Kildare Senator says there is an ‘urgent need’ to allow those over 70 drive school buses

A Senator based in South Kildare has claimed that there is an 'urgent need' to allow those over 70 drive school buses.

Labour Party Senator Mark Wall  has called on the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, to immediately lift the prohibition on those over 70 not being allowed to drive school buses. 

Explaining his view, Senator Wall said: "There is an emergency in school transport at this time with routes cancelled and other areas with not enough bus places. 

"I am aware of at least two local routes where because of the driver turning 70, both routes are currently not operational . From talking to  colleagues up and down the country, this problem is replicated.

The Athy politician continued: "I have raised this issue with the Minister on a number of occasions to be told that there is a review of school transport underway with a report due very soon, 

"I am aware of a number of parents who have not returned to work because the school bus is not running or as in another local case, parents have been told there is no more room on the bus; the government and the Minister must recognise the urgency of this problem.

"It is an annual problem but the increase in population in places like South Kildare where I live is creating serous demand and causing untold problems for families.

Senator Wall concluded his point by saying: "Schools are back or about to go back and we need to see action now."