Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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347. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a child could avail of a school bus service with a closer pickup point to their home (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28499/25]

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.

Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes, 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.

Eligible children who complete the application process and pay or enter their medical card details on time will get a seat on a school bus service, if a service is available.

Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for transport. They have further confirmed that this pupil has been assigned to the route in question for the 2025/26 school year.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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348. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when will the issue of bus drivers over the age of 70 be examined (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28500/25]

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 and is available on the Oireachtas website here:

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.