Written answers

Thursday, 22 September 2022

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Bus Services

Photo of James O'ConnorJames O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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35. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has undertaken any work to address the current lack of bus drivers; if consideration is been given to temporarily increase the maximum age limit for school bus drivers to alleviate the pressure on bus companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46335/22]

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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42. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the feasibility of extending the age limit for school transport drivers to 72 years of age to allow older drivers who are in possession of a full public service vehicle licence, a full driving licence and who are certified as medically fit to drive, and to assist with the current shortage of school transport drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46186/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 42 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, the day-to-day management and operational aspects of public transport are the responsibility of the individual operators - in this case, Bus Éireann.

Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Photo of Mark WardMark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to report on the delivery of service by a company (details supplied) including cancellations of buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45994/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the delivery of service by Go-Ahead Ireland including cancellations of buses, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

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