Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 April 2022
220. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education the reason that bus drivers over 70 years of age with the relevant full licences are not allowed to drive on contracted school bus services for Bus Éireann; if she will consider changing same; if she will make it a stipulation of the conditions of any contract with Bus Éireann that this ageist provision be removed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21560/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool 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.
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.
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. However the matter will continue to be kept under review.
