Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

408. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if experienced bus drivers aged 70 years and over, and meeting all health criteria, will be eligible for employment by Bus Éireann or by private contractors carrying out public contracts; if she will ensure that this issue is given further consideration in view of the shortage of such drivers at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51998/22]

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

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

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.

While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.

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.

The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. While Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

409. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a decision will be made on the appeal made by a person in County Louth (details supplied) against the decision not to be provided school bus tickets this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51096/22]

Norma 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 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.

Bus Éireann has advised that a ticket request was received for the child referred to by the Deputy on 16/07/2022. This pupil is not eligible for transport as they are attending their fourth nearest post primary centre. I am pleased to advise a ticket issued to the pupil referred on 13/10/2022.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

410. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 345 of 4 October 2022, if she will confirm that the application for school transport in this case was received before the initial April 2022 deadline; if she will identify the national school referenced in the response as closer; and if she will confirm the patronage of this school. [51125/22]

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

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

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.

Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms from their nearest primary school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme and subject to the following conditions:

- an application is made by the deadline date

- there is an existing service in place

- there is spare capacity on the service

- routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis; no additional State cost will be incurred

Any remaining seats left after eligible children are accommodated are being allocated to concessionary children in the usual way. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann will determine the allocation of the tickets using a digital random selection process.

Bus Éireann has advised that the children referred are not deemed eligible as they are not attending their nearest school having regard to ethos as it is not their nearest school under Protestant management.

Bus Éireann has further advised that an application for the 2022/23 school year was received before the deadline date of 29^thApril 2022. However, there is no existing service that can accommodate the children to the school referred.