Lowry welcomes review of ‘shambolic’ school transport scheme

Welcoming the government's decision to review and revise the regulations and eligibility for the School Transport Scheme, Deputy Michael Lowry told the Tanaiste on Thursday that the Scheme has been a shambles for years.

‘The Scheme is not fit for purpose’ he said, ‘it needs a radical overhaul. From my experience across Tipperary, it is riddled with anomalies and inconsistencies.

'The rigid interpretation of the rules and regulations have deprived hundreds of children of access to School Transport. Every September we have chaos – a scramble for tickets, which in many cases becomes divisive and contentious’ he said.

The Tipperary Deputy once again referred to the chronic shortage of qualified bus drivers, describing it as an established contributor to the struggle to provide places on school buses. It is inexplicable, he said, that a qualified Bus Driver over 70 years of age cannot drive a school run, but the same driver can travel with a Private Bus throughout Europe and the continent.

‘This nonsense must stop’ he said, we need drivers in rural Ireland to allow bus providers to maintain a service. Standing down healthy, qualified, experienced and careful drivers is illogical. It is an outdated and ageist policy by Bus Eireann that should and must be scrapped’ he declared.

Saying that the Review will be the most comprehensive reform of the School Transport Scheme since the foundation of the State, the Tanaiste, Michéal Martin, acknowledged the points raised by Deputy Lowry.

On the issue of Qualified Bus Drivers over 70, the Tanaiste said the suggestion is that perhaps that an Independent Medical Review could enable the unblocking of this position as has been the case in CIE. ‘I take your point’ he told Deputy Lowry.