Before I start, a Cheann Comhairle, you might allow me to congratulate Tina Marie Barrett on securing a school place for her child, Michael Joseph, for this coming September. Following 16 rejection letters and the matter being raised here a number of times, he has secured a place.

That is no problem, Deputy, but in your time.

Thank you.

There is a serious shortage of bus drivers in this country, yet we continue to insist on an ageist policy on this issue. Drivers over 70 years of age are not allowed to drive school buses, yet these same drivers can drive a bus to the school, pick up students and take them to a football match, a swimming lesson or a school tour. The policy makes no sense. Age is no barrier to employment, whether it be as a TD or a bus driver. I am 74 years of age, and my colleague on the Government benches, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, is two years my senior. I am sure, and indeed I hope, that no one would suggest we are not capable of doing our jobs. This issue has been raised a number of times in the Chamber and I ask that it be dealt with seriously and urgently.

There is a clear commitment in the programme for Government to review the current policy that you cannot drive a school bus over the age of 70. There have been reasons set out as to why that is the case but it is important we review it. We have approximately 7,900 buses across the country that bring children to and from school every day but we need more. We need to be able to fulfil our commitment to expand that school transport scheme by 100,000 students. Of course, that will require not just more buses but more drivers. This is something I and the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, will be looking at but we will have to engage with the Minister for Transport to see if any changes can be made.