Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In order to prevent a shortage of school bus drivers this August or, as it may be in some cases, September when schools reopen, I call on the Government to intervene immediately with Bus Éireann and the RSA, which advises on policy, to try to deal with the current policy whereby people cannot remain on as drivers after reaching 70 years of age. The policy is discriminatory and counterproductive and will mean that we will have a shortage of drivers if we do not act now. As far back as March, I wrote to the transport committee asking for Bus Éireann to appear before it, but to the best of my knowledge, there has been no progress. Will the Government intervene now? If 70-year-olds are medically fit, they should be given the choice to remain in the workforce. This issue needs urgent attention.

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