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School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022

Thursday, 10 March 2022

Questions (292)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

292. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if she will address a matter regarding the retirement age for school bus drivers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13662/22]

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Written answers

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on 7,000 school routes.  This includes vetting and background checks.

Bus Éireann has reviewed the matter referred to by the Deputy and has advised  that from the age of 70, all drivers even of private cars must complete a medical report form signed by a registered medical practitioner. This is a Road Safety Authority requirement for any licence category applied for at age 70.  It exists because of the known effects of aging on eyesight, on cognitive and physical performance, the increased risk of co-morbidities and the increased likelihood of drivers taking a number of medications.  For public transport, and especially large capacity public transport carrying children, these risks are increased as the potential harm that could result is that much greater.

The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. There is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time.

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