Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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200. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of 27 October 2022, if his Department is liaising with the public employment service of the Department of Social Protection in relation to consideration being given for the role of bus driving to be added to the critical skills list (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54835/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I am aware that all bus operators are having major difficulties in recruiting sufficient drivers at present and that this is impacting both the operation of the existing bus routes and the introduction of new routes.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) is working with operators to try and mitigate the impacts through:

- Driver recruitment campaigns;

- engagement with the RSA regarding the testing and licence process for new bus drivers; and

- by working with the operator to minimise service cancellations, ensure first- and last- service buses operate and on low-frequency routes to avoid, where possible, the cancellation of consecutive low frequency services.

In addition, my Department are currently engaging with the Department of Enterprise in relation to work permits for bus drivers from non-EU and non-EEA Countries.