Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am quite shocked to learn that only 5% of the school transport is provided by Bus Éireann's own fleet and 95% of the buses are contracted in. Is there going to be an increase in investment in Bus Éireann's school bus fleet? I remember the day when the vast majority of school buses were owned and run by Bus Éireann but maybe I was wrong about that. When the bus driver that used to bring my children to school reached 70 he had to retire. When he retired, the run was taken over by a private contractor. It is a pity to see that happening. Our guests spoke about driver recruitment. Are they going to address the issue of drivers having to retire at 70? That same bus driver is still driving around in his car and is quite capable of driving and would be able to drive for a private bus contractor. I do not know why he cannot drive on a public route.

The registration process this year did not take place any earlier than in other years. Every year I talk to the regional manager in Bus Éireann for my area and every year he or she is scrambling at the last minute to try to get buses for mainstream services and especially for SEN services. If the registration process took place earlier, the managers would have more time to find contractors, buses and drivers. Is there going to be an investment in the fleet and is the Department going to change the rule about drivers aged over 70?