Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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268. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of South African driving licences received by the National Driver Licence Service under the driver licence exchange programme in each of the years 2021 to the end of June 2022, in tabular form; the measures that he is taking to address the delays in persons with South African driving licences obtaining their exchange; if his attention has been drawn to reports of the difficulty the transport industry is having in securing professional drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37380/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. I have forwarded the Deputy's query on the number of South African driving licences exchanged for Irish licences to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.

I am very much aware of thedifficulty the transport industry is having in securing professional drivers. This 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.

The Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group, established by my Department, published recommendations with specific regard to actions that could be taken by Government and the road haulage industry to help alleviate the HGV driver shortage (www.gov.ie/en/publication/cbbc9-logistics-and-supply-chain-skills-group). The recommendations are aimed at improving the supply issue, without undermining the working conditions and health and safety of drivers or other road users.

In addition, measures to help alleviate the driver shortage will be included in the forthcoming 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.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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269. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties workers from outside the State are experiencing in obtaining an appointment with the National Driver Licence Service in order to exchange their foreign driving licence for an Irish driving licence; if he has plans to further resource the National Driver Licence Service in order to expedite this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37381/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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A person must be resident in Ireland to exchange their recognised driving licence for an Irish licence.

I am not aware of any difficulties in obtaining appointments with the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). Appointments to attend at an NDLS office in person may be made online at www.ndls.ie or by telephone at 0818 919 090. Online licence applications may be made online at www.ndls.ie, where the applicant holds a public services card.

If there are issues with an application, NDLS customer services can be contacted at 01818 700 800.