Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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215. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the disparity between Bus Éireann drivers with regard to illness pay (details supplied). [49780/23]

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 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

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

Bus Éireann, as operators of the School Transport Scheme are responsible for all issues regarding employment terms and conditions of employment of their bus drivers and as such, the question raised by the Deputy is not a matter for my Department.

The query has been highlighted to Bus Éireann and they will respond to the Deputy directly in this regard.