Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to introduce legislation to provide appropriate funding in order to have alarms fitted on all school buses that will notify the driver when a passenger is not wearing their seat belt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16051/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I can assure the Deputy that the safety of children travelling on the school transport service is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme.

The Deputy will be aware that all dedicated school transport buses are now equipped with safety belts and children are required by law to wear these belts. In contrast to the position where car drivers are concerned, bus drivers are not legally responsible for ensuring that passengers wear the seatbelt provided at all times, recognising the different operating circumstances and practicalities involved.