Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is considering allowing bus companies who have buses that are over 20 years old, and have all the required certificates required by the Department of Transport to carry passengers, to provide school bus services for Bus Éireann; the reason there are separate rules for the operation of school bus services over and above the rules and regulations of the Department of Transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30437/24]

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 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.

Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann have the responsibility for the overall safe operation of the School Transport Scheme and protection of children when travelling on school transport services. As such, Bus Éireann work closely with the Department of Education, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and other stakeholders to improve the safety standards across all fleet and this collaboration continues on an ongoing basis.

All school buses, including Bus Éireann vehicles in service that are subject to roadside inspections must have current roadworthiness certification at the time of inspection. In addition to statutory requirements, Bus Éireann arranges for additional examinations of vehicles operating under the School Transport Scheme – which are both targeted and random.

The Department of Transport advised that as best practice, the NTA keep the age of vehicles operating city and town bus services to a maximum of 12 years, with the intercity services closer to 10 years old . If the Deputy has any further queries relating to public transport, they can be addressed to the Department of Transport.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that qualified bus drivers, who have passed all the medical and other tests to be qualified to drive a bus and are over 70 years of age, are not eligible to drive school buses under the school bus scheme of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30438/24]

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 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide transport for children living remotely from their nearest school. Safety is a core value for Bus Éireann and is its first priority in all operations.

While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on over 7,000 school routes.

The retirement age for school bus drivers has been set by Bus Éireann at 70 years of age, which also applies to road passenger services. Its decision to operate the scheme with drivers up to age 70 is grounded in the best safe interests of the young children, its drivers and other road users. Bus Éireann’s operating experience, together with ongoing consultation with stakeholders including the Road Safety Authority and other public transport operators in relation to Safety First is that its current policy balances the overarching need for safety, with the risk and the operational needs of the scheme. This is also evidenced by international research.

The policy and criteria also apply to drivers nominated by private operators who operate services as part of the School Transport Scheme, who 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.

The age limit on 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. Bus Éireann and Department officials meet regularly to discuss operational and policy matters.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she intends to reform the administration of the school bus service to allow all documentation in relation to fulfilment of their contracts by bus companies under the school bus scheme to do all their business electronically, rather than depending on either the postal services or hand delivery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30439/24]

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 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.

The scheme is operated using a mix of Bus Éireann owned vehicles and directly recruited drivers, and private contractors who recruit their own drivers to operate on the scheme.

As part of the operation of the scheme, Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. There are currently over 7,000 vehicles operating on the scheme.

Bus Éireann and my Department are looking at ways to introduce technology to support the administration of the School Transport Scheme. The role of technology in supporting expansion of the scheme has been identified as one of the key recommendations of review of the scheme “ School Transport 2030”

With my Department's approval Bus Éireann has recently introduced a new e-procurement system to streamline tender competitions. Bus Éireann advised they received positive feedback from suppliers in relation to the benefits the new system provides, there has been significant engagement with operators as part of implementation of this new system.

Bus Éireann has advised they have also implemented an on-line system in place to support mandatory vetting requirements.

One of the key projects being progressed for school transport is the roll out of Smart Ticketing nationally on school transport services. A trial was conducted in the Kells area and it is intended that a further trial of this technology will take place as part of the pilot projects being implemented in Limerick and Roscommon areas for the 24/25 school year.

This technology will provide greater insights in relation to the operation of services. It also has the potential capability of providing further opportunities to utilise technology to support compliance and other aspects of business activity involving contracted Private Operators.