Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the safety guidelines which exist for operation of the school bus fleet; if she will consider an upper age limit for school buses; if seat belts are to be made compulsory on all school buses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22995/05]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action being taken by her Department to introduce compulsory seat belts to all school buses. [23072/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 423 together.

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 over eight adult seats and are more than one year old, they are required to pass that Department's annual roadworthiness test. In addition, Bus Éireann vehicles are subject to a programme of scheduled servicing under specified maintenance procedures to ensure that the highest safety standards are achieved. Contractors employed by Bus Éireann are contractually obligated to keep their nominated vehicle is a safe and roadworthy condition at all times.

The average age of the Bus Éireann large capacity school bus, which represents about 20% of the vehicles used for school transport, is 16 years and the average age of all vehicles used for school transport is 11.5 years. An older bus — which has passed the annual roadworthiness test — does not mean an unsafe bus. No bus which is unsafe or dangerous is allowed on to the road to carry children.

The loading of all school buses is determined by the relevant sections of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations which are laid down by the Department of Transport. The licensed carrying capacity of all vehicles engaged in school transport is based on a ratio of three pupils for every two adult seats, in accordance with relevant legislation. The Minister of State with responsibility for school transport and I have decided to phase out the three for two seating arrangement on school buses over the next three years, starting next September.

Bus Éireann school bus drivers are required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination by a nominated doctor and may be subject to ongoing medical review. All such drivers must hold current driving licences appropriate to the size of vehicles they are required to drive. The company also provides training to bring drivers up to the requisite standard, if necessary.

In addition, Bus Éireann school bus drivers must pass a driving assessment conducted by specially trained and qualified Bus Éireann inspectors. Vehicle familiarisation with different types of school buses is carried out on an ongoing basis.

Bus Éireann school bus drivers have also attended a disability awareness training course specially designed to take account of the requirements of children with special needs who travel under the school transport scheme. This course is ongoing at present.

Contractors' school bus drivers are required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination by a nominated doctor, and may be subject to ongoing medical review by the chief medical officer of CIE. It is a condition of the contract agreement that no person shall be allowed to drive a school bus if, having been requested, they refuse to submit for medical examination or if they are certified unfit.

All contractors must hold current driving licences appropriate to the size of vehicles they are required to drive. Bus Éireann maintains a record of driving licences on file for all nominated contractors. Bus Éireann has facilitated contractors and their school bus drivers who drive services under the school transport scheme for children with special needs to attend the ongoing disability awareness training course organised for the company's own personnel. Contractors, as independent private bus operators, may at their own discretion provide additional training for their employees.

EU Directive 2003/20 requires seat belts to be used where they are fitted. This directive must be transposed into national law by 9 May 2006. Separately, proposals to extend the requirement for seat belts to be fitted in all new vehicles except for city buses used in stage stop routes have been developed at EU level. When the directive is adopted, all new school buses being registered from a future date, yet to be determined, will require to be fitted with seat belts. It is not expected that this directive will provide for any mandatory retrofitting of seat belts in existing buses.

The provision of seat belts on school buses, will have to be introduced on a phased basis having regard to the logistical difficulties involved in sourcing right-hand drive buses equipped with any appropriate seat belts. The issue of the type, or types, of seat belt to be fitted must be determined having regard to the differing sizes of the student passengers being carried.

The Department is working closely with the Department of Transport and Bus Éireann on this issue and any decisions reached will be guided by expert advice.