Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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313. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if private bus drivers who are engaged in the transportation of children are subject to Garda vetting. [52679/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all operational matters within An Garda Síochána, including vetting and engagement with other state bodies such as Tusla.

I can inform the Deputy that the National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 set out in Schedule 1 Parts 1 & 2 what constitutes relevant work or activities in relation to children and vulnerable persons.

The work of bus drivers transporting children falls within the definition of relevant work or activity in Schedule 1 Part 1(8).

Schedule 1 Part 1(8) provides that:

Work as a driver of a public service vehicle which is being used onlyfor the purpose of conveying children.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda National Vetting Bureau conduct vetting on behalf of Bus Éireann for staff working as dedicated school bus drivers pursuant to the provisions set out in the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 - 2016.

In addition, where Bus Éireann award contracts to private bus operators for the provision of school bus services around the country, the drivers employed by the private bus operators to drive the school buses are vetted by Bus Éireann.

I am also advised by the Garda authorities that bus services organised by schools to take pupils to events, or bus services organised privately by parents in circumstances where Bus Éireann do not provided a school bus service, are outside the ambit of the National Vetting Bureau.