Written Answers Nos. 162-176
162. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport to publish the State Action for Aviation Emissions Reduction which should have been submitted in 2021 to the International Civil Aviation Organisation. [7471/24]
View answerThe International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) initiative on State Action Plans for the reduction of CO2 emissions from international aviation aims to facilitate the path towards aviation decarbonisation and the mitigation of the impact of aviation on the global climate.
Launched on a voluntary basis by ICAO in 2010, Ireland was an early participant in the State Action Plan initiative, submitting its first Action Plan in 2012, and we remain committed to it. Ireland published an update to the State Action Plan in 2019, a copy of which is available on the Department’s website.
ICAO Assembly resolution (A40-18) requested states to submit or update existing plans by June 2021 and once every three years thereafter. Regrettably this work was delayed as resources were directed to ensuring that the aviation sector could survive and emerge from the Covid crisis.
Subsequent to this, a resolution adopted by the ICAO Assembly in October 2022 (A41-21) encouraged all States to submit voluntary State Action Plans, and to update them preferably by the end of June 2024 and every three years thereafter.
In addition to its membership of ICAO, Ireland is also a member of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) which comprises 44 Member States including all 27 EU Members. ECAC provides key supports to its members while also facilitating co-operation and collaboration on a pan-European wide basis. It develops common positions on the key aviation areas including environmental issues.
As an ECAC and EU Member State, Ireland incorporates an ECAC/EU Common Section within our Action Plan, which sets out the mitigating measures taken collectively in the ECAC/EU region. This section is submitted alongside input detailing local circumstances.
In September 2023 it was agreed that ECAC should cooperate with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to harmonise the content of the ECAC/EU Common Section with EASA’s European Aviation and Environment Report (EAER).
The EAER provides a comprehensive, accurate and objective overview of the environmental performance of the European aviation sector, the latest scientific understanding of the environmental impacts from aviation and mitigation measures to reduce these impacts. It is also required to provide recommendations on how the aviation sector could improve its environmental performance.
The harmonisation of the EU/ECAC Common section and the EAER would avoid duplication of effort and result in the inclusion of higher quality information in both.
Given the timeline for the production of the EAER, it is anticipated that the ECAC common section will be finalised in Q4 2024, and Ireland will submit an update of its State Action Plan soon thereafter.
163. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport what plans can be put in place to reduce the backlog for driving test appointments; if consideration is being given for appointments to be made available at weekends and evenings as a temporary measure to try to reduce the backlog; if the testers who were employed in 2023 are helping to reduce the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7480/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driver Testing Service.
Regarding driver testing delays more generally, the service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand. Following a request from the RSA for additional resources, last March my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers. This brings the current total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to 205, which is more than double the 100 sanctioned testing posts in June 2022.
The first tranche of new recruits was deployed last September and the national average waiting time for invitation to test has been decreasing since then. By the end of 2023 there was an increase of 41 driver testers across the driver testing service, with additional testing capacity deployed to the geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.
Driver testing is offered on Saturdays where driver testers are available to do overtime, there are also additional morning and evening test slots offered where daylight allows. This has been the case since the current backlog in driving tests started to build up. Sunday overtime is not offered as the RSA need to be mindful of working hours rules and therefore Sunday overtime would not add any additional capacity to the Driver Testing Service.
To further assist with reducing waiting times, in October 2023 a change was made to the system to allow any unused slots to be made available for anyone to take up at short notice. If a driving test is cancelled at short notice, the RSA now make this appointment available to the general public on the MyRoadSafety portal.
Sanction remains in place for the Authority to increase the number of testers to further alleviate current pressures on the service. My Department is working closely with the Authority to monitor demand and capacity requirements of the driver testing service to ensure it meets the agreed service level of average wait times of 10 weeks, which the Authority expects to achieve by mid-2024.
164. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport how many public lanes across all local authorities, which have applied for the community involvement scheme and have been approved, but are awaiting funding to complete the works for each local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7547/24]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
In 2018, the Department introduced ring-fenced funding for Community Involvement Schemes. The purpose of the Community Involvement Scheme is to facilitate local community participation in the repair of local roads. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme. Under the scheme a local community can contribute in money or in kind, for example by making labour or machinery available. While community contributions in the range 15% to 30% had been required up to 2021, depending on the mix between works and monies, the contribution rate has now been reduced to a minimum of 10% for monetary contributions and 20% for works contribution. This is more in line with Local Improvement Scheme contribution rates.
In order to allow for sufficient planning and applications for this scheme, local authorities are invited to apply for funding for Community Involvement Scheme projects for a two-year programme with the latest round of applications received in 2023 for the 2024/2025 period.
Grant allocations for 2024 have recently been released with €13m being made available to Local Authorities under the CIS grant.
The Community Involvement Scheme is purely voluntary and does not take away from the statutory responsibilities of each road authority. It is intended to be an extra option, where suitable, for local authorities and communities to address issues on tertiary roads where needed.
It is important to reiterate that the annual programme of works is decided by the local authorities, and the Minister has no role in this process.
165. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the Claregalway Inner Relief Road project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7562/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.
Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
166. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport with regard to an RSA media advertisement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7576/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the promotion of public awareness of road safety is a statutory function of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). As such, the detailed information requested by the Deputy is held by that agency.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed response and I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
167. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will reduce the toll charges on the Dublin port tunnel during rush hours in order to ensure that less traffic travels through the city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7631/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
It is important to note that in relation to the Dublin Tunnel, toll charges serve an important demand management function. The most important purpose of the Tunnel is to facilitate HGVs with safe and efficient access to the Port. To that end, the toll charges help to ensure that non-HGV traffic does not impede the transit of heavy goods vehicles to Dublin Port.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply regarding toll charges on the Tunnel. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
168. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the initiative to establish a rail service between Navan and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7632/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area, including County Meath.
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, which I approved early last year, sets out a framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period from 2022 to 2042, and it provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for Counties Meath, Dublin, Louth, Kildare and Wicklow. Having a transport strategy is vitally important to ensure we assess how the different modes can deliver for the region and also how we can sequence delivery to maximise benefits and deliver value for money.
The issue of a rail connection between Dublin and Navan was re-examined as part of the development of the Transport Strategy. That re-examination supported the development of a rail line to Navan and the final Strategy now includes delivery of the line over the medium term.
I am pleased to say that the NTA has allocated funding to Iarnród Éireann for the establishment of a design team to commence work in 2024. This work will involve the route option selection, planning and design phases of the project. Iarnród Éireann has commenced the procurement process for this preconstruction phase of the project. It is anticipated that a route options public consultation will take place in late 2025 or early 2026.
I look forward to the Deputy’s support during the public consultation phase of the project. That process will ultimately recommend a defined route and develop a preliminary business case which will need to be approved by Government before it enters the planning system.
I look forward to the rail project progressing through the design and planning stages and towards construction in the years ahead.
169. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the steps that have been taken to alleviate the driver test backlog; if tests are being carried out on weekends and evenings; if the additional testers from October 2023 are making an impact; and if so, what is this impact; if it is possible for the RSA to make temporary changes to third learner permits where they last two years rather than one, given it is not possible to achieve a test appointment within the lifetime of that permit and if he will request for the RSA to come before the Oireachtas Transport Committee in 2024 to explain the backlog. [7680/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driver Testing Service. As such, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply on the issues raised.
Regarding driver testing delays more generally, the service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand. Following a request from the RSA for additional resources, last March my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers. This brings the current total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to 205, which is more than double the 100 sanctioned testing posts in June 2022.
The first tranche of new recruits was deployed last September and the national average waiting time for invitation to test has been decreasing since then. By the end of 2023 there was an increase of 41 driver testers across the driver testing service, with additional testing capacity deployed to the geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.
Sanction remains in place for the Authority to increase the number of testers to further alleviate current pressures on the service. My Department is working closely with the Authority to monitor demand and capacity requirements of the driver testing service to ensure it meets the agreed service level of average wait times of 10 weeks, which the Authority expects to achieve by mid-2024.
I do not have plans to instruct the RSA to make a changes to the learner permit process, temporary or otherwise. A person applying for a third learner permit will have been a learner driver for four years. This matter is the subject of a wider and more comprehensive review at present by my Department and the RSA.
The Deputy should be assured that the Authority will always make themselves available to the Oireachtas upon invitation from the Committee on Transport and Communications, as they have done on a number of times in the last year.
170. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm that Go Ahead Ireland, which operates the 120 bus service from Edenderry to Dublin via Celbridge, is authorised by his Department and by the NTA to reduce capacity since around 29 January 2024 by 13 passengers through denying access to 13 seats to the rear of the coach used (details supplied). [7715/24]
View answerAs 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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
171. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will inform this Deputy whether the arbitrary reduction of capacity to the 120 bus service, which is turning the already under-capacity service into an unusable one for commuters, is in accordance with the contractual obligations under which Go Ahead Ireland operates the service. [7716/24]
View answerAs 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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
172. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if the reduced capacity of the 120 bus service has been authorised by his Department and by the NTA; if so, if he will make a statement as to why it has been authorised, as it has caused a member of the public to be unable to board this bus on several occasions, along with a number of other people who were then significantly late for work as a result. [7717/24]
View answerAs 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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
173. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport what sanctions will apply to Go Ahead Ireland if the company has been breaching its contractual obligations for the 120 bus service. [7718/24]
View answerAs 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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
174. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport what action he will take to ensure that full capacity is immediately restored on the 120 Service operated by a company (details supplied). [7719/24]
View answerAs 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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question/issue/s/request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
175. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the current lack of bus services on Sherkin Island; what actions his Department are taking to restore access to public transport on the island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7739/24]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local Link services and the roll-out of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services in County Cork, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
176. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 264 of 17 January 2024, if he will contact the Road Safety Authority and request that it urgently replies to the query in relation to an applicant for a CPC test stating that the matter was being referred to the RSA for direct reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7809/24]
View answerMy Department does not have access to individual driving licence or CPC applications and may not intervene in the application process.
Noting that the Deputy previously submitted this question for answer on 17 January, I have requested that the Authority reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of high priority and without further delay. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response with the information requested has not been received within ten days.
