Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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5. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the immediate installation of assault screens on all Bus Éireann services will be ensured; if his initial positive response to a union (details supplied) will be followed up; and when a Garda transport division will be established. [52299/18]

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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In response to a letter from Dermot O'Leary of the National Bus and Rail Union, NBRU, on 26 June, the Minister stated:

I have asked my Department to write to the CEO of Iarnród Éireann...and the Chairman of the Railway Safety Advisory Council...to seek their views on the adequacy of the current arrangements for combating anti-social behaviour on our rail network.

I have also asked my Department to engage with the CEOs of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann to seek their views... Once I have received their responses, I will, in conjunction with stakeholders, including my colleague, the Minister for Justice and An Garda Síochána, review the measures in place to ensure the safety of all passengers.

What is the current position in this regard?

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I thank the Deputy for her question. It is a serious and worthy one and is along the lines of what we have already heard about the necessity to protect the staff, which is essential and which I agree is not adequate in all cases.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy on and overall funding of public transport.

The safety and security of Bus Éireann staff is a matter first and foremost for Bus Éireann in conjunction with, as appropriate, An Garda Síochána.

Bus Éireann has advised that driver security screens are fitted to the entire low-floor single-deck and double-deck bus fleet.

I am advised that manufacturers currently do not supply a solution for screens on coaches and consequently screens are not fitted to this fleet type.

I have been assured that the company will continue to review this with coach manufacturers.

However, their challenge remains safety-related as a result of the significant constraints arising from the design and layout of a coach cab area, the high operating speeds of coaches and the driver's need for a clear and unimpeded view of the coach at high speeds.

Bus Éireann has further advised that the safety and welfare of employees are key priorities for it, that all assault and anti-social behaviour incidents are fully investigated and followed up with the Garda as required and that any employee involved in an incident is supported by the company through local management and the company welfare scheme. As already stated, while the vast majority of public transport passenger journeys occur without incident I am concerned to make sure that the necessary arrangements are in place in order to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff travelling and working on our public transport network.

As a result, following representations from the NBRU regarding the establishment of a dedicated police force for public transport, my Department wrote to Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and the Railway Safety Advisory Council, RSAC, to seek their views on the issue of anti-social behaviour on our public transport network. All three companies emphasised their strong and close working relationships with An Garda Síochána in the context of addressing anti-social behaviour.

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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There have been 1,000 acts of anti-social behaviour against bus workers and drivers in the past 18 months. There have been four assaults on Bus Éireann services in the past couple of weeks. Until recently, I did not know that Bus Éireann does not record assaults unless the worker is absent for more than three days. A worker could be assaulted but it is not recorded if he or she comes back within two days. Each assault should be recorded so that there is a proper account of it.

There is a call for a dedicated Garda transport division that has the ability to arrest anybody who causes criminal damage on a bus or attacks a bus worker. That is what the bus workers are looking for and that is what the Minister should be seeking. He mentioned that the Minister for Justice and Equality had met the Garda Commissioner. What was the outcome of that meeting? The Minister for Justice and Equality would have to provide funding in respect of extra officers if there was to be a dedicated Garda transport division. Does the Minister have an answer in that regard? Is he at least willing to provide funding for certain areas initially and then extend them if necessary?

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I think the Minister for Justice and Equality wrote to the Garda Commissioner. I do not think he met him; I am not sure. I do not know what the outcome of that was, but I think it was quite recent. I could find out and come back to the Deputy. I know it is a matter of some urgency.

In reply to the question about what is being done, I wrote to the RSAC. In its response it recommended the establishment of a dedicated unit of An Garda Síochána to police the rail network on occasions when the possibility of anti-social behaviour is high. Bus Éireann, in which Deputy Joan Collins is particularly interested, reported that the level of anti-social behaviour was relatively low and noted a declining trend. That does not make it acceptable for one second. However, the rate does seem to be coming down. Some of the measures seem to be having an effect. Bus Éireann confirmed once again that the incidence of assaults and anti-social behaviour is low but that safety and welfare of its staff is a key priority. Driver security screens are fitted to the entire low-floor single-deck and double-deck bus fleet.

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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I know they are fitted in the low-floor coaches, but the Minister made the point that other coaches are not fitted with security screens. There are safety concerns. I am sure that the health and safety committee could look at something like that. Where there is a will there is a way. If something needs to be done and can be done, it should be done. Assault screens should be fitted on all public transport to protect workers. As a stakeholder in these public bodies, it is the least the Minister can do to ensure that workers are safe.

I would appreciate it if the Minister could come back to me regarding the Garda transport division. The Minister responded to the NBRU on 26 June. Six months later we still do not have any clarity on that except for what the Minister has stated, namely, that the RSAC advised on the rail network. I would be interested to find out more about that.

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I thank the Deputy. In addition to what I said about security screens being available on the low-floor single-deck and double-desk bus fleet, I note that according to Bus Éireann all assaults and incidents of anti-social behaviour are fully investigated and followed up with An Garda Síochána as required. Any employee involved in such an incident is supported by the company through local management and the company welfare scheme. Emergency support for drivers on the road is provided through their 24-hour control centres. The company has invested in extensive CCTV coverage throughout the bus fleet for the added protection of employees and customers. Bus Éireann has improved customer education with clear signage on buses regarding respect for staff as well as a customer safety video. An additional conflict management module has been included in Bus Éireann's employee training programme to help support employees in difficult situations and improved CCTV coverage has been put in place in the driver's cab area, with consideration of an additional camera over the entrance door fully covering the cab.

I do not want to make light of this problem. I agree with the Deputy that it has to be addressed. It is being addressed. It has come to the notice of the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice and Equality and me. I would welcome any further suggestions.