Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 497: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the private school bus operator for the past 40 years who was recently informed by Bus Éireann that they will not contract them next year due to the fact they will be 70 years of age even though they have a licence and their insurers will insure them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22943/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware Bus Eireann operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department.

Bus Eireann has advised the Department that in response to the expressed wishes of many school bus drivers - both Bus Éireann and private contractor school bus drivers - who wanted to remain in the position upon reaching retirement age at sixty-five years, and following the advice of their Medical Department, the company decided to alter the compulsory retirement age for school bus drivers who provide services under the School Transport Scheme to enable experienced personnel to remain on in the position for a maximum of five more years if desired.

School bus drivers who opt to remain on after sixty-five years of age may do so up to the age of seventy, if they are satisfied to do so, subject to annual medical review and once they continue to hold the requisite driving licence. In the opinion of the Bus Éireann Chief Medical Officer, given the demanding and safety critical nature of School Bus driving, 70 years of age is deemed a reasonable age at which to retire from such employment.

A Contractor may continue to hold the Contract to provide a school bus service on behalf of Bus Éireann when over the age of seventy years, using a nominated driver to provide their service.