School Transport 07/01/2008

Statement by John Carr, General Secretary, Irish National Teachers’ Organisation On School Transport

7 January 2008

INTO says school transport policy still fatally flawed.

The INTO has criticised the government’s school transport policy saying that bus escorts are needed on buses that take very young children to and from school. “The government has not done enough to make sure that all children are safe on school buses,” said John Carr, general secretary of the primary teachers’ union.

The union says the installation of seat belts on buses will count for nothing unless an adult is employed to make sure that children wear them. “Any parent will tell you that infants need help to put on seat belts,” said Mr Carr.  “No responsible parent would leave four and five year olds to buckle up their own belts. They would check that it has been done and help where necessary. They also keep an eye out to make sure that belts are not undone during the journey.”

According to the INTO this is not happening on school buses because no adult is employed to supervise the pupils. John Carr said Minister Haughey was fooling himself if he thought that belts alone would minimise risks.

Earlier this year a Bus Eireann survey showed that one in four primary school children was not wearing a seat belt on school buses. At the time Minister Haughey expressed his disappointment at the findings of the survey and stated that it was the law to wear a belt.

“This is a totally inadequate response and shows that the Minister clearly doesn’t understand the reality of school buses,” said Mr Carr. “He should make a few trips on school buses early in the new year and see the situation for himself. That would lead him to realise that current policy is flawed.”

“There are obvious safety implications. As well as individual seat belts an adult supervisor, in addition to the driver is a necessity. To expect a driver to be responsible for behaviour and the safety of up to fifty infants as well as driving the bus is not acceptable.”

An adult supervisor would also be able to enhance the safety of the thousands of young children getting on and off our school buses.

ENDS