Arthur Morgan
Question:69 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of Bus Átha Cliath buses that can accommodate passengers with impaired mobility. [23432/08]
Other Questions.
Public Transport.
All buses purchased by Dublin Bus since 2000 are low-floor and wheelchair accessible. I understand from the company that over 72% of buses in the Dublin Bus fleet are now in this category. This figure will increase each year as the bus fleet is replaced and expanded and all buses will be accessible by 2012 in line with Transport Access for All, my Department's sectoral plan under the Disability Act 2005, a copy of which is in the Oireachtas Library.
The Minister did not acquire a hybrid car so the House cannot really expect him to get an electric one although he is supposed to lead the way in these matters.
I understand that at the end of last year about 60% of the Dublin Bus fleet was accessible. The target date is 2012. Will that target be met? The Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, will have some knowledge about complaints in various parts of the city that some bus garages, for instance, Clontarf, did not seem to be getting their fair share of the new, accessible and most impressive looking buses by the end of last year. Has the Minister spoken to Dublin Bus about this to ensure that the new fleet is brought into place throughout the region? People with disabilities have suffered in this regard because of ideological reasons because there was no will to go forward with the additional fleet for Dublin Bus until the present Minister took office. If that fleet had been renewed as the company wished it to be, we would now be much further down the road to full accessibility. Is it not the case that the Government is responsible for opposing its own strategy on disability?
People around the country have expressed concerns to me about the Bus Éireann fleet. Some, including drivers, have said that although big, new impressive buses are now in use these buses are not completely accessible. There are difficulties with them although they have other strengths. Does the Minister have concerns about the Bus Éireann fleet?
I do not agree with the Deputy's point. The plan for roll-out of accessible buses is in accordance with the commitments given under Transport 21, the national development plan and transport access for all plan. It is on time and living up to those commitments. That document is out for consultation at present and the target date for its finish is 2012. I have no reason to believe that we will not make that deadline. Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and CIE are to be commended on the way in which they are handling transport access for all and my Department's sectoral plan and trying to implement them. I join Deputy Broughan in complimenting them in this regard.
The Bus Éireann city fleet in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford are all low-floor and wheelchair accessible. There was a problem until recently concerning availability of accessible coaches suitable for inter-city and long-distance services. The company had not kept pace with the availability of such buses for urban services so to a certain extent our country cousins were losing out as a result. The reason for that was that coaches were built to allow for underfloor luggage space so that passenger entry was by way of steps and a narrow doorway. That has now been rectified and accessible coaches are being manufactured and becoming available. Since last year all Bus Éireann coaches are accessible just as its buses are.
There is an issue concerning bus stops about which there must be consultation with certain local authorities. Perhaps the Deputy adverted to this matter. Specific provision must be provided at bus stops so that low-floor wheelchair accessible vehicles may use them. There is ongoing dialogue with some local authorities to try to ensure that this is done
Rural Transport Services.
Jack Wall
Question:70 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Transport the amount of money allocated to community transport schemes in the past three years; the amount of money allocated to such schemes in 2008; if he will increase the range and quantity of such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18823/08]
Willie Penrose
Question:134 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure, with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, that the rural transport project is funded on a less ad hoc and temporary basis; if he has plans to introduce a more comprehensive rural transport scheme; when the pilot cross-Border rural community transport scheme will be initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23319/08]
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:413 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the amount his Department has spent on the rural transport initiative since 2007; his projected spending for this initiative up to 2013; the plans he has to expand this programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22714/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 70, 134 and 413 together.
The rural transport programme, RTP, administered on behalf of my Department by Pobal, put the pilot Rural Transport Initiative 2002-2006 on a permanent basis from February 2007. Reflecting the Government's intent for the programmed development of rural transport, Towards 2016 provides for increases in the annual RTP allocation over time to about €18 million and the National Development Plan 2007-2013 commits €90 million to the programme over its full term.
My Department provided €4.5 million for the pilot rural transport initiative in 2005 and €5.1million in 2006. In 2007 €9 million was provided for the new rural transport programme and €11 million is being provided for the programme in 2008. This additional funding is delivering greater frequency of existing services, much wider geographical coverage, and additional groups of passengers accessing rural transport.
Funding is also available to the RTP from the Department of Social and Family Affairs in respect of the free travel scheme. I understand that €750,000 was made available to the RTP in 2005, €850,000 in 2006 and €1.5 million in 2007. I am informed that the 2008 allocation is €1.5 million.
