School children could be next to face disruption as a result of the ongoing dispute at Bus Éireann after SIPTU announced that school bus drivers will be balloted for industrial action.

SIPTU said the school drivers are to be balloted, “due to the threat to their jobs resulting from the wider crisis in the company.”

The union’s sector organiser Willie Noone said the committee had decided to commence the ballot, “in sympathy and support of their colleagues in Bus Éireann.”

“Although they are employees of Bus Éireann these workers have to date not been party to the ongoing dispute at the company,” he said. “However, it is now known that their livelihoods will also be adversely affected in the circumstances that their employer is not able to continue trading.

“This leaves our members with no other option but to consider industrial action to protect their jobs and the services they provide.”

The ballot is due to be completed by the 21st of April.

Normal service resumed at Dublin Bus and Irish Rail this afternoon after unofficial pickets were put in place at a number of bus and rail depots.

Commuters were left stranded after the unapproved "wildcat" action blocked staff members from going to work.

The NBRU has admitted that a number of its members were likely involved in the unofficial picketing - however the union's general secretary has condemned the move.

The Minister for Transport earlier called it an "orchestrated ambush."