Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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567. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are any plans to allow people who are contracted by Bus Éireann to drive buses for children with additional needs to continue to do so after they reach 70 years of age; if she will comment on the current policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23460/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, 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 and Youth.

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, provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70.

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. This review is now complete.

Under the new Programme for Government (PFG), Government has committed to "Carry out an independent assessment on the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from the School Transport Scheme".

The Department is engaging with the Department of Transport and with Bus Éireann on this matter.