I understand from the Department of Community, Rural, and Gaeltacht Affairs that its night-time rural transport scheme, which is also administered by Pobal, was set up in May 2007 on a pilot basis for one year. However, the scheme has now been extended to end 2008 at which stage it will be reviewed. I am informed that the initial commitment for the pilot year was €500,000 and that a further €360,000 has now been committed. The local groups involved with the night-time scheme are also rural transport programme groups. Their involvement, together with Pobal's, in both schemes ensure an integrated approach in areas where the two schemes are operating.
Preparations for a pilot cross-Border rural community transport exercise in counties Fermanagh, Tyrone and Cavan under the auspices of the North-South Ministerial Council are progressing with a view to commencing the pilot service towards end 2008.
Does the Minister agree that the funding provided for rural transport up to a year or two ago was absolutely derisory? The amount is still incredibly small given the number of projects that could be supported.
We have heard presentations at the Joint Committee on Transport, such as that of OK Community Transport, which covers Offaly and Kildare. The Minister is supporting groups in west Cork and the Meath Accessible Transport Project, in addition to groups in Kilnaleck, Sligo, Donegal, and Laois. Given that there is considerable interest in the programme, is the response from Government not derisory? The Minister referred to the evening rural transport scheme. Could he not establish it on a permanent basis?
Do the problems associated with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs not constitute the other side to the debate on trying to support rural communities? Would the Minister consider having a national system of targets to increase service provision such that an increasing number of rural householders would be within a tenminute walk of an hourly or even more frequent bus service, as in the United Kingdom? Will he ask CIE and Bus Éireann to devise, with local service providers, a national network including every town and townland in an effort to provide the national public service network to which we are all entitled, regardless of where we live, be it at the tip of the Beara peninsula or just outside this House? Is this area of his portfolio not important enough for him to take very significant action?
I agree with Deputy Broughan that it is an important area of transport policy. It is also an important area of social policy, including social inclusion policy, and local community policy. I do not agree with him — it would not be strange for us to disagree on something or other — that the amount in question is derisory. We put the scheme in place as a pilot scheme to see how well it would work. Very often we are criticised for proceeding with grandiose schemes without first putting in place pilot schemes to determine whether they work in practice. The scheme in question is progressing well. I referred to the allocation of an additional €2 million this year, amounting to a total allocation of €11 million, the allocation of €9 million in 2007, €6 million in 2006 and €5 million in 2005. The scheme is progressing in a very staged way and we are committed to it. I hope, notwithstanding the financial difficulties we face, that we will continue to commit to it because I agree with the Deputy that it is extremely important.
On the question of the night-time rural scheme, my answer is probably the same. It is important that we determine how well it works. Many of the rural transport projects fit neatly together and this is important. I am not sure I agree with the Deputy that we should ask CIE, or Bus Éireann specifically, to start devising some scheme for a national network. This is not to say anything against CIE because it has its own job to do.
One of the strengths of the rural transport programme is that it involves local groups that know their local communities' needs.
The leadership is not as good in some areas as it is in others.
I accept that, but if the operational decisions were decided in Dublin by Bus Éireann, or in Mitchelstown, good decisions would not be made either. Doing so would introduce rigidities to the system that would not be good. I know the Deputy is suggesting that the overall network might be good but this might defeat the purpose of what we are talking about.
I would like to see further liaison between local groups and the HSE at local level. This could be very helpful to the rural transport programme. The HSE has a considerable budget for transporting people to hospitals, etc., and there have been very successful pilot schemes in respect of the rural transport programme in conjunction with specific hospitals. This is one area in which I would like to encourage development.
I welcome this debate. There are two important aspects thereto, the first of which concerns people travelling to and from work. In this regard, consider the unofficial, illegal park-and-ride facilities at Kilmoon Cross or at the motorway outside Drogheda, or at any of the areas where rural roads meet the motorways. It is very much part of transport policy to encourage people to leave their cars at home or not to bring them into the cities, if possible. Is it worth the Minister's while considering, with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the construction of properly equipped park-and-ride facilities, particularly in the counties around Dublin where unofficial facilities are being used?
The second aspect of the debate concerns drink driving. If we are to reduce the amount of alcohol people can have, the Minister should consider initiatives under the rural transport scheme whereby the local publican can be assisted, by way of VAT refunds or other measures, in purchasing a people carrier to drive customers home. We should allow for new ways to sustain rural life. The criticism we hear around the country is that rural life is changing rapidly and that the old way of life is changing even more rapidly. The provision of rural transport, particularly to and from places of recreation at night, should be reconsidered.
