School transport driver shortage
Deputy Stanley warned of another school transport crisis because of a shortage of bus drivers and said a solution has already been agreed in principle. The Chair repeatedly intervened, and the Minister said the issue is being examined but safety concerns mean any change to driving rules must be carefully assessed.
The programme for Government contains a commitment to improve the school transport scheme, but again this year we face a shortage of drivers. We have had a shortage of drivers for the past two years but it is going to be worse this year because more pupils are coming on stream. Bus operators cannot get extra drivers. In approximately 19 or 20 weeks we will again face a crisis in school transport.
There is a solution, which I raised with the Tánaiste five weeks ago. The Taoiseach agreed with the point again this week on the floor of the Dáil. The Tánaiste and the Taoiseach are on board with the approach. Currently, those over 70 cannot drive buses under the school bus scheme. They cannot drive 15 kids to school for 8.30 a.m. or 9.30 a.m. but they can drive a 52-seat bus to Cork or Dublin on a school tour an hour later. It is a ludicrous situation. There are many drivers who have reached the age of 70 in recent weeks and months sitting at home twiddling their thumbs. Meanwhile, we have a shortage of drivers. Surely to God, what we need to do is ensure they pass a medical test, including an eye test, annually. If they pass that strict test, then we should let them keep driving until they are 75.
I have raised this issue previously and a number of others are beginning to raise it now as well. Could the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, bring this request to the Minister for Transport in order to solve the problem? I am putting forward a practical solution to the problem.
Comment on this
It is no good raising it if nothing happens. It is like playing handball against a haystack. We need to get it sorted. We must sort this issue. There is a solution.
Comment on this
The RSA, Bus Éireann, the National Transport Authority and the Department must fix this.
Comment on this
All I can tell the Deputy is that I am aware the issue is being addressed. He is not the first person I have heard make the point. I know he is aware, as I am, of the need to make sure that whoever is driving a bus with our kids in it is able to do it safely. I know he agrees with that. That is not in doubt. The Road Safety Authority wants to ensure that if we do change the age at which you can drive a school bus, it does not create additional risks for those who are driving the buses or those who are in them. The matter is being looked at but I do not know when the evaluation will conclude. I will ensure that the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, is aware of this issue and see if it can be concluded because we do need to bring it to an end.