Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I am not taking away from the crisis for the sector, but just to outline what the Government has done, in budget 2020, arising from Brexit challenges, the marginal rate of compensation relating to the diesel rebate scheme was doubled. That increase has been maintained since. In budget 2022 there was an expansion of the accelerated capital allowance scheme for gas vehicles and refuelling equipment. There is also the alternatively fuelled heavy-duty vehicle purchase grant scheme of March 2021 which had a significant uptake within the sector. That is not to take away from the points the Deputy is raising in respect of the impact on the haulage sector. I will be the first to say there are no alternatives for hauliers at the moment. Decarbonisation is critical and they have said they are up for that. We are dealing with a crisis in fuel prices. There are extra pressures as a result of what is happening in Ukraine. I and the Minister, Deputy Ryan, are engaging with the sector and considering what can be done to provide reliefs for hauliers, who are under particular stress at the moment.

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