Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 November 2022
13. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to intervene directly with bus transport companies in relation to the current crisis in driver shortages and recruitment; the way in which the BusConnects programme can be implemented in Dublin, given the failure to retain and recruit sufficient drivers needed for the expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55704/22]
View answer23. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to address the bus driver shortage in Ireland; if he will address the delay in issuing licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55357/22]
View answerDeputy Boyd Barrett has been nominated to discuss Question No. 13, which is in the name of Deputy Bríd Smith.
I have in front of me a litany of complaints from local constituents over bus services in their area. There are horror stories about the failure of buses to turn up at all or on time, in particular Go-Ahead buses. We have had similar complaints at the transport committee, at which Go-Ahead and Dublin Bus appeared today. I put it to the Minister very simply that the reason this is happening is the inability of bus companies to recruit and retain bus workers. That is because the pay and conditions for bus workers are so poor and because of the pressure of competitive tendering imposed by the NTA, the Minister and successive Ministers for Transport.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 23 together.
I am acutely aware of the service issues currently being experienced across the public transport network in Dublin and the negative impact it is having on the travelling public. I reassure the House that I and my officials have met with senior management from the National Transport Authority in relation to these service issues and we are keeping the situation under close review.
Unfortunately, many operators are experiencing staffing difficulties at present, both as a result of Covid-19 related absences and also in relation to recruiting new drivers. The NTA is working closely with operators to try to mitigate the impacts of these staff shortages through recruitment campaigns in recent months, engagement with the RSA to expedite the testing and licence process and working with operators to minimise service cancellations. Further, in instances where operators have failed to meet the performance standards agreed in the public service obligation contracts, the NTA has applied financial penalties to those operators. The steps being taken by the NTA and operators are positive ones but it is the case that different sectors of the labour market are experiencing recruitment difficulties post-Covid 19 for a variety of reasons.
My Department has engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with regard to the potential inclusion of bus drivers on the critical skills and ineligible occupations lists which determine roles that are in critical short supply or ineligible for employment permits.
I firmly believe we need to expand our public transport offering in Dublin and across the country. We are committed to funding further expansion of public transport services next year and the details and phasing of that expansion are currently being considered. The right pay and conditions for workers are vital so that the system works for them, just as it will then work for passengers. We are committed to that as part of the overall solution to making the switch in the transport system we need to make.
Even the WHO has said that being a bus driver is one of the most stressful jobs. I think it is the third most stressful job you can have. With traffic congestion in Dublin and so on, that is made even worse.
Competitive tendering is creating a race to the bottom and Go-Ahead Ireland is the worst offender. It haemorrhaged bus drivers over the last year because pay and, particularly, conditions, including lack of work-life balance and long shifts, were so bad. That is also causing problems for Dublin Bus. When Dublin Bus workers rejected by 85% an attempt to further deteriorate their conditions, work-life balance and shifts, what was the main selling point of the company in trying to ram that deal down their throat? It was the need to compete with Go-Ahead Ireland. That is what they said. Go-Ahead Ireland is leading the race to the bottom. Competitive tendering and privatisation are creating the conditions where bus drivers do not want to join these companies. People do not want to be bus drivers because the pay, conditions, work-life balance and shifts are so flipping awful. That has to be addressed and privatisation is an obstacle to that. Go-Ahead Ireland exacerbates it and the ordinary user of bus services faces the horror stories I have in front of me concerning the 175, the 17, the 75 and the 114 not turning up, turning up hours late and so on.
I will let Deputy O'Rourke in for 30 seconds and we will have to conclude then.
Go raibh maith agat. We only have to look at what Go-Ahead Ireland and Dublin Bus said at the transport committee the other day. I have stood with Dublin Bus workers who have 40 years' experience with it; a lifetime's experience and dedication. Go-Ahead Ireland reports a 25% staff turnover annually from a staff of 500. That tells you everything you need to know. It is about the terms and conditions of employment. They need to be addressed.
Minister, apologies. We have to move on to the next slot. Unfortunately, we are out of time.
