Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)

I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to update him on school transport. I remind him of the increase in the number of tickets issued for the 2025-26 school year to date, with an increase of 6% in tickets issued when compared to the same time last year. While Bus Éireann has reported challenges in sourcing contractors and drivers, not only for school transport but in the wider transport sector nationally, it indicates that a lot of progress has been made in sourcing transport for the majority of pupils. Looking forward to the next school year, 2026-27, a lot of work is being done to enhance the current operation to continue to improve technology and improve the customer experience further.

It is recognised that the school transport scheme is vital to families in certain areas to support them in bringing their children to school. The availability of transport to school can be a critical component for children to access education. I want to reiterate the sheer volume of the scheme, with over 179,000 children transported daily in approximately 8,200 vehicles across 10,600 routes to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. These daily trips cover over 100 million km annually.

This is an issue in my own constituency, and every Member of this House can raise issues in this regard. While the Minister is trying to find solutions, there are challenges in trying to source contractors and, in particular, drivers. When I was on the other side of the House, I always said that we should raise the retirement age for school bus drivers to 70. People can drive an ordinary bus up to any age but school bus drivers have to retire when they are 65. We are looking at that and, hopefully, if it can happen, it will help the situation. I will ensure the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, keeps Deputy O'Donoghue updated on the issue he has raised.

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