Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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127. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the review into bus driver retirement ages (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17370/26]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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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 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 Programme for Government, a commitment has been made to "Carry out an independent assessment on the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from the School Transport Scheme".

There is ongoing engagement between the Department and Bus Éireann to advance this commitment as quickly as possible.