Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 549: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if a meeting took place with representatives from her Department and other Government Departments and Bus Éireann after the Kentstown bus tragedy in Meath in May 2006; if so, the outcome of this meeting; the number of meetings which have taken place since then; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20952/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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In June, 2005, a Working Group comprising representatives from the Departments of Education and Science, Transport and Finance was set up to progress measures to enhance school bus safety. Bus Éireann also attends the meetings.

The Working Group has met on several occasions to discuss a range of safety issues relating to school transport operations and continues to meet as required. Arising from the deliberations of the Group, it was possible last July for Minister Hanafin and myself to announce a package of measures designed to enhance the safety of school transport operations. These measures include the phasing out of three-for-two seating arrangements and the installation of seat belts on all school buses. Arrangements are in hand to have these measures in place by a target date of the end of this year.