Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department has carried out a study as to the compliance rate by students both primary and post primary in terms of wearing their seat belts on school buses; and her plans to put closed circuit television on buses to help combat the growing problems of indiscipline on school buses. [8241/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has not carried out a study of the type suggested by the Deputy. However, Bus Éireann, which is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that it proposes to undertake a limited survey of compliance rates.

I see information and education as key factors influencing safety-conscious behaviour on school transport services. To that end, a safety information campaign was launched in August, 2006 to make parents and children aware that it is now the law to wear seat belts on school buses, where provided, and to encourage children to behave in a safety-conscious manner on and in the vicinity of, school buses. These messages were conveyed by way of television, cinema and radio advertisements. In addition, a DVD and posters were distributed to all primary and post primary schools. It is my intention that we should continue in this way to encourage positive pupil behaviour on school transport services. The survey referred to above may help to indicate the focus such information campaigns should adopt.

New school buses recently introduced into the school transport service are equipped with closed circuit television and I intend to consider the merits of installing such equipment more extensively on school buses as part of a general programme to enhance the safety of school transport operations.