Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 772: To ask the Minister for Transport if some grant assistance or scheme will be put into place for bus operators who have to refit new seats with integrated seat belts in their buses to comply with the new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24511/05]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have no plans to make it a regulatory requirement to retrofit seat belts in existing buses. As far as school buses are concerned, the Minister for Education and Science is putting in place arrangements so that only buses equipped with seat belts will be used in the school transport fleet. It will be a matter for school bus contractors, in conjunction with Bus Éireann, either to retrofit seat belts in existing buses or to provide vehicles with seat belts fitted by the manufacturer.

It is not proposed that financial assistance will be provided by my Department in respect of costs incurred by bus owners in retrofitting seat belts in their buses.