Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
104. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the prohibition of persons over 70 years of age to drive a school bus; his further views on whether this rule is ageist and discriminatory; and if he will consider the absence of legislation on health checks for public service drivers as a contributor to this rule and examining same. [12262/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
In the current school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, are transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
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 service as part of the School Transport scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite licence and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70.
This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.
As the policy has already been reviewed to extend the retirement age from 66 to 70, there are no plans to have this age limit extended at present.
