568 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if all of the school buses used in the transport of children to a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny are fitted with seat belts. [33863/06]

Bus Éireann has advised that all of its buses, and the majority of contractors' buses, operating as part of the School Transport Schemes have been fitted with safety belts. The remainder are on schedule to be fitted with safety belts by the target date of December, 2006. This is in accordance with the package of measures to enhance the safety of school transport operations announced by Minister Hanafin and myself in July, 2005. The specific information requested by the Deputy is not readily available.