I will ask officials in my Department to talk to those in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government about that point. There is considerable merit in trying to use the rural transport system to link up to major arteries and other routes, and to the public transport system. It is not possible to put buses on every single route. We will consider the advocated approach in respect of the rural transport projects.
On the Deputy's suggestion on the night service, the night-time rural transport scheme can form part of the review of the service. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has been operating it on a pilot basis. It will review it at the end of the year and that will certainly be useful.
Road Network.
Michael Noonan
Question:71 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed Dublin outer orbital route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23398/08]
Liz McManus
Question:123 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Transport if he has received the National Roads Authority’s feasibility study on the proposed Leinster orbital route; the way he envisages the construction of the Leinster orbital route will be funded; his views on whether the construction of the Leinster orbital route should be a key priority of the NRA after the completion of the national interurban road network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23283/08]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 123 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in respect of the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Act 1993 in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
In 2007, the NRA completed an updated feasibility study, which built on an earlier 2001 study, that considered, in particular, the costs and benefits of what has become known as the Leinster outer orbital route.
The updated NRA study, which was forwarded to my Department in 2007, finds there is merit in an orbital route linking Drogheda, Navan, Trim and Naas. Neither Transport 21 nor the national development plan provides any funding for such a scheme to be brought to construction in the period to 2015. The Government has already made clear, under Transport 21, that priorities for the roads investment programme, after the completion of the major interurban network in 2010, will be the Atlantic road corridor as well as the improvement of other key national primary routes and the targeted improvement of certain national secondary routes.
The Minister for Finance has indicated his determination to seek to avoid any diminution of the capital provisions already made in the period to 2015, notwithstanding the current economic difficulties. The Leinster orbital route proposal remains an important potential element of our longer-term infrastructural development. My Department will continue to liaise with the roads and planning authorities concerned to ensure that the route options are preserved free of impediment for this potential project.
From the perspective of the Minister's constituency and mine, as well as north County Dublin, this critical route must be built because, as the Minister is aware, a major proposal has been made for a new port at Bremore. It will be critical for the orbital route to be present to link together the transport links to remove all that traffic from Dublin city. Moreover, wherever the hospital services are to be located in the north east, unless connections are put in place between Drogheda and Navan, Navan and elsewhere and so on, it will be very difficult to sell a new hospital in Drogheda or wherever it may be. While this project is in the programme for Government, is it not the case that the Green Party opposes it? It is holding back on it and the commitment in the programme for Government is solely that by the end of the Government's term, if it runs to full length, it will have in place the design. No funding will be put into this route and, therefore, were the port to be built, it would not have the requisite roads to move the traffic outwards.
As I have stated previously to the Deputy, I agree with his view that this will become an important part of the infrastructure for the north east, the north Leinster area and for the city of Dublin. This is the reason I stated in my reply that my Department continues to liaise with roads and planning authorities to ensure that the route options are preserved free of impediment for the potential project.
I agree with the Deputy that the development of the port at Bremore, which would be significant, will and should have an effect on the Government's thinking on the timing of this route. While I believe the new hospital is critical for the north east, the absence of the Leinster orbital route should not delay the provision of the hospital in Navan as decided by the HSE.
Has the Minister investigated whether the project might be facilitated by a public private partnership or otherwise? Has he discussed it in detail with the NRA? As the Minister is aware, the Green Party, and Deputy Cuffe in particular, recently stated this project was not part of the Government's strategy and would not take place while the Green Party was in Government. Does the Minister or the Green Party speak for the Government regarding this important project?
The Minister will agree that the proposed port at Bremore cannot go ahead without this route as Balbriggan people have suffered greatly from overdevelopment without infrastructure. I am sure the Minister will also agree that, in this case, integral simultaneous development must take place. In light of the previous speaker's comments, I hope it is the Minister who speaks. He should give a commitment to the House that funding will be made available and that he will not follow the advice of the Green Party element of his Cabinet in this regard because it would have a highly negative impact on people.
If the Green Party does not intend to be in government after 2012, that is its decision.
It might come sooner than that.
It was never envisaged that this project would take place or would be built during the lifetime of this Government and no commitment was given to provide it in that time. Were the port of Bremore to go ahead, obviously during the associated planning process issues such as access to and from it and so on would be critical to the final decision that will be made. This certainly could make a difference to the timing of the Leinster outer orbital route.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.