I have outlined below the key measures currently underway to address skills shortages and capacity constraints, set out under sectoral areas, where applicable.
Action 72 of the National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP) calls for an assessment of the need for increased capacity-building and access to necessary specialist skills in support of sustainable mobility delivery. To support the advancement of this action, a Skills and Capacity Shortages Survey was issued to all members of the SMP Leadership Group in June 2026.
Respondents were asked to identify and prioritise the most significant workforce-related constraints affecting project delivery, assess their impact, and propose measures to address identified shortages.
The survey also sought views on the longer-term implications for sustainable mobility objectives should these challenges remain unresolved, as well as expectations regarding future demand for critical skills and capabilities over the next five years.
The survey found that the most acute resource constraints related to project management, site engineering and site supervision roles. Shortages in specialist skills, including digital engineering, building information modelling (BIM), geographic information systems (GIS), environmental assessment and procurement were also widely reported and are contributing to broader delivery challenges across the sector.
Shortages within consultancy firms, contractors, utilities providers, environmental specialists and the wider construction sector are creating delays, increasing competition for skilled staff and contributing to delivery risks.
Two working groups, the NTA-led Transport Construction Workforce Capacity Strategy Working Group and the Department of Transport-led Public Transport Workforce Taskforce have been established to respond to this skills shortage, as well as mitigating its impact.
From a policy perspective, the Programme for Government commits to enhancing and supporting a skilled workforce to maintain and operate public transport vehicles.
To advance this policy commitment, the Department chairs the above Public Transport Workforce Taskforce, which brings together representatives from a number of Departments, including the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, relevant agencies, public transport operators, unions, and training bodies.
The Taskforce is tasked with identifying the key factors contributing to recruitment challenges for State transport services and developing practical measures to support a sustainable pipeline of drivers, mechanics, and craftworkers. The Department is continuing to engage with stakeholders, with a view to publishing an action plan in the coming weeks.
In addition, in exercise of its statutory functions for public transport infrastructure and planning as set out in the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority is currently preparing a workforce capacity strategy. The purpose of this strategy is to help ensure sufficient labour supply to deliver the major public transport infrastructure projects set out by the Government in the National Development Plan. Given the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct, detailed response on the development of the strategy.
Where aviation is concerned, recruitment and retention of air traffic controllers (ATCOs) is a recognised challenge both in Ireland and internationally. AirNav Ireland has an ongoing expansive recruitment and training plan in place to recruit and train student controllers and direct entry controllers (qualified air traffic controllers from other states). AirNav Ireland’s recruitment plan aims to reach an ATCO complement of 348 by 2027 to meet the growing demands of the aviation sector.
In terms of regional and local roads, the employment of staff is solely a matter for local authority and the Department has no input into recruitment, it is a matter for each local authority to identify shortages and remediate them.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you in relation to national roads investment. Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply.
Please contact my private office if you have not received a response from the TII and the NTA within 10 working days.
