Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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645.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the departmental review of the upper age limit applied to drivers of school bus services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31440/24]

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.