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School bus for Tipperary kids with special needs suspended due to shortage of bus drivers
Cllr Máirín McGrath says suspension of the bus transporting children from Newcastle and Ardfinnan to Scoil Aonghusa in Cashel highlights 'critical flaw' of not allowing school bus drivers over the age of 70
Reporter:
Reporter
29 Aug 2025 9:30 AM
A school bus service transporting children with learning disabilities and autism from the Newcastle and Ardfinnan communities to Scoil Aonghusa in Cashel has been suspended due to the shortage of school bus drivers, a Newcastle councillor has revealed.
Independent Cllr Máirín McGrath has expressed deep frustration over the cancellation of the Newcastle and Ardfinnan school bus route to Scoil Aonghusa following the retirement of the route's long-serving driver.
She said the route’s suspension, announced just days before the new school year, has left several families without vital transport support.
“This is not just a logistical inconvenience, it’s a serious disruption to children’s education and family life,” she declared
“Scoil Aonghusa in Cashel is a wonderful school that caters to children with special needs. Many of these families have fought hard to secure appropriate school places, and now they’re being forced to fight again, this time for transport.”
Cllr McGrath said the retirement of the existing driver, who had served the community faithfully for years, has once again exposed a critical flaw in the school transport system: the arbitrary age limit of 70 for school bus drivers.
"Under current Bus Éireann policy, drivers must retire at 70, even if they are medically fit and willing to continue.
"Bus Éireann has advertised the route for tender, but no company was in a position to apply due to the shortage of drivers holding the appropriate license. This highlights the urgent need to address recruitment challenges and rethink restrictive policies that are contributing to service breakdowns.
"Importantly, this over-70 rule applies only to private transport providers.
“The reality is that many capable and experienced drivers are being forced out of service due to an outdated policy,” Cllr McGrath continued. “A person unable to drive a school bus could be driving a bus hired privately for a school for football, swimming or tours.”
Cllr McGrath called on the Department of Transport, Department of Education and Bus Éireann to urgently review the age restriction and to extend the limit, subject to appropriate medical assessments. She also urged the Government to expedite its promised independent assessment of the policy’s impact.
She and her father Independent TD Mattie McGrath have contacted Bus Éireann, the Minister for Transport, Minister for Education and senior Departmental officials, "highlighting the impact this ridiculous policy is having on local routes and pleading for urgent action to assist affected families immediately".
“This issue is not going away. If we want to ensure every child has access to safe and reliable school transport, we must be flexible and pragmatic.
"This last minute uncertainty brings undue stress to students of Scoil Aonghusa and their families who are preparing to start or return to school, many of whom will take time adapting to the change in routine after the summer break” she added.
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