State aid: Commission approves €18 million Irish scheme to support road haulage operators in context of Russia's war against Ukraine

The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022 and amended on 20 July 2022 and on 28 October 2022.

The scheme is a re-introduction of a measure that the Commission approved in April 2022 (SA.102559), which expired on 31 December 2022. The measure aims at mitigating the risk of insolvency for road haulage operators while ensuring the uninterrupted movement of goods by road. Under the scheme, the beneficiaries will be entitled to receive limited amounts of aid in the form of direct grants. The individual aid amount per company will be calculated based on the number of vehicles it has in operation.

The Commission found that the scheme, as re-introduced, is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, the aid

(i) will not exceed € 2 million per company; and

(ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2023.

The Commission concluded that the scheme, as re-introduced, is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules.

More information on the Temporary Crisis Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia's war against Ukraine can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the number SA.106462 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.