Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
627. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the details of training programmes, including the cost of such programmes, being made available for those wishing to become qualified school bus drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1382/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
The school transport scheme is a demand led scheme based on the number of children who apply. My Department engages with Bus Éireann on an annual basis to plan for the provision of the resources required to operate the scheme.
As over 90% of school bus services are contracted locally, the recruitment of school bus drivers would be a matter for each bus contractor, and each contractor is responsible for ensuring that all the required training has been provided to their drivers and that all the necessary licences and professional standards are in place. With regard to school bus drivers employed by Bus Éireann, all drivers must undergo at least one day of training each year to maintain their Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). Bus Éireann delivers this training to their staff through their team of Training Supervisors, who are trained as Advanced Driving Instructors.
