Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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500. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for the trainings that are in place for bus drivers in State-funded bus services for disabled children, including privately contracted bus services, in particular school transport for special schools and special classes contracted through Bus Éireann, with respect to behaviours of concern and the needs of disabled passengers. [63700/25]

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 scheme is operated using a mix of Bus Éireann owned vehicles and directly recruited drivers, and private contractors who recruit their own drivers to operate on the scheme.

As part of the operation of the scheme, Bus Éireann manages the procurement tender process and contract management arrangements to include services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme.

The competitive procurement process is conducted in accordance with the negotiated procedure under national and EU procurement legislation.

As over 90% of school bus services are contracted locally, each contractor recruits school bus drivers directly.

Bus Éireann has advised that, as part of their contractual requirements, school bus drivers must submit a copy of their Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) certificate or Small Public Service Vehicle (SPSV) licences. For professional drivers, the CPC provides various training with regards to passengers with disabilities, specifically in modules 2, 3 and 6. Similarly, the SPSV provides a safeguarding and disability awareness professional development course.

Each contractor is responsible for ensuring that all the required training has been provided to their drivers and that all the necessary licences and professional standards are in place. The safety of children and young people using the school transport scheme is of paramount importance.

Applicants who are vetted and approved by Bus Éireann are issued with an electronic copy of Bus Éireann’s Code of Conduct and Child Safeguarding Policy Booklet.

Where a parent/guardian has a concern regarding their child’s school transport service, they can contact Bus Éireann directly.