Written Answers Nos. 298-307
298. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport to indicate the extent to which adequate car parking facilities are being planned to meet the requirements now and in the future adjacent to all railway stations throughout north Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53130/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including car parking facilities at railway stations in north Kildare.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
299. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport to indicate the extent to which our regional airports can contribute to easing the through traffic at Dublin Airport, thus making it a more satisfactory experience for travellers to and from this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53131/23]
View answerThe National Aviation Policy recognises the important role that regional airports play in their areas and in regional development.
Government policy on regional airports seeks to optimise conditions for connectivity and regional development, both for the social and economic benefits that can be derived from facilitating access to and from the associated regions.
That is why Government is continuing to support eligible regional airports under the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. The current Programme provides support to Ireland’s smallest airports i.e., those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers (on average over the two preceding financial years). This year alone, €36m has been provided by Government to support regional airports and the public service obligation air service between Donegal and Dublin.
In line with national aviation policy, I am committed to encouraging regional airports to attract new business, to achieve excellence in the delivery of service and value for passengers and airlines, and to make a sustainable contribution to their respective local economies and communities.
Traffic at regional airports has rebounded strongly after the pandemic. In this regard, I am pleased to advise that passenger traffic recorded at regional airports to October this year, shows a 9% increase over the same period in 2019 (the last comparable period before the pandemic).
I believe that our regional airports will continue to have an important role to play in supporting connectivity to our island. The further growth in passenger traffic expected at these airports in the coming years will enhance this regional connectivity.
300. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport to indicate the progress being made in reducing waiting lists for NCT tests; the action that can be taken by car owners who have been unable to secure tests before their NCT expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53132/23]
View answerOperation of the National Car Testing (NCT) Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply and I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Considerable progress has been made this year to address the long-term staffing issues which caused the testing backlog and increase capacity at test centres. This includes extensive domestic and international recruitment of new vehicle inspectors, which currently number 641, with 28 further testers currently undergoing training. As of 27 November, the national average waiting period has been reduced to 11.3 days, which is within the service level agreement maximum of 12 days.
The Deputy will know that Department officials were meeting with the RSA on a weekly basis for much of the last year. The improvements in the NCT service to date mean that such regular meetings are no longer necessary. However, the Department continues to work closely with the RSA on NCT provision and the RSA continues to provide weekly updates. Monthly meetings will continue as part of RSA governance, and where pressing issues arise, meetings will be held promptly.
Although 44 test centres are now offering appointments in under 15 days, customers seeking urgent test appointments may continue to contact the NCTS directly, by calling 01-4135992 or by availing of the priority waiting list function via the NCT website, www.ncts.ie.
301. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport to indicate the extent to which he expects commuter rail passenger numbers to increase when the lines are upgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53133/23]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
I understand that Iarnród Éireann's operational fleet is fully deployed on scheduled services at present, in line with prevailing demand. However, 41 new Intercity railcar carriages (ICRs) are currently undergoing dynamic testing, with these due to enter service in 2024. As the ICRs are intermediate carriages, they will facilitate the lengthening of existing train sets. The deployment of new carriages is a matter in the first instance for Iarnród Éireann in consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has statutory responsibility for the development and delivery of certain public transport infrastructure, including the purchase of rolling stock.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
302. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport to indicate the extent to which the electrification of the Maynooth railway line is progressing; the extent to which timetables are being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53134/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport in Ireland. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ West project. In conjunction with service operators, the NTA also has responsibility for the scheduling of these rail services.
Noting the NTA and Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA and Iarnród Éireann for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
303. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport to indicate the extent to which all public transport is in the course of decarbonisation; the achievements to date in this regard; the projections for the future, including timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53135/23]
View answerAs transport accounts for a little over 20% of Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, there can be no doubt that the sector has a vital role to play in our national decarbonisation efforts. Providing meaningful alternatives to everyday car journeys, especially in our cities, is fundamental to achieving our climate objectives.
