O’Shea Disappointed Bus Éireann will not Extend Age Limit for Larger School Transport Vehicles

Cork North West TD calls for greater flexibility to address school transport driver shortages

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Deputy John Paul O’Shea, has expressed his disappointment that Bus Éireann has no plans to amend its upper age limit for drivers of larger vehicles operating under the School Transport Scheme.

Deputy O’Shea raised the issue with the Department of Education and Youth and has now received a response from Minister of State Michael Moynihan who has responsibility for School Transport confirming that, following a review by the Road Safety Authority, Bus Éireann has decided not to amend the current age limit of 70 for drivers of larger vehicles.

Bus Éireann has, however, agreed to extend the upper age limit from 70 to 72 on a two-year trial basis for drivers of smaller vehicles carrying a maximum of eight passengers plus the driver.

Deputy O’Shea said this is a welcome step, but will have very limited impact on the wider school transport capacity issue.

“I welcome the decision by Bus Éireann to extend the age limit to 72 for drivers of smaller vehicles on a trial basis. However, I am very disappointed that Bus Éireann has no plans to amend the age limit for drivers of larger vehicles.

“The reality is that most school transport services are operated using larger vehicles — generally 16-seater buses or larger. Therefore, this change will make little or no meaningful impact on the availability of drivers for the majority of school transport routes.

“We have private bus operators who already allow suitably qualified and medically fit drivers over the age of 70 to operate larger passenger vehicles. I believe there is a strong case for Bus Éireann to adopt a more flexible, evidence-based approach, provided appropriate medical and safety requirements are fully met.

“The Road Safety Authority has now completed its review of the upper age limit for drivers of larger vehicles. I believe Bus Éireann should carefully consider the findings of that review and engage further with operators and stakeholders before ruling out any change.

“We need to do everything possible to increase the pool of available school transport drivers. This is particularly important in rural areas, where families can be heavily dependent on school transport and where securing sufficient drivers can be challenging.

“I will continue to raise this issue with the Minister and Bus Éireann. While the extension for smaller vehicles is welcome, we need a solution that actually addresses the type of vehicles predominantly used to provide school transport.”

The two-year trial for drivers of smaller vehicles will commence at the beginning of the 2026/27 school year and run until the conclusion of the 2027/28 school year. Drivers over 70 will be required to undergo an additional six-monthly medical fitness assessment, with compliance monitored by Bus Éireann.