Written Answers Nos. 35-54
36. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to resolve the traffic gridlock in Dublin with particular reference to the M1 corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37886/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that, building on the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, the National Development Plan, which was launched as part of Project Ireland 2040 in February of this year, outlines a number of major investments in Public Transport in the Greater Dublin Area. Over the period leading up to 2027, the NDP will deliver the new Metrolink, the DART Expansion Programme, and BusConnects Dublin.
The NDP also includes maintenance of the current Public Transport network, fleet renewal, maintaining and upgrading heavy rail infrastructure, the appraisal and design of extending the Luas network for when and where it is needed, investment in cycling and walking facilities, accessibility upgrades, and the roll out of next generation ticketing systems.
The delivery of increased capacity, improved service quality, and greater choice in terms of Public Transport, as well as making it easier and safer for people to walk and cycle, will reduce the need for commuters to drive as their primary form of transport. Providing an attractive alternative to drivers is one of the main ways that traffic congestion in Dublin can be relieved.
The National Transport Authority meets regularly with the relevant local authorities and public transport service providers to monitor and react to traffic issues in the city and its environs, and to identify and implement service improvements. Improvements in traffic congestion require a combination of some short term measures together with a substantial programme of medium and longer term projects that will deliver sustainable alternative transport options and increased capacity.
The traveling public should see the initial benefits of the bus service redesign as part of BusConnects early in 2020. The first benefits of the DART Expansion Programme will be seen by 2022, when the fully-electrified DART line will be extended to Balbriggan, unlocking potential for increased high-frequency and higher-speed services.
The M1 corridor will significantly benefit from these investments. Though the full BusConnects programme is currently at the public consultation stage, it is expected that a core bus corridor will be developed between Swords and the city centre, to allow for faster and more efficient bus travel. The emerging preferred route of Metrolink, which is also at the public consultation stage, would see the north-south urban railway service run between Swords and Sandyford, connecting key destinations including Dublin Airport. It will deliver 25 minute journeys from Swords to the city centre, and 20 minute journeys from Dublin Airport to the city centre. Meanwhile, the DART Expansion Programme will see the DART extend to Balbriggan by 2022 and onwards to Drogheda in the following years. A series of strategically-positioned park and ride facilities will be developed alongside these investments, to open up their benefits to a wider geographical area.
37. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the quality of driver testing as carried out by the RSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37709/18]
View answerThe Driver Testing Service, provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), sets out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that driving test applicants must demonstrate if they are to pass the driving test and become a fully licensed driver. An effective Driving Test provides learner drivers with a consistent evaluation process which ensures that candidates have attained a sufficient level of competency to drive unaccompanied.
The individual assessable components examined on the driving test are set out in a series of EU directives on Driver Testing and Licensing. The current informing directive is EU Directive 2006/126/EC which sets minimum driving test standards, training and quality assurance for driver testers.
I am satisfied with the quality of driver testing being carried out by the Authority. The Authority has a Quality Assurance Policy which ensures that the practical driving test experience is of a consistent high quality, regardless of where it is carried out or who carries it out, and produces valid and reliable results.
38. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for budget 2019 in respect of disability access improvements at train stations and bus stops nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37885/18]
View answerAs part of the Capital Plan Review announced in conjunction with Budget 2018, I secured an allocation of almost €28 million for the accessibility retro-fit programme for the four year period 2018 - 2021. This represented a trebling of the previous allocation. Of this amount €7 million is allocated for 2019.
The retro-fit programme funds an ongoing programme of accessibility improvements to older existing public transport infrastructure and facilities, and it is managed by the National Transport Authority. Accessibility features, such as wheelchair access, are built into all new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage.
The increase in funding for the retro-fit programme will facilitate the continued roll-out of the programmes to install accessible bus stops, upgrade train stations to make them accessible to wheelchair users and provide grant support for the introduction of more wheelchair accessible vehicles into the taxi fleet.
I intend to improve upon that under the National Development Plan (NDP) over the next ten years and beyond. Investment in public transport will be accelerated under the NDP to support the development of an integrated, accessible and sustainable national public transport system. A number of key new major public transport programmes are proposed to be delivered under the NDP over the period to 2027 and these will be fully accessible as part of the normal design. In addition, there will be continued investment in the retro-fit programme under the NDP.
39. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether there should be an extraordinary review of Ireland's TEN-T network in view of Brexit and Ireland's changed economic and demographic situation; if he has made representations on this matter at European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37871/18]
View answerMy Department is liaising with the European Commission in relation to the TEN-T network in the context of Brexit and has raised Ireland’s concerns about the implications for connectivity and trade in light of the UK's decision to leave the EU.
Indeed the European Commission has also taken steps to prepare for this and has published a proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 1316/2013 with regard to the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, whereby the EU North Sea Mediterranean Corridor would be re-aligned in order to ensure Ireland’s continued connectivity to the rest of the continental part of the Corridor. While Ireland is in favour of the UK remaining on this Corridor and part of TEN-T, if that is not possible, we support the Commission’s preparations as this will ensure that the integrity of the Corridor is maintained, and that Ireland is not geographically isolated from the rest of the Corridor post Brexit. In a meeting with the European Commission earlier this month on this proposal, officials of my Department again raised the need for a review of the TEN-T network as a result of Brexit.
My Department will soon make a submission to the European Commission in respect of the TEN-T network, taking account of the implications of Brexit, the current National Development Plan and National Planning Framework.
In June, I met Professor Peter Balazs, the EU Coordinator for the North Sea Mediterranean Corridor, and Mr Brian Simpson, the EU Coordinator for Motorways of the Sea, where I raised concerns about the potential impact of Brexit on Ireland’s connectivity and peripherality.
In addition, the European Commission in July published a proposal for a new Regulation for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the funding instrument for TEN-T, to come into effect from 1 January 2021. At the request of my Department, the Annex to the draft proposal provides for an extension of the Core Belfast – Dublin - Cork TEN-T Corridor to include the port of Shannon Foynes and also, on cross-border sections of the comprehensive network, to include sections of the cross-border Dublin – Strabane – Letterkenny comprehensive road.
40. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the approach taken on the BusConnects proposals which have caused consternation across Dublin during the summer. [37717/18]
View answerRecent reports show that approximately 70% of people travelling into Dublin city each morning do so by sustainable transport. Well over half of all the public transport trips are by bus; some 136 million passenger journeys annually. It is no surprise then that Bus is the main component of the planned approach to addressing our current congestion problem and to meeting our future transport needs.
As those numbers grow, and as congestion worsens, it is becoming increasingly difficult to operate a reliable bus system with sufficient capacity to cater for the needs of the region. On the busiest bus routes, bus lanes are only in place for less than one third of the corridor. This means that for most of the journey, buses are competing for space with general traffic and so are also affected by the increasing levels of congestion.
Against this context, the NTA are progressing the roll-out of BusConnects commencing in Dublin. BusConnects Dublin provides the foundation to this overall transport system, with the revised bus system projected to carry the majority of passengers across the region and provide key linkages to serve the needs of Dublin into the future.
BusConnects Dublin aims to overhaul the current bus system in the Dublin region by:
- building a network of new bus corridors on the busiest bus routes to make bus journeys for passengers faster, predictable and reliable;
- completely redesigning the network of bus routes to provide passengers with a more efficient network, connecting more places and carrying more people;
- developing a state-of-the-art ticketing system using credit and debit cards or mobile phones to link with payment accounts and making payment much more convenient for the travelling public;
- implementing a cashless payment system to vastly speed up passenger boarding times;
- revamping the fare system to provide a simpler fare structure;
- allowing seamless movement for passengers between different public transport services, without financial penalty;
- implementing a new bus livery providing a modern look and feel to the new bus system;
- rolling out new bus stops with better signage and passenger information and increasing the provision of additional bus shelters; and
- transitioning - starting now - to a new bus fleet using low-emission vehicle technologies.
As well as providing many benefits to exisiting and future bus customers, BusConnects Dublin is calculated to also provide over 200km of cycle lanes as an integral element of the scheme.
