Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Tánaiste is aware, there is a shortage of bus drivers and drivers for heavy goods vehicles. This impacts on the operation of school transport services at times. Bus Éireann will not employ qualified drivers aged 70 or over. In instances where a school bus driver is off sick, Bus Éireann finds it extremely difficult to recruit a temporary replacement. There is no prohibition on a person of that age driving a bus that is not engaged in a public contract. Additional drivers are needed or we will face more problems in the next school year. I am not suggesting in any way that safety should be compromised, but surely a case could be made for a person to carry out short-term work, having undergone regular medical checks. It is an issue that should be revisited by Bus Éireann and the Department of Transport. In no way would I suggest compromising safety. There is disruption at times in the operation of the school transport service which is not tenable.

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