Increasing school bus driver age limit makes sense – Kyne / Ciall le méadú ar aoisghréasán tiománaithe bus scoile – Kyne

Increasing the age limit for Bus Éireann school bus drivers is a “common sense decision moving in the right direction”, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Seán Kyne, Fine Gael’s candidate in the Galway West bye-election confirmed the change this afternoon following discussions with Junior Transport Minister Seán Canney.

It will allow some drivers to continue working for an additional two years, addressing long standing concerns about driver shortages and service reliability.

Senator Kyne has consistently campaigned for reform of the previous age restriction, arguing that it unfairly excluded experienced and medically fit drivers.

“Today’s decision is positive and practical. We had a situation where fully qualified, experienced drivers were forced to step away at 70, regardless of their ability or medical fitness.

“At a time when families across the country are struggling with school transport capacity, it simply makes no sense to sideline drivers who are willing and able to continue working.

Senator Kyne previously outlined the blanket age limit was outdated and counterproductive, particularly given ongoing driver shortages and the demand on the school transport system.

He added the increase to 72 is welcome, however further progress is needed to ensure the limit is raised futher.

“This is an important step forward, but I believe we need to do more work to ensure the system focuses on medical fitness rather than an arbitrary age limit. Many drivers in their early 70s are more than capable of continuing safely in their roles.

“School bus drivers around the country play a vital role in rural Ireland, ensuring that children get safely to and from schools. Their experience and commitment should be recognised,” concluded Senator Kyne.

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Is “cinneadh de réir na scórtha atá ag bogadh sa treo ceart” é an t-ardú ar an teora aoise do thiománaithe bus scoile de chuid Bhus Éireann, a dúirt Seanadóir de chuid Fhine Gael.

Dheimhnigh an Seanadóir Seán Kyne, iarrthóir Fhine Gael i bhfothoghchán Ghaillimh Thiar, an t-athrú tráthnóna inniu tar éis plé a bheith aige leis an Aire Stáit Iompair Seán Canney.

Tabharfaidh sé deis do roinnt tiománaithe leanúint orthu ag obair ar feadh dhá bhliain sa bhreis, rud a thabharfaidh aghaidh ar imní fhadtéarmach maidir le heaspa tiománaithe agus iontaofacht na seirbhíse.

Tá an Seanadóir Kyne ag feachtasaíocht go seasta ar son athchóiriú a dhéanamh ar an srian aoise a bhí ann roimhe seo, á mhaíomh gur chuir sé as an áireamh go héagórach tiománaithe a raibh taithí acu agus a bhí oiriúnach ó thaobh leighis de.

“Is cinneadh dearfach praiticiúil é an cinneadh inniu. Bhí muid i gcás ina raibh iallach ar thiománaithe a raibh cáilíochtaí iomlána agus taithí acu éirí as ag 70 bliain d’aois, beag beann ar a gcumas nó ar a bhfolláine leighis.

“Ag am ina bhfuil teaghlaigh ar fud na tíre ag streachailt le hacmhainn iompair scoile, ní dhéanann sé ciall ar bith tiománaithe atá toilteanach agus ábalta leanúint orthu ag obair a chur ar an gclaí.”

Thug an Seanadóir Kyne le fios roimhe seo go raibh an srian aoise uileghabhálach as dáta agus friththáirgiúil, go háirithe i bhfianaise na n-easpaí leanúnacha tiománaithe agus an éilimh ar an gcóras iompair scoile.

Dúirt sé de bhreis air sin go bhfuil fáilte roimh an méadú go 72 bliain d’aois, ach go bhfuil tuilleadh dul chun cinn ag teastáil chun a chinntiú go n-ardófar an teora níos mó fós.

“Is céim thábhachtach chun tosaigh é seo, ach creidim go gcaithfimid tuilleadh oibre a dhéanamh lena chinntiú go ndíríonn an córas ar fholláine leighis seachas ar theorainn aoise threallach. Tá go leor tiománaithe atá go luath sna 70idí breá in ann leanúint orthu ina róil go sábháilte.”

“Tá ról ríthábhachtach ag tiománaithe bus scoile ar fud na tíre i dtuath na hÉireann, ag cinntiú go sroicheann leanaí an scoil agus go dtagann siad abhaile go sábháilte. Ba cheart an taithí agus an tiomantas atá acu a aithint,” a dúirt an Seanadóir Kyne mar fhocal scoir.