Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the system of evaluation, which is operational to ascertain the roadworthiness of the school transport fleet, both public and private; and if she has satisfied herself that all buses being used are roadworthy and safe. [19243/05]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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All vehicles operating under the school transport scheme are required to meet the statutory regulations as laid down by the Department of Transport. Where vehicles have more than eight adult seats and are more than one year old, they are required to pass the Department of Transport's annual roadworthiness test. In addition, Bus Éireann vehicles are subject to a programme of scheduled servicing under specified maintenance procedures to ensure the highest safety standards are achieved.

Contractors employed by Bus Éireann are contractually obliged to keep their nominated vehicle in a safe and roadworthy condition at all times. I am satisfied from information available to me from Bus Éireann which administers the scheme that these regulations are being adhered to and that, in consequence, the school bus fleet is roadworthy and safe.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Given that the Minister answered three questions I did not ask when I raised this matter during Priority Questions, I will repeat my question. When will the original review end? Was it already examining the issues of seat belts and supervision on school buses? What are the timescales for the retrospective fitting of seat belts, bringing on stream the new buses which will be required and arriving at a decision on supervision?

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to the review to which the Deputy referred, we look forward to receiving the results of the three specific investigations taking place. No doubt any recommendations which may be made in the reports or anything we can learn from the reports will be part of the review. The review was only examining the three for two rule pertaining to seating arrangements with regard to costings because we wanted to determine the exact position in order to phase out the rule. This is the reason we were able to state that the timescale for the abolition of the rule will be within a three-year period. We hope it will be completed sooner than this and will do our utmost to move the issue along.

I have already explained the position with regard to retrofitting. Although the experts must advise us on the issue, the Department has been informed that some buses may be suitable for retrofitting. As I stated with regard to replacement or additional buses, our objective is to ensure they would be fitted with seat belts.

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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This issue has been discussed for years and reviews have been taking place since 1998, yet no changes have been implemented. As part of this review, which will examine the three for two rule and the use of seat belts and so forth, is consideration being given to the possibility of using brand new, specifically designed school buses? I understand Bus Éireann tested such buses in Navan long before the recent tragedy in County Meath. The buses in question are similar to those used in the United States where it is clear that the school buses are specifically designed for schoolchildren rather than being ordinary buses with a sticker on the back. Such buses give children the respect they deserve. Is the review examining the entire issue of school transport and not only seat belts? When can we expect changes? The tragedy in my home town a few weeks ago has made it urgent that we act on this. It is time to stop passing the buck, with review after review, to start doing things and make changes. What plans are there?

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Unfortunately, the Deputy was not present when I answered the first and second priority questions.

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State did not mention special buses, and that is why I am asking the question.

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I did, I mentioned that we are looking at three different types of buses, as I will say a second time in my reply.

The Deputy referred to reviews. The references to different reviews and reports on the issue are erroneous. The only reference I am aware of to the three for two seating policy and to seat belts was in the report of the Oireachtas committee and we are going further than the recommendations in that report. That committee referred to the three for two policy for primary schools only, but we want to abolish the three for two system for everyone. The Oireachtas committee recommended that seat belts would only be fitted to new buses but we are considering fitting seat belts to the full school bus fleet in the long term. It is our target to ensure that replacement and additional buses will be fitted with seat belts.

We have looked at three types of bus, one of which is built in Donegal, one in Turkey and one in Britain. All these are new school buses that are fitted with seat belts and we are seeking to incorporate them in the school bus fleet.

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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We should change all school buses to that type. There is no point fitting seat belts in the existing fleet if the Government is going to buy the buses from Donegal or Turkey, which have been very popular with drivers.

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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We want to ensure seat belts are provided for all the school bus fleet in the long term. We are considering retrofitting where applicable and acquiring replacement buses with seat belts and new buses to complement the specific school bus fleet.