Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 341: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there is an accident and if the child of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is hurt, will her Department take full responsibility for it in view of the fact the child has been prevented from using a booster seat on the school bus as per Department regulations. [28139/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have already outlined to the Deputy in replies to previous Parliamentary Questions that the law in relation to the use of safety restraint systems in buses reflects the requirements as set down in the relevant EU Directives and that these Directives do not require the provision of such systems for children travelling on buses fitted with safety belts. I also pointed out that the law requires that occupants of buses who are 3 years of age or more must wear safety belts where they are fitted. Because all nominated buses operating within the school transport scheme are fitted with safety belts, all pupils travelling on these vehicles are obliged by law to wear the belts provided.

The Deputy can also be assured that the safety of children travelling on the school transport service is of paramount importance to my Department and Bus Éireann which operates the school transport scheme. Bus Éireann place special emphasis on safety and, to this end, have a wide range of checking procedures in place, in addition to statutory vehicle examinations, to ensure as far as reasonably possible that a safe and reliable service is delivered. An accident involving a school transport vehicle would have to be fully investigated, in the normal way, by the relevant authorities. I cannot comment on hypothetical circumstances. The stance taken by my Department would depend on all the circumstances of the particular case.