Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022

Thursday, 8 September 2022

Ceisteanna (962)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

962. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if the restrictions imposed by Bus Éireann on part time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators that are preventing those aged over 70 years working will be lifted to 75 years in view of the current shortage of drivers to allow those aged 70 years or over to continue to drive; if those over 70 years will be allowed to drive a Bus Éireann contracted bus if they undergo a yearly medical assessment and are deemed medically fit to do so; the additional efforts that are being made to fill the shortfall in drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43674/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the last 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.

In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures. 

Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous 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.

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 license 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.   

Bus Éireann notes there is a change that from the age of 75, drivers must complete a medical report form signed by a registered medical practitioner, however this change does not apply to bus and truck driving licence holders, who still require a medical report on first issue and on renewal of licences every 5 years. 

There is therefore no plan to increase the age limit further from 70 to 75 at this time for School Bus Drivers, however the matter will continue to be kept under review.

Barr
Roinn