We are taking tangible steps towards meeting our ambitious decarbonisation goals for the public transport sector, including:
- Delivering new and enhanced public transport services through programmes such as BusConnects and Connecting Ireland;
- Introducing fare initiatives such as the 90-minute fare, the 20% average fare discount and the Young Adult Card;
- Issuing nearly 300,000 Young Adult Cards since they were introduced in May 2022;
- Supporting increased patronage on Local Link bus services - which is now over 51,000 every week; and
- Average daily passenger numbers on bus and rail are now above pre-Covid levels.
The recent CSO Census data shows that, while levels of transport demand are up on 2016 levels, we are seeing encouraging changes in behavioural trends and an appetite for change when the right type of investments and decisions are made at local and national level.
Given its operational responsibility in relation to the decarbonisation of public transport; the achievements to date in this regard; the projections for the future, including timelines, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the National Transport Authority for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
304. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport to indicate the extent to which he expects to be in a position to ensure that commuters in north County Kildare can rely on an increase in commuter rail capacity by one or other means over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53136/23]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
I understand that Iarnród Éireann's operational fleet is fully deployed on scheduled services at present, in line with prevailing demand. However, 41 new Intercity railcar carriages (ICRs) are currently undergoing dynamic testing, with these due to enter service in 2024. As the ICRs are intermediate carriages, they will facilitate the lengthening of existing train sets. The deployment of new carriages is a matter in the first instance for Iarnród Éireann in consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has statutory responsibility for the development and delivery of certain public transport infrastructure, including the purchase of rolling stock.
Noting Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for a more detailed reply to the specific questions asked. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
305. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport to indicate the extent to which projects that fall under his Department and are within the revised national development plan are at an advanced stage; the extent to which preliminary work has taken place or on-site works are in hand or proposed; the expected delivery date for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53137/23]
View answerThe National Development Plan (NDP) sets out the strategic investment priorities for each National Strategic Outcome and within each National Strategic Outcome for each relevant sector.
Updates in relation to the progress of individual projects and programmes can be found at the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform’s MyProjectIreland Interactive Map and Tracker available at the link below. It contains specific information on the current status of projects including project lifecycle stage aligned with the updated Public Spending Code and also columns detailing expected project construction commencement and completion dates.
Link: gov.ie - Investment Projects and Programmes Tracker (www.gov.ie).
The Deputy may wish to note that this year has seen significant progress in relation to a number of important projects under my Department across different areas of the transport system. These include the rollout of new bus services under BusConnects Dublin and Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, and the delivery of service enhancements to improve accessibility across the public transport system under the Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit Programme. There has also been significant progress in the delivery of a number of Greenways projects, including the South-East Greenway, Midelton Youghal Greenway, South Kerry Greenway and Dublin to Galway Greenway.
With regard to National Roads projects, TII and the relevant Local Authorities, with funding from my Department, have delivered the following major projects under the NDP:
- N56 Mountcharles to Inver;
- N56 Dungloe to Glenties;
- N5 Westport to Turlough;
- N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin;
- N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom; and
- M7 Naas to Newbridge Road Widening.
The following projects are currently under construction, with several close to completion: M8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange; N69 Listowel Bypass; N59 Moycullen Bypass; N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge; and M50 Enhancing Motorway Operation Services.
My Department looks forward to further engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to access further funding from the investment reserve fund to further support our NDP ambitions next year.
306. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport to indicate the extent to which extra bus shelters can be provided in Leixlip, Maynooth, Celbridge and Kilcock, an area of rapidly increasing population and reliance on public transport, given most people have to wait for public transport in the open air regardless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53157/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the national provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
307. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to upgrade the R680-682 Junction at Butlerstown, County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53180/23]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
Any new road projects that seek funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
Noting the above, my Department has not received an application from Waterford City and County Council for funding for the R680/682 Junction at Butlerstown.
