New strategy launched to tackle public transport staff shortages
Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to tackle staffing challenges across the national transport network. The initiative aims to boost recruitment, enhance training pathways, and improve staff retention to support major infrastructural expansions over the coming years.
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⏱️ 1 min read
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien recently launched People Moving People: Public Transport Workforce Taskforce Action Plan 2026–2029, a strategic roadmap designed to strengthen recruitment, training, and retention across the national transport sector. Developed by a dedicated taskforce established in 2025, the initiative responds to growing demands for drivers, mechanics, engineers, and craftworkers as Ireland invests heavily in expanded bus, rail, and rural transport networks.
The newly introduced framework outlines measures to remove entry barriers while upholding rigorous safety standards, alongside initiatives focused on career progression and staff retention. A central pillar of the strategy involves promoting diversity and inclusion, with targeted efforts to encourage women and individuals from underrepresented communities to pursue long-term careers in the industry, thereby building a resilient talent pipeline for future services.
Highlighting the importance of cross-sector cooperation, the Minister emphasised that tackling these workforce pressures requires ongoing collaboration between transport operators, government departments, training providers, and trade unions. Stakeholders will continue to oversee the implementation of the programme to ensure reliable, accessible, and sustainable mobility solutions for communities nationwide.
The newly introduced framework outlines measures to remove entry barriers while upholding rigorous safety standards, alongside initiatives focused on career progression and staff retention. A central pillar of the strategy involves promoting diversity and inclusion, with targeted efforts to encourage women and individuals from underrepresented communities to pursue long-term careers in the industry, thereby building a resilient talent pipeline for future services.
Highlighting the importance of cross-sector cooperation, the Minister emphasised that tackling these workforce pressures requires ongoing collaboration between transport operators, government departments, training providers, and trade unions. Stakeholders will continue to oversee the implementation of the programme to ensure reliable, accessible, and sustainable mobility solutions for communities nationwide.
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