A Monaghan Senator is calling for changes to be made when it comes to Bus Éireann drivers who are forced to retire at the age of 70.
Robbie Gallagher is calling for the current rules to re-examined as it "discriminates" against people who are capable of providing a valued service.
The Fianna Fail representative says many people feel it is unfair that drivers are not able to continue to drive a bus after their 70th birthday.
He told Northern Sound; "These people are perfectly fit and healthy, are medically assessed and are licensed to drive a bus, yet they cannot do so due to Bus Eireann's one-size-fits-all policy, which basically means that people aged 70 years and older are considered unfit to drive a bus.
Senator Gallagher also raised this issue recently in the Seanad where he was informed that the Road Safety Authority has completed a survey in relation to the matter. He is hopeful that a review of this matter will allow over 70s who have a full license and who are medically fit to continue to drive school buses.
He told Northern Sound; "The Road Safety Authority, under the remit of the Department of Transport, committed to reviewing the upper age limit for drivers as it relates to larger vehicles and school buses. This review is now complete. Under the new programme for Government, we have committed to "Carry out an independent assessment on the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from the School Transport Scheme. The Minister will be engaging with the Minister for Transport and with Bus Éireann to advance this."
