Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Tánaiste to address an anomaly that is occurring in Tipperary and across the country. Experienced drivers are being forced to stop driving school buses once they reach 70. It is not viable for younger people to obtain a D licence due to the costs involved so the bus and coach industry is losing out due to this ridiculous age restriction. A significant number of drivers on school runs are retired people who choose to work part time. This type of work lends itself to such employees. The irony is that drivers who are over 70 can continue to work in the private hire sector once they are annually certified as medically fit to do so. We have a situation where drivers over 70 can drive a full-size bus to the UK or any part of Europe but they cannot do a school run. They can also work for State bodies such as Transport for Ireland, TFI. There is a staggering contradiction here that needs to be addressed. I urge the Tánaiste to ask Bus Éireann to review its policy and to restore the dignity and respect for drivers reaching 70 years of age.

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