From enquiries made by my officials with SOLAS, I understand that 375 bus drivers and 432 Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) Drivers successfully completed their training programmes throughout the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in 2021 and that a further 69 bus drivers and 175 HGV drivers commenced training programmes in 2021 which are ongoing. A breakdown of the numbers on a county basis is set out in the following table.
Kildare
|
19
|
0
|
13
|
16
|
Kilkenny
|
24
|
8
|
0
|
0
|
Laois
|
0
|
0
|
12
|
0
|
Leitrim
|
16
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Limerick
|
5
|
0
|
8
|
0
|
Longford
|
0
|
0
|
12
|
0
|
Louth
|
13
|
11
|
15
|
0
|
Mayo
|
22
|
0
|
8
|
8
|
Meath
|
0
|
0
|
13
|
7
|
Monaghan
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Offaly
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
24
|
Roscommon
|
0
|
12
|
10
|
0
|
Sligo
|
7
|
0
|
0
|
16
|
Tipperary
|
27
|
0
|
26
|
12
|
Waterford
|
12
|
0
|
21
|
12
|
Westmeath
|
17
|
0
|
27
|
22
|
Wexford
|
0
|
8
|
16
|
14
|
Wicklow
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Total
|
375
|
69
|
432
|
175
|
I would encourage any prospective learner to contact their local ETB directly in order to obtain information regarding application procedures for these courses. Further information can also be obtained from www.fetchourses.ie.