Written answer
Haulage Industry
Over 4,400 applications were received, with outcomes issued to 3,400; remaining applications require clarification, while final refusals and payments await completion of assessments and appeals.
300. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding paid to date with regard to the road transporters support scheme; the number and percentage of applications which have been refused; and the grounds for refusal. [65380/26]
Comment on this
358. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Transport when outstanding payments under the road transporters support scheme will be paid to eligible haulage operators; the number of approved applicants still awaiting payment; and the total value of payments yet to issue, particularly in light of the renewed increase in fuel prices. [65796/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 300 and 358 together.
Over 4,400 applications were received under the Road Transporter Support Scheme, in respect of 31,509 vehicles. My Department has issued assessment outcomes to over 3,400 applicants.
My officials are in contact with the remaining applicants who are yet to receive their assessment outcome. Some applications were missing some of the required information necessary to process the application, or contained errors. Applicants are being allowed to correct their applications so that the assessment process can be completed.
It will not be possible to provide a definitive figure for the number of applications ultimately refused payment on the basis that vehicles did not meet the eligibility criteria until the assessment of all applications have been completed, and the appeals process has concluded.
A further 120 requests to submit a late application were received from potential applicants who could demonstrate that circumstances outside of their reasonable control prevented them from applying for support during the original application window. My Department will assess these requests over the coming days.
Details of the appeals process for the RTSS will be made publicly available on the Department's website shortly and the process itself will open soon thereafter. All applicants have a right to submit an appeal if they were not granted support on foot of their original application.