Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if all children at primary and secondary level using the school transport service have their own seat and seatbelt; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40219/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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All of the 2,500 post-primary school transport services are on a one-for-one seating basis and it is expected that all of the primary school services will also be on a similar seating basis by the end of December, 2006.

In addition, the Bus Éireann school bus fleet have been fitted with seat belts and over 97% of the private contractors buses are also fitted with seat belts. Bus Éireann have advised that December 2006 remains the target date for all vehicles operating on school transport services to be fitted with approved seat belts. This is in accordance with the package of measures to enhance the safety of school transport operations announced by Minister Hanafin and myself in July 2005.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of school buses in which seat belts have been fitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40218/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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All of the Bus Éireann school bus fleet have been fitted with seat belts and over 97% of the private contractors buses are also fitted with seat belts. Bus Éireann have advised that December 2006 remains the target date for all vehicles operating on school transport services to be fitted with approved seat belts.