In July the National Transport Authority (NTA) published the “Dublin Area Bus Network Redesign Public Consultation Report”. This report notes that the existing bus network in Dublin is very complex, is designed primarily around overlapping and long radial routes taking people into the city centre, but with very few orbital routes. Recent improvements to the rail and tram networks require changes to the bus services to exploit their full potential. Finally the city is growing and changing as are the bus journeys people are taking.
The report identifies 4 key strategies to address the issues with the current network: standardise service categories; simplify radial services; build frequent orbitals and grow suburban feeder networks.
As the Deputy is aware, the NTA supported by Dublin Bus have embarked on a process of full public consultation on these bus proposals involving local brochures, local face to face events organised at various locations around the city, digital imaging of the network, on-line surveys and consultation with user groups. They are both listening to people who have suggestions as to how these plans can be made even better. The public consultation process will run until 28th September and presents a great opportunity for people to have their say before the plans are finalised by the NTA. The NTA expect to publish the finding from the public consultation phase before the year end.
As part of the consultation process, I am advised that the NTA has also engaged with disability groups, facilitated by the National Disability Authority, with regard to the BusConnects proposals. The NTA understand that the issue of interchange is more difficult for elderly people and people with disabilities. Accordingly, it intends to make changes between services as seamless as possible. NTA are planning that each key interchange location will have a bus shelter, seating, lighting and passenger information. Where bus routes intersect at a junction, the bus stops will be moved as close as possible to the junction to minimise any walking required during the bus interchange, and pedestrian crossings will be added where necessary.
I understand an overall increase in services of 27% is expected, which as far as customers are concerned, can only be a good thing. The NTA estimate that, of people who currently have a direct service to the city centre, 92% will continue to have such a service under the new proposals.
I am well aware of concerns raised by people at the Information roadshows and at local meetings. Area specific issues raised at public consultation will be looked at again by both the NTA and Dublin Bus when the consultation period is over. While the proposed network is a significant opportunity to continue the growth of bus services, it will be a huge change for everyone in the city. However, the objective of the proposals is to provide a bus service that is easier to use, understand and more attractive to customers and to potential customers - to make the network more efficient, with frequent services and access to more places.
To conclude, BusConnects is an innovative proposal that is getting people to think about how they travel. I am satisfied that BusConnects will deliver a bus system that will enable more people to travel by bus than ever before, and allow bus commuting to become a viable and attractive choice for employees, students, shoppers and visitors.
42. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding will be allocated to local authorities for their road works programme in 2019 in view of the importance of the non-national road network particularly in rural counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37816/18]
View answer46. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a substantial increase in funding for the non-national road network in 2019 will be ensured in view of the need for additional investment in this network in areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37815/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 46 together.
The 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 the Council's 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.
It is a matter for each Council to determine its priorities and decide its work programme taking available grant funding and its own resources into account. I always stress to Councils the importance of prioritising roads when allocating their own resources.
Grant allocations for 2019 will be decided after the 2019 Estimates process is concluded. Within the budget available to the Department, the approach taken is to allocate funding on as fair and equitable basis as possible. In this context, grants in the main grant categories are allocated based on the length of regional and local roads within a local authority area of responsibility.
43. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the progress of plans to transfer Dún Laoghaire Harbour to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. [37721/18]
View answerDun Laoghaire Harbour Company (DLHC) is designated under National Ports Policy 2013 to transfer to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCoCo).
The Chief Executive of DLRCoCo undertook due diligence of the port company in preparation for transfer and presented her report to the Council on 9 January 2017. The CE then presented a further risk assessment report to the DLR Council at a Special Meeting held on 6 March 2018. At that meeting, the CE and the Council concluded that the most appropriate method of transfer for the company is the transfer and dissolution method.
I subsequently wrote to the CE DLRCoCo on 29 March 2018 to confirm the model of transfer as that of the dissolution of the company and the transfer of all assets, employees and liabilities to the Council on the date of transfer. This is in line with the expressed preference of the CE and Council that the port will operate as part of the local authority structure. Issues raised in relation to the risk assessment were then clarified at meetings that took place between the relevant officials after that date.
I gave my consent to the transfer on 11 July and Minister/PER (as a Shareholder) gave his consent on 17 July and signed the Order for transfer. The Order was sent to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in mid-July.
44. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the road tax rates on older cars that are perceived to be excessively high and are penalising lower income drivers and those living in rural areas will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30938/18]
View answerMotor tax on cars registered prior to 2008 is based on engine capacity. To incentivise reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases, cars registered from 2008 onwards are taxed on the basis of CO2 emissions. In the case of cars taxed on engine capacity, the banding is structured so that the level of tax payable increases as the engine size increases, with bands ranging from €199 to €1,809 per annum. In the case of cars taxed on the basis of CO2, the banding is structured so that higher emitting cars attract a higher rate of tax than lower emitting ones. The bands range from €120 per annum for zero emitting vehicles (i.e. electric vehicles) to €2,350 for the highest emitting vehicles.
The level of usage of private vehicles is not a feature of the motor tax system and those owners living in rural areas are paying tax on the same basis as those living in urban areas.
While the highest CO2 band attracts a rate of tax higher than the top engine capacity rate, it is acknowledged that, overall, the average annual tax is lower on vehicles taxed on CO2 (currently €258 versus €500). Accordingly, higher percentage increases were applied to cars taxed on CO2 in Budget 2012 and Budget 2013 with a view to re-balancing the tax base while retaining an incentive to purchase more environmentally friendly vehicles. The percentage increase in motor tax for passenger vehicles taxed on engine capacity was 7.5% in Budgets 2012 and 2013, compared with increased averaging 25.5% in Budget 2012 and 19.8% in Budget 2013 for vehicles taxed on CO2.
Adjustments to the relative rates within the parameters of the existing system are generally considered in the context of the national budget and, therefore, it would not be appropriate to comment further on possible changes to motor tax rates at this particular time.
45. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the status of the N2 will be reviewed with a view to upgrading to motorway status in view of the number of recent accidents on this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37760/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
48. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the awarding of bus routes in Dublin to a company (details supplied) in view of its record in Britain and the levels of pay and conditions of employment that workers at the company will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37773/18]
View answerUnder the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to determine the appropriate mix of directly awarded and competitively tendered Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus services. In this, it is subject to both national and EU legislation.
I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
49. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the sports capital programme for large scale projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37846/18]
View answerThe National Development Plan (NDP) contains a commitment to establish a new “Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund” (LSSIF) with at least €100 million available over the coming years.
It is intended that the Fund will be for larger projects where the proposed Government contribution exceeds the amount currently available for individual projects under the Sports Capital Programme. The fund will initially focus on the National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities. The detailed terms and conditions of the new scheme are currently being finalised in my Department and an announcement in relation to when applications will be accepted will be made shortly.
50. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be made available to allow the construction of the Carrigaline western relief road, County Cork, to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37704/18]
View answerThe position in relation to the future development of the Carrigaline Western Relief Road remains as outlined to the Deputy in response to PQ24338/18.
51. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the delay in publishing the Irish Maritime Development Office’s study into the use of the UK landbridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37804/18]
View answerThe Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) in conjunction with my Department has undertaken a study into the use of the UK landbridge by Irish importers and exporters. The purpose of this research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK landbridge at present, the potential consequences that Brexit will have on landbridge usage and the various alternative options that may be viable.
I appreciate the Deputy's query in light of the significance of the UK landbridge as a trade route for the Irish economy. The study has taken longer than originally envisaged as it has proven more complex than anticipated. It is currently in final draft form and is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
52. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with a view to providing financial or grant assistance for the provision of cattle underpasses across public roads. [37722/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned in relation to national roads.
The issue of cattle underpasses arises primarily on more heavily trafficked national roads. In that context, I understand from TII they do not have a separate grant allocated to assist farmers or private developers with the cost of installing road underpasses. However, underpasses may be provided along a new national road improvement scheme if such a need has been identified during the planning, design or implementation process of the project. In such instances, the landowner is consulted as part of the process and, where justified on environmental or economic grounds, provision may be made within the scheme design for the provision of an underpass or overbridge, as the case may be.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for a more in-depth reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
54. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review the situation in which there is only one intersection entrance and access to Rathcoole village from the N7 and the resultant traffic congestion caused; if the possibility of a second N7 intersection junction to improve this situation will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37711/18]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
