Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

206. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the precautions Bus Éireann has in place to deal with anti-social behaviour towards its employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35076/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Anti-social behaviour is a broad societal issue, to which public transport is unfortunately not immune, and it is those passengers and staff who regularly use and work within our public transport network who are most directly impacted by any safety or security incidents that may occur on the network.

Bus Éireann has invested in extensive CCTV coverage throughout its fleet for the protection of passengers and staff and driver security screens are fitted to the entire low-floor, single-deck, and double-deck bus fleet. All hubs are also monitored by CCTV.

I am also advised that Bus Éireann has anti-assault screens fitted on city and town buses. In addition, they are currently engaging with manufacturers to create appropriately sized anti-assault screens for the coach vehicles not yet fully fitted with anti-assault screens due to the dimensions required.

Emergency support for Bus Éireann's drivers is provided through 24-hour control centres and any incidents of antisocial behaviour are fully investigated and followed up with An Garda Síochána as required. Security personnel are employed in the larger bus stations and extensive CCTV is also in operation throughout all stations to ensure the security of all Bus Éireann staff, customers, and property.

Bus Éireann also use private security patrol personnel to assist where they have encountered localised issues on particular bus routes. Recent increased security measures in Busáras include moving core departures from operating outside the building into the departure gates within the station as well as reducing access points into Busáras to one main entrance.

As you may be aware there is also a strong commitment under the Programme for Government to create a Transport Security Force under the NTA, which would operate and have similar powers to Airport Police and Customs Officers. I can assure you that I am taking forward this commitment as a priority, and work is ongoing in my Department, in conjunction with the NTA, around identifying the most appropriate organisational structure to progress it.

In the interim my Department will continue to engage with all operators and unions on the matter, and will continue to work with all stakeholders to provide safe and sustainable public transport.