Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
463. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to change or remove the upper age limit for driving a school bus from 70 years of age; if he will increase the number of bus drivers eligible to drive a school bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51754/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were 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.
It is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However, Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate services as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided, they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria are applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
There are no current plans to change this age limit, however the matter will continue to be kept under review.
