Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
746. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if, in light of the shortage of bus and coach drivers and the challenges faced by Bus Éireann, she will provide insights into the potential benefits of permitting drivers aged 70 years and above to participate in school runs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39064/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
There was an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and an increase of 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
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 comorbidities 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. While Bus Éireann keep the age limits of drivers under review, they have informed my Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time.
