277. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of jobs that are created by the heavy goods vehicle industry; if his Department has any action plans to increase job creation in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28134/15]

My Department's Road Transport Operator Licensing Unit issues licences to operators who wish to trade for hire or reward in the road haulage sector. This sector accounts for approximately 20% of the total national HGV fleet; the majority of HGVs are operated on an own account basis and are not required to be authorised on a Road Haulage Operator Licence. My Department has no direct remit in creating jobs in the road haulage sector, but in effectively regulating the industry we would seek to create the conditions for efficiency, growth and job creation in an area that has a key role to play in the growth of the economy.