Written answer
School Transport
Bus Éireann will trial raising the age limit from 70 to 72 for eligible drivers of small school-transport vehicles from September 2026 to June 2028, with medical checks every six months; larger vehicles are excluded. The number of drivers affected is not yet available, and the Department will reply directly to the Deputy.
168. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of additional bus drivers who have entered or re-entered the workforce as a result of the decision to increase the maximum age limit for bus drivers from 70 to 72 years; the number currently availing of the extended age limit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66677/26]
Comment on this
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education & 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 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: PAC - RSA report over 70s (data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/committee/dail/33/committee_of_public_accounts/submissions/2024/2024-09-30_correspondence-laura-byrne-higher-executive-officer-road-safety-authority-r2790-pac33_en.pdf.) Bus Éireann has no plans to amend the driver age limit for larger vehicles.
An independent review of the upper age limit of drivers as it relates to smaller vehicles has been completed. Following this review, Bus Éireann has announced an extension to the upper age limit of drivers of small public service vehicles (max 8 seats and driver) contracted by Bus Éireann under the School Transport Scheme, from age 70 to 72, for a trial period. This extended age limit will only apply to existing nominated drivers operating school transport services or to drivers who retired from school transport during the 2025/2026 school year.
This decision follows extensive research, stakeholder engagement and a thorough safety review undertaken by Bus Éireann.
The trial period for this extension of the driver age limit is for two years, commencing from the start of the new school year in September 2026 and ending at the conclusion of the 2027/2028 school year in June 2028. Under the revised policy, enhanced safety measures will be implemented whereby drivers over 70 years are required to undertake an additional 6-month medical fitness assessment. Contractor compliance with conditions associated with the change to this policy will be monitored by Bus Éireann for the duration of the trial.
This change does not apply to minibus, medium bus, or large vehicles.
Contractors will be required to ensure that details of any nominated driver wishing to partake in this trial are notified to their local office where they will be accepted, subject to compliance with mandatory 6-month medicals.
The revised policy is grounded in Bus Éireann’s adherence to the best safety interests of its customers, including young children, drivers, and other road users. This policy change will remain under continuous review throughout the two-year trial period, with a further evaluation conducted at its conclusion to determine whether the extended age limit should be maintained or discontinued.
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the format required. Officials from the School Transport Section of my Department are currently engaging with Bus Éireann and will reply directly to the Deputy with the information.