€100/week subsidy for hauliers

The government has, today (Friday, March 11^th,2022), announced details of a €100/week subsidy for hauliers.

The emergency support measure for licensed hauliers aims to address cost pressures arising from current high fuel prices, particularly due to the current conflict in Ukraine.

Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister Hildegarde Naughton have agreed a targeted and temporary grant scheme that will provide a payment of €100 per week for every heavy goods vehicle (over 3.5 tonnes) as listed on a road haulage operator’s licence.

The scheme will operate for eight weeks, and the government will review it thereafter.

The government estimates that the temporary response to extraordinary circumstances will cost the state €18 million.

€100/week for hauliers

Minister Ryan said that the measure reflects the “important” role that the haulage industry plays in “keeping the country going”.

He said the haulage sector has a “hugely important” role to play in the economy and in keeping vital goods available to people and business.

He acknowledged that the past two years have presented many challenges for the sector with Brexit, COVID-19 and now the crisis in Ukraine.

Ryan said that all these challenges have put a “cumulative” pressure on the haulage industry.

A vital role 

Minister Naughton, with responsibility for road haulage and logistics, added:

“Having met with the Irish Road Haulage Association earlier this week, it became abundantly clear that government needed to provide immediate support to a sector upon which every family, business and community so heavily relies.”

She said this measure comes after the excise reduction by the government earlier this week in response to fuel price increases.

However, she said the government is “fully” aware that a licenced haulier providing services for hire or reward, fuel costs represent a “much greater” proportion of overheads than other businesses.

“The vital role that hauliers play in the supply chain is also an important factor. These services must be protected to ensure the country can keep operating in these very challenging times.”

“I commend the hauliers for their resilience during this difficult period. I hope this measure will help alleviate some of the pressure arising for the sector at this particular time,” she concluded.