Written answers

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Department of Education and Skills

School Transport

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

346. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if further consideration will be given to extending the age permitted for bus drivers and the school transport scheme to above 70 years of age given the acute shortage of drivers in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56963/21]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 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 €224.7m in 2020.

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 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.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.