Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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35. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to ensure there is no disruption to the current HGV driver sector in anticipation of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14426/17]

Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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36. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to the potential damage to the economy caused by the unavailability of drivers in the HGV sector across the EU; the action being taken to ensure drivers can be recruited outside of the EU while unavailable within the EU; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that there is a severe shortage of HGV drivers in the EU; if she will consider putting the category of HGV driver on the highly skilled eligible occupations list to allow the employment permits system to operate in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14425/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 36 together.

Research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) does indicate issues regarding recruitment of HGV drivers. Meeting the demand for these drivers requires an integrated approach primarily involving labour market activation and upskilling/training.  As part of that approach, the employment permits regime offers only a short-term solution where genuine skills shortages exist.

The EGFSN recommended, as a priority, that a HGV Driver apprenticeship be developed to help address the demand for HGV drivers with the required licence. Engagement between industry representatives and education and training providers is a crucial factor in ensuring that skills needs of particular sectors are met.

Employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits which exist and are likely to continue into the short and medium term. It is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of up-skilling our resident workforce.  Where a shortage exists, changes may be made to the lists which determine the eligibility of occupations for employment permits.

Changes to access to the Irish Labour Market for specific occupations vis the employment permits system are made on the basis of research undertaken by the EGFSN in tandem with a consultation process in which submissions are sought from stakeholders on the appropriateness of the lists during the bi-annual review process. A review of the eligible listings is being finalised at present; the situation in relation to HGV drivers is under consideration as part of this review. It is expected that the outcome of this review will be available within the next few weeks.

Both the Irish and British Governments have indicated their strong desire to maintain operation of the Common Travel Area following the UK's withdrawal from the EU.