Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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279. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of public service vehicles, including buses, directly operated or contracted by the State that are not fitted with safety belts; his views on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36183/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The information the Deputy is seeking is not available.

Ireland's Entry into Service regulations requires all buses to have Type Approval, which includes the specified standards for safety belts, where they are required, before they are used on the road.

Buses designed to operate in an urban environment, operating at reduced speeds (maximum 65km/h in Ireland if carrying standees) and with passengers in many instances, only having a short journey time, are not required to be fitted with safety belts. Due to the number of people these vehicles can carry, often for short distances, and at reduced speeds for safety reasons their design takes these factors into account while also considering the efficient and swift movement of passengers getting on and off the vehicle.