Joint Committee on Transport and Communications to meet to discuss issues regarding Bus Driver Recruitment

The meeting will hear from representatives from:

·       Bus Éireann

·       Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC)

·       Dublin Bus

·       Go-Ahead Ireland

Committee Leas-Chathaoirleach Senator Gerry Horkan said: “our meeting tomorrow will allow the Transport Committee members to engage with the main stakeholders involved in the provision of bus services in Ireland to get as much detail as possible on what they have implemented to address the recruitment and retention issues currently being experienced and to hear about any barriers or blockages that are making it difficult to recruit and retain drivers.

We will also seek an update from all operators on their continuing public recruitment campaigns. We are aware that government recently changed work permit rules to make it easier to hire bus drivers from outside the EU. We will be seeking tangible information that all the recruitment campaigns currently in train are producing the results necessary to provide the people of Ireland now and into the future with a reliable and comprehensive improved Public transport service.”

The meeting in Committee Room 2 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

The Joint Committee on Transport and Communications  has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.