Suspended Tipperary school bus service for children with special needs has resumed

A school bus service for children with special needs attending Scoil Aonghusa in Cashel that was suspended last week due to a difficulty in securing a bus driver, resumed this morning (Wednesday, September 3).

That’s according to Independent Newcastle Cllr Máirín McGrath who had highlighted the plight of the children with learning disabilities and autism living in the Newcastle and Ardfinnan areas whose school bus service wasn’t available when they returned to school last Friday as Bus Éireann hadn’t been able to secure a contractor due to a shortage of bus drivers.

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Cllr McGrath said she was delighted to get confirmation from some of the families affected that their children set off on the school bus this morning. She understood Bus Éireann secured a new private bus contractor to take on the route.

“It's a great comfort and relief for the families and their children that they return back into the daily school routine. It's good that a new contractor could take on the route,” she said.

Children from eight families in the Newcastle and Ardfinnan areas were impacted by the suspension of the school bus service.

Cllr McGrath said the uncertainty surrounding the service and then its suspension created “unnecessary stress” on these families in the lead up to the start of the new school year.

The difficulty with the bus service arose after the the retirement of its previous driver who Cllr McGrath said “served the community faithfully for years”.

“Bus Éireann advertised the route for tender, but up to the start of the school term last Friday no company was in a position to apply due to the shortage of drivers holding the appropriate license,” Cllr McGrath explained.

She said the situation highlights the urgent need to address recruitment challenges and rethink restrictive policies that are contributing to service breakdowns.

Cllr McGrath specifically cited the age limit of 70 for school bus drivers as a “critical flaw” in the school transport system that needs to be abolished.

"Under current Bus Éireann policy, drivers must retire at 70, even if they are medically fit and willing to continue.”

She pointed out the over-70 rule only 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“The reality is that many capable and experienced drivers are being forced out of service due to an outdated policy,” Cllr McGrath continued.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.

Cllr McGrath 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.”

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