Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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270. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the recruitment crisis currently facing the transport sector; the steps and assistance that his Department is providing to resolve the crisis and bring additional drivers into the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37382/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The driver shortage is a problem that is not just confined to Ireland; it has been a growing concern across Europe and globally for a number of years now. It is a multifaceted issue with a range of different contributing factors, including the Covid pandemic, Brexit and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which have clearly had a significant impact on the labour market for many sectors.

My Department established the National Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group in 2019, the key objective of which is to support the promotion of careers, skills development and sustainable employment in the logistics and supply chain sectors in Ireland. The Group includes haulage and logistics sector industry representatives, education, and training providers and all of the relevant Government Departments and Agencies.

Last year I asked the Group to examine the HGV driver shortage and make recommendations, with specific regard to actions that could be taken by Government and the industry. The recommendations were finalised at the end of 2021 and have been published here on the Department’s website. The recommendations are aimed at improving the supply issue, without undermining the working conditions and health and safety of drivers or other road users. The Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group, which meets quarterly, is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of these recommendations.

The promotion of education, training, careers and sustainable employment in the sector is also crucial, along with skills development and career progression for existing workers. A number of new education and training programmes have been recently developed to address the skills gap in the sector. These include the new Transport Operations and Commercial Driving Apprenticeship, which is being offered by Atlantic Technological University Sligo and which is the country’s first academic qualification linked to the profession of HGV driving.

The Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group has recently published a comprehensive overview of all of the training and educational offerings currently available, which can be found on the group’s webpage.

Furthermore, there is ongoing engagement between my Department and the Department of Social Protection (DSP), which has dedicated employer relations teams offering a range of supports and services to employers to fill vacancies including recruitment campaigns, specialised jobs fairs and through the online portal JobsIreland.ie.

Regarding recruitment of drivers from abroad, DSP organises events in the EU/EEA labour market for sectors where there are particularly acute labour shortages and recently ran such a transport-focused recruitment event.

HGV drivers from outside the EU/EEA must have a valid employment permit and a visa, if coming from a visa required state as defined by the Department of Justice. Following engagement with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the quota for employment permits for HGV drivers from outside the EU/EEA was removed in October 2021.

These drivers must also exchange their HGV drivers licence for an Irish licence. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with several countries and the Road Safety Authority, which oversees these agreements, is engaging with a number of other countries with a view to progressing further licence exchange agreements.

Labour and skills issues will be further considered in the 10-year strategy for the road haulage sector which, as outlined in the Programme for Government, will focus on generating efficiencies, improving standards, and helping the sector move to a low-carbon future.

Work on the Haulage Strategy is ongoing with a plan for further consultation with stakeholders following publication of a draft strategy in the Autumn. This Strategy is expected to be finalised and published by year-end.