School bus drivers over 70
Deputy Danny Healy-Rae says Bus Éireann’s refusal to use drivers aged 70 and over is discriminatory and proposes medical assessment instead. The Taoiseach says the rule appears to be from Bus Éireann or CIÉ, not Government, and suggests annual checks may be a workable solution.
Bus Éireann has the contract for delivering the school bus transport system, which takes all of our national and secondary school children to schools. It is a fact that there is a scarcity of school bus drivers. However, drivers of 70 years of age are no longer considered by Bus Éireann. It will not allow them to drive buses. Of course the safety of children is of paramount importance. There is discrimination against men and women when they become 70 years of age. They can drive lorries and buses all over the country. It is ironic that they can drive the same children to a football match, a picnic or whatever after school.
Comment on this
They can drive in a private capacity. I will say one thing: it could be a condition that they would be medically assessed by doctors appointed by Bus Éireann.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy. I have been trying to get to the bottom of this for more than a year now. I have not received a straight answer or an adequate explanation. It would appear to be a Bus Éireann or CIÉ rule rather than a Government rule because we allow people to drive lorries into their 70s. People can be Members of this House into their 70s or 80s. It is not about age; it is about someone's physical or mental capacity. I agree that a workable solution might be an annual check of some sort, as the Deputy mentioned. I think it may be a Bus Éireann rule that is tied in some ways to industrial relations agreements, pensions and so on. I am trying to get to the bottom of it.