Galway West Independent TD Noel Grealish has called for a lifting of the “ageist and insulting” age cap which means school bus drivers are not allowed to continue working once they turn 70.
He said that senior Government figures showed support but must take action immediately. He added that two years ago, the age at which drivers renewing their licence to drive a car must provide a medical report was increased by the Government from 70 years of age up to 75.
“Surely that’s a recognition of the changing pattern of people living longer and, most importantly, living longer in good health, and a confirmation that drivers aged 70 and over are fit to be on our roads. So why are fully licensed and experienced drivers suddenly considered incapable of driving a school bus once they reach their 70th birthday? It’s ageist and insulting to people who have built up a huge amount of experience of safe driving.
“The Minister for Education keeps trotting out the same response when asked about it, that the retirement age for school bus drivers has been set by Bus Éireann, who operate the school bus scheme but who have no plan to increase the age limit further. This is at a time when all over the country there are problems every year, caused by a shortage of drivers. During the last school year, we had more than 40 children attending St Paul’s school in Oughterard who were left without a service for months on end – it caused untold inconvenience for their parents.”
He finished his statement by adding two Senior Government figures have shown support, but that it is time for action to be taken.
