Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that he is personally in favour of allowing workers such as bus drivers, to continue working past the age of 70 if they are fit for the job and have a desire to continue in their employment.
The Taoiseach’s remarks were in the context of a request from Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan who called on him to instruct the Minister for Transport to consider revising the current policy.
“While I accept the Minister for Transport is not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport and public transport companies such as Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus or Iarnród Éireann, he does have statutory responsibility for overall policy in relation to public transport,” Deputy Nolan said.
“In that context I have asked the Taoiseach to intervene with minister Ryan to urge him to revise the current policy of mandatory retirement for drivers who reach the age of 70 despite being in possession of a full PSV licence, a full driver licence and who are certified as medically fit to drive.
“This is an issue that has been raised with me by a significant number of drivers in the constituency, many of whom enjoy their jobs and who want to keep working and remain actively and constructively employed.
“This should also apply to drivers who have been working as contractors with Bus Éireann but who are also currently required to retire at 70.
“The current approach is discriminatory and counter-productive and it needs to be changed.
“Information previously supplied to the Dáil confirmed that it is normal Bus Éireann company policy for all Bus Éireann staff to retire at 66 years.
“However, Bus Éireann part-time School Bus Drivers and drivers nominated by private operators who operate service as part of the School Transport Scheme may continue in their role provided they hold the requisite license and satisfy an annual medical examination until age 70.”
“I know that this policy was revised a number of years ago to allow for the age limit to be raised to 70, but I certainly think we need to take a fresh look at it once again in order to allow those who want to work to continue to do so,” Deputy Nolan concluded.
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