Written answers

Tuesday, 14 June 2005

Department of Education and Science

School Transport

9:00 pm

Photo of Mary WallaceMary Wallace (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 725: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary school buses which have seat belts fitted to them; the number of post primary school buses which have seat belts fitted to them; if she will report on the work in progress within her Department in relation to the seat belt on school buses issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19395/05]

Photo of Mary WallaceMary Wallace (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 726: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of school buses operated by Bus Éireann; the number of school buses operated by private operators; the number of Bus Éireann school buses that operate under the three for two seat rule; the number of privately operated buses that operate under the three for two seat rule; if she will report on the proposal within her Department to phase out the three for two seat rule to ensure that every eligible child attending post primary school will have a seat on a school bus; the proposals in her Department to ensure that every eligible primary school child will have a seat on a school bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19396/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 725 and 726 together.

Bus Éireann has advised my Department that the number of buses with seat belts is 1,539 and without seat belts is 1,493. These figures relate to a census undertaken by Bus Éireann in October 2004 and are the most current accurate figures available. A breakdown of figures between primary and post-primary is not available.

Approximately 20% of the 3,000 vehicles used for school transport are owned by Bus Éireann and the remaining 80% are owned by private operators on contract to Bus Éireann. In the region of 138,000 children are carried each day on school transport, including about 8,000 children with special needs. It is estimated that between 12% and 14% are carried under the three for two rule.

My Department has been in discussions with Bus Éireann with a view to phasing out the three for two arrangement over the next two or three years. The discussions have been advanced to a stage at which it is possible to confirm that the necessary steps are now being taken to commence the general phasing out of this arrangement from next September. The abolition of the three for two seating arrangements will be phased out over the next two to three years. The wearing of seat belts and the three for two rule are intrinsically linked.

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