Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department have discovered any deficiencies in respect of safety of the school transport fleet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20215/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The school transport services are operated by Bus Éireann on my Department's behalf. All school buses with more than eight adult seats and which are more than one year old, are required to pass the Department of Transport's annual roadworthiness test.

In addition, Bus Éireann vehicles are subject to a routine scheduled maintenance programme to ensure that the highest safety standards are achieved. Bus Éireann check their buses every 12 weeks. Private operators employed by Bus Éireann are contractually obliged to keep their nominated vehicle in a safe and roadworthy condition at all times.

To ensure ongoing safety and roadworthiness, my colleague, the Minister for Transport has requested an independent review to be carried out within Bus Éireann of the arrangements and systems in place for the management, operation and maintenance of the fleet, both owned and contracted by Bus Éireann. I understand that Minister Cullen has requested that the review be completed, as soon as possible and that a copy of the report be forwarded to him as soon as it is available. Separately, the Minister for Transport has requested the Chief Executive designate of the proposed Road Safety Authority to undertake a fundamental review of the arrangements for the compulsory periodic roadworthiness testing of goods vehicles and buses. As part of that review, the matter of Bus Éireann undertaking such roadworthiness tests on their own vehicles will be examined.

Officials of my Department will liaise with the Department of Transport regarding the outcome of the review.