Hauliers warn driver shortage could hit Christmas supplies

Ireland’s haulage industry is warning that the Christmas shopping season could face disruption unless urgent steps are taken to tackle a worsening shortage of HGV drivers.

With just over three months to go until the festive rush, Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) president Ger Hyland said the sector is struggling to keep trucks on the road, with some operators already forced to park lorries due to a lack of staff.

He warned the shortage could lead to higher grocery prices, delayed deliveries, and uncertainty about whether supply chains will hold up during the busiest period of the year.

“We are rapidly reaching a tipping point in our industry. We cannot get the drivers to keep the trucks rolling,” Hyland said.

“One Cork haulier is short 40 drivers and has lorries parked up. Every haulage company in Ireland needs at least two extra drivers such is the extent of the problem.”

Hyland said he has written to several ministers pleading for urgent intervention and accused the State of imposing needless red tape that is preventing the industry from hiring drivers from abroad.

The IRHA is calling for immediate reforms to fast-track overseas workers while also making it easier for young Irish men and women to qualify as HGV drivers.

At present, the process of securing a licence can take more than two years and cost over €1,000, according to Hyland, who described the system as unacceptable and a deterrent to new recruits.

He was sharply critical of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), saying its test regime is inefficient and too expensive.

“The RSA have not covered themselves in glory when it comes to operating an efficient and affordable driving test regime.

“We need to take the driving test system away from the RSA immediately,” Hyland said.

He also urged more women to consider careers as HGV drivers, noting that they are “grossly underrepresented” in the industry.

The IRHA president argued that chronic bureaucracy at government department level is making it “almost impossible” to bring in drivers from outside Ireland.

He pointed to mismatched requirements between the Department of Transport, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Enterprise, which he said result in delays of more than a year when hauliers try to hire overseas drivers.

“As the system is currently operating, there is a complete mismatch between the operation of the licensing exchange programme operated by the Department of Transport/Road Safety Authority, the visa requirements operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Employment Permit Schemes being operated by the Department of Enterprise,” Hyland said.

“Each of these entities apply differing rules, requirements and timescales which are not joined up or operated effectively. Bringing in drivers from abroad can take over a year.”

He added that it was “wrong” that young Irish drivers are leaving for jobs in Australia and Canada while Irish hauliers are left trying to import South African drivers to plug the gap.

Hyland said the Government has pledged to reduce red tape for business in its Programme for Government and could quickly ease the driver shortage if State agencies worked together.

“The government could solve the driver shortage in the morning if the various arms of the public sector worked together to remove the blockages that are standing in the way,” he said.

The IRHA has now called for the creation of a dedicated working group involving industry stakeholders to identify solutions and ensure Ireland’s supply chains are not thrown into crisis over the festive period.