Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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43. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will expand on his closing comments on Wednesday’s private members motion on public transport experience regarding over 70’s school bus drivers; the steps he is taking to review this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34981/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the school transport scheme is a matter for the Minister for Education and the Programme for Government (PFG) 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 Programme for Government (PfG) also has committed to "Work to enhance and support the delivery of a skilled workforce to maintain and operate public transport vehicles". My Department chairs the Public Transport Workforce Taskforce which aims to progress this PfG commitment and to identify options to assist with resolving challenges regarding the recruitment of drivers and mechanics/craftworkers. The taskforce includes representatives from the school transport section in the Department of Education, relevant transport operators and agencies, and training bodies. The aim of the taskforce is to work collaboratively to identify contributing factors to the recruitment issues, and put forward an action plan with recommendations and measures to create a pipeline of workers to address these issues. Officials in my department will also continue to engage with other stakeholders, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, during the preparation of the action plan.

In line with this work, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment signed regulations on 11 April 2025 extending the general employment permit quotas for HGV/Bus mechanics and vehicle repairers, increasing the total number of quotas available for these roles by 200 permits.