantially. How can a bus that was checked two days ago subsequently catch fire? Mechanics can only do a certain amount with buses that are beyond a certain age. As a matter of urgency, will the Minister for Education and Science instruct that every bus that is ten years old or over be independently assessed? There is a fear that there will be more of these types of incidents. With buses that are 16 years old or more and given the nature of the five incidents in the past 12 months, it is a cause for serious concern.

The Department of Education and Science has written to parents with children who use the school bus system. The departmental letter claims that because of the unfortunate tragedy in Kentstown, seat belts are being placed on all school buses. However, as a result, there is no room for some children and parents must make whatever arrangements they want to get their children to school. Has the introduction of these seat belts to increase safety resulted in a reduction by a third of the number of children who can be carried on the system, resulting in parents being told to find their own way to school?

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