Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
341. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if bin and waste collection companies will be eligible to apply for the road transporters support scheme; if they are eligible, would a communication to their customer base informing them that they are increasing service subscription costs due to rising fuel costs disqualify them from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34284/26]
View answerThe Road Transport Support Scheme (RTSS) is a package of supports primarily directed at the road transport sector given its importance to the wider supply chain, businesses and communities throughout Ireland. The scheme was brought to Cabinet on Tuesday, 28 April and details of the scheme were announced at a press conference on Wednesday, 29 April and will be administered by the Department of Transport.
The RTSS will be available to both licensed road haulage operators and the own account sector, in respect of certain heavy goods vehicles (over 3,500kg in laden weight) where the vehicle is used in the haulage business (the carriage of goods by road).
Licensed road passenger operators, subject to certain criteria, will also be eligible for support under the RTSS.
As payments will be backdated to 01 March 2026, all applicants must meet the following conditions as of that date:
be the holder of a road haulage operator licence issued by the Department of Transport; or
where the applicant is not normally required to hold a road haulage operator licence, an operator whose normal commercial activity relates to the carriage of goods by road; or
be the holder of a passenger operator licence issued by the Department of Transport.
In all cases, payments will only be made to operators where the vehicle for which they seek support is registered on the Department of Transport's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) database, with motor tax paid and with a valid Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) certificate.
My Department is developing an electronic application and processing system to facilitate payments under the RTSS. The scheme will open for applications in the coming weeks and payments will be backdated to 01 March 2026. Further details will be announced as soon as possible.
