James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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89. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she can provide the number of applications made for the school transport scheme within Cork county; if there is an increase in applications in the Cork East constituency, if her Department will increase the number of buses required to fulfil the number of applications; if her Department will consider raising the ceiling age of 70 years for bus drivers to help increase the number of bus drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22892/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. There has been an increase of 21% tickets issued to eligible students and 38% tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the current 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.

In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,200 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.

The School Transport Scheme is an important service for families and children. The purpose of the 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.

Bus Éireann have advised that the number of applications made for the school transport scheme within Cork county for the 2022/23 school year as compared to the applications made for the 2021/22 school year are outlined below. It is not possible to break these applications into constituencies within the county.

With regard to planning services for the 2023/2024 school year, Bus Éireann will review applications and plan routes during the summer months. The closing date for new applications for the 2023/2024 school year was Friday 28^thApril. The closing date for payment/entering medical details for tickets for the 2023/2024 school year in Friday 9^thJune. It is only after this time that Bus Éireann will know how many applications have been received and paid for, and, at that point services will be planned for the upcoming school year. Pending completion of the School Transport review, there will be no removal or downsizing of buses/routes for the 2023/2024 school year.

With regard to raising the age limit for school bus drivers, 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.