The newly-appointed junior education minister has warned children caught vandalising school bus seatbelts that they may be permanently banned from the service.
Minister of State Sean Haughey announced today that the Department of Education's €36.5 million programme to fit seatbelts to all 3,000 school buses in the State was now complete. The practice of sitting three students in seats designed for two has also been phased out, he said.
Mr Haughey said there were already a number of incidents of vandalism to the belts that gave cause for concern. This "anti-social behaviour" was being perpetrated by a "small minority" of teenagers, he said.
"Frankly, I am astonished to think that some young people, who should be well aware of the benefits of wearing seat belts, would consider putting their own lives and the lives of their fellow passengers in danger by maliciously damaging the seatbelts provided for their safety," the Minister said.
Pupils at schools in Cos Galway, Cork, Offaly and Laois have already been told drivers will not carry them on school buses and their parents have been forced to pay for repairs.
Mr Haughey, who was appointed minister of state last month to replace Síle De Valera, said persistent offenders could be suspended from travelling on school buses or banned for good. In addition, bus services may also be suspended for all pupils indefinitely until Bus Eireann is satisfied that a safe environment can be restored.
Mr Haughey also said as additional vehicles enter the system thorough inspections will be carried out to ensure that they meet required standards for seat-belt installation.
This year the Government will spend €165 million on the entire school transport operation taking over 135,000 children to and from school each day.
