Local Fianna Fáil TD, Deputy Brendan Smith has called for a solution to be found for families left without school transport services. He told the Dáil this week that many families in Cavan and Monaghan have been left unable to access school bus places.
Deputy Smith says qualified and fit drivers aged 70 and over must be allowed to take up positions as part of a concerted effort to address the shortage of drivers. Speaking to Shannonside Northern Sound, Deputy Smith highlighted how a number of routes were handed back at the last minute by contractors because of the difficulty.
He added that Bus Éireann must review its policy not to employ qualified and fit drivers aged 70 or over. "This policy needs to be reviewed," Deputy Smith continued. "We need services on all approved school bus routes; schools have now been open again for almost a month and in some instances in some parishes, there are no school transport services.
"Minister Darragh O'Brien in response said the review of the school transport scheme is nearing completion, and that needs to be done urgently. Even though we are investing more in school transport now some students are not able to access buses to their local schools and that is something that needs to be rectified.
"Many people who are 70 years or older are very fit and well capable of carrying out those jobs. It makes eminent sense for them to be able to continue to do those jobs."
