Bus Éireann’s mandatory retirement age of 70 is nonsensical and illogical according to a Tipperary TD.
Fianna Fáil’s Ryan O’Meara raised the issue in the Dáil saying driver shortage could see some school routes left vacant next September.
The North Tipperary Deputy has called for swift action to avoid a school transportation crisis.
“I’m being inundated with calls this week from bus operators and bus drivers themselves in relation to this issue. They now feel we’re going to be facing into a crisis next September in terms of filling school bus routes to get our children to Primary and Secondary school.
“I spoke to one bus driver and they will have to refuse two bus routes next year because they cannot get anyone to fill them. I spoke to another operator who has nine mandatory retirements coming this year and they do not see anyone that can fill those routes.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin accepted the need for the situation to be tackled and undertook to examine the issue.
“I actually agree with you Deputy and I do think this needs to be reviewed and I will ask the Minister involved to do that. Age on its own – chronological age – doesn’t determine a persons health or fitness at all.”
