Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that is being made in addressing shortages of HGV drivers; his plans to extend driving licence recognition to additional non-EU countries; and the timeframe for the recognition of Ukrainian licences. [46001/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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In 2019, the Department of Transport helped to establish the Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group (LSCSG) to support the promotion of careers, skills development and sustainable employment in the logistics and supply chain sectors in Ireland.

The LSCSG includes haulage and logistics sector industry representatives, education and training providers and all relevant Government Departments and Agencies.

In recent months, the Group has published its recommendations to help alleviate the current HGV driver shortage, as well as a dynamic “Overview of Existing Education and Training Provision in Logistics and Supply Chain” and a Logistics and Supply Chain Careers Brochure for 2^ndlevel Career Guidance Counsellors and students. These materials can be found on the LSCSG webpage at www.gov.ie.

Collaboration among members of the LSCSG has led to new educational opportunities – for example the recently launched Transport Operations and Commercial Driver Apprenticeship at ATU Sligo, which allows students to earn as they learn, gaining a higher education qualification as well as their professional driving qualification.

The LSCSG recently attended the World Skills Ireland 2022 event in the RDS and I had the pleasure to visit the Group’s stand at World Skills, seeing first-hand the great work they are doing to promote the sector.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to publish a 10-year strategy for the haulage sector. This Strategy will, among other things, build on and continue the work of the LSCSG in tackling the driver shortage and addressing the skills gap.

Regarding the recognition of Ukrainian licences,EU Regulation 2022/1280 allows Ukrainians residing in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive to drive here on their current national driving licences, for the period of temporary protection. All categories held on a Ukrainian driving licence are recognised.

To drive a truck or bus professionally in Ireland, a person must have a driver certificate of professional competence (CPC). The EU Regulation allows for recognition of Ukrainian CPCs, subject to the holder undergoing additional compulsory training. The RSA is developing an additional compulsory training programme.

Regarding licence exchange agreements with other non-EU countries, Ireland is engaging with North Macedonia and Argentina with a view to such agreements. Currently, clarification is being sought from the Argentinian authorities on a number of issues. The most recent response from North Macedonia is under review.