Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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228. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she has corresponded with Bus Éireann in respect of that company’s arbitrary rule that prevents drivers aged 70 and over from driving school buses, considering that this has been cited by operators as the reason for the cancellation of a number of school bus routes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39114/24]

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 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. This includes over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

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

Over 141,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 4% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.

The retirement age for school bus drivers has been set by Bus Éireann at 70 years of age, which also applies to all Bus Éireann road passenger services. 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. Bus Éireann has informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time. The Road Safety Authority under the remit of the Department of Transport committed to reviewing the upper age limit of drivers as it relates to larger vehicles/school buses.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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229. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children in each county who are eligible for a school bus ticket but who currently do not have a place on a school bus, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39115/24]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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230. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of children in each county for which applications for concessionary school bus tickets were applied but which to date have been unsuccessful, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39116/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme. The school transport fleet is made up of both contractors and Bus Éireann vehicles. Over 95% of services are provided by contractors operating on the School Transport Scheme.

In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.

Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.

In relation to the Deputy's request for the number of children in each county for which applications for concessionary school bus tickets were applied but which to date have been unsuccessful; it is not currently possible to provide this information in the manner requested by the Deputy, as Bus Éireann continue to issue tickets to families where capacity is available.

In relation to the Deputy's request for number of children in each county who are eligible for a school bus ticket but who currently do not have a place on a school bus, unfortunately, difficulties have arisen in specific locations with a small number of contracted services, where it has not yet been possible to provide vehicles / drivers. Less than 0.5% of ticket holders on mainstream services have been affected. This number continues to change as services are pt in place.

These difficulties have arisen in some cases due to lack of driver or contractor availability, or where either zero bids were received for a service, despite repeated efforts to procure one. The Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.