Haulage operators and private bus and coach operators technically excluded from a Government support scheme must have their trading difficulties addressed according to Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne.
Recent legislation aimed to provide emergency support to members of the haulage industry excluded a substantial portion of the sector.
Businesses who are “own-account operators” and are not required to hold a haulage licence are ineligible for the Government’s support measures despite the fact that they incur the same level of increase in costs as experienced by licenced hauliers.
All operators are required to be fully compliant with the relevant legislation and must declare details of their vehicles to the Road Safety Authority.
Coach and school bus operators have also been left out of the government scheme.
Deputy Browne raised the matter with the Taoiseach saying that these sectors must be supported both for the services they enable and also the employment provided.
On March 11th a targeted and temporary grant scheme was announced that provides a payment of €100 per week for every heavy goods vehicle (over 3.5 tonnes) as listed on a road haulage operator’s licence to assist with rising costs.
