Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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144. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question Number No. 313 of 20 February 2024, concerning the ban on school bus drivers over the age of 70, if she will provide an update on any recent discussions she and her Department have had with Bus Éireann to reconsider this policy, which prohibits drivers aged 70 and above from participating in the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25938/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, 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. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.

While over 90% of services are contracted locally, Bus Éireann apply stringent assessments of each individual driver on over 7,000 school routes. This includes vetting and background checks.

As previously advised, it is Bus Éireann company policy that normal retirement age for all Bus Éireann staff is currently 66 years. However, Bus Éireann part-time school bus drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue to perform in the role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until they retire at age 70. This policy and criteria is applied to all drivers who provide school transport services on behalf of Bus Éireann equally.

The age limit on school bus drivers was increased to 70 years a number of years ago. Bus Éireann and Department officials meet regularly to discuss operational and policy matters, and while Bus Éireann have informed the Department there is no plan to increase the age limit further at this time, the matter will continue to be kept under review.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify the number of school buses traveling from Balbriggan to a school (details supplied); if the demand for busses to this school indicates the need for a special national school to be established in Balbriggan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25953/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, 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. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils traveling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.

For families who wish to make an application under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs; the National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special needs.

Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, my Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.

A parent/guardian should contact the school principal of the school that their child is attending who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with their school.

Bus Eireann have confirmed that 6 services in total serve the school mentioned by the Deputy from the area referred. They further advise that there has been no significant increase in pupil applications for school transport to this school over the last few years.

In relation to the suggested need for a special national school in the area, there continues to be an increasing need to provide additional special school places to support children with complex needs.

The new special schools established over recent years have focused on providing additional places in our largest urban areas: Dublin and Cork.

The Department and NCSE continue to work on expanding special school capacity for the 2024/25 school year and beyond. In planning for increased special school places, the Department and NCSE review all of the available data on the growing need for special school places across the country. This involves a detailed analysis of enrolment trends and the potential for existing special schools in a region to expand.

An important consideration when deciding to establish or expand provision in an existing special school is the distances that some students are travelling in order to access a special school placement.

My Department and the NCSE are continually reviewing where additional capacity is required in existing special schools or in what regions a new special school may need to be established over the coming years.

It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required each year for the coming years. When looking to provide additional capacity the department’s preferred option is to increase provision in existing special schools if possible.