Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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524. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the research conducted into the impact of automation on those that drive for a living. [2301/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Research on the effects of automation on drivers is a cross cutting theme and as such falls under a number of government departments, agencies and research institutions such as universities.  These include the Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI). Much research is also being conducted internationally such as through the European Union.

DBEI has responsibility for sectoral issues in the economy.  In particular, it provides the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN)  with research and secretariat support. I understand that this Group recently published a report entitled "Digital Transformation: Assessing the Impact of Digitalisation on

Ireland’s Workforce", which, inter alia, looks at the impact on transport - to which the Deputy may be referring, and may be found at .

My Department is principally involved in all matters related to road traffic law and the regulation of such vehicles.  My Department is working with industry stakeholders, other Government departments and state agencies to develop guidelines for testing of autonomous vehicles on public roads in Ireland. These will be supported by a National Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) Roadmap and Plan as well as a National Strategy for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS).