School Transport
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-18
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Linda Nelson Murray (FG), Industrial and Commercial Panel

There have been far more than three incidents between 2025 and 2026. I would be happy to work with the bus driver and produce a proper list for the Department so it can see how bad the situation is. I know there is a rule whereby buses should not be older than 20 years, but they do not need to be that old. We speak about it being hard to recruit bus drivers. We have a precious one called Linda who drives this route, and also gets out of the bus to check the engine. We will not get people like that if we do not give them a good bus. We need newer buses and more mechanics, as the Minister of State acknowledged. I have first-hand experience of this and realise things need to be changed.
I specifically ask that the bus route be given one of the new school buses. I also ask for serious investment in school buses. Children are our precious cargo and our future and we are putting them into piles of junk to get to school. I am sorry; I do not normally use language like that but that is all our school bus is. I never advocate for increasing the cost of anything. A bus ticket costs about €50, which is unbelievable value. However, it is not unbelievable value if the bus keeps breaking down. Where people can afford it, should we try to increase the cost of the ticket, but not by a lot? Would that help to ensure there are more buses on bus routes around the country? As I said, it is very good value. I trust that the Minister of State will bring this matter back to the Minister.
Can I be assured that this specific route will be considered favourably for a new bus for the children and for Linda, the bus driver?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:44+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-18