Written Answers Nos. 2395-2419
2395. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for the ongoing delay in progressing the new Limerick to Foynes road; if he will approve the use of dual carriageway on the section from Rathkeale to Foynes as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32694/19]
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, and in the context of delivering the Government's commitments arising out of Project Ireland 2040, the planning, design, and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
I would like to advise that my Department has recently received the Business Case for the N21/N69 Limerick to Foynes Road Scheme and it is currently being reviewed and analysed by my Department's Strategic Research and Analysis Division (SRAD). The Business Case will be reviewed in the context of compliance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Public Spending Code and within my own Department's Common Appraisal Framework. This work is on-going.
Given TII's role in managing the overall progression of this project, I have referred the question to TII for a more detailed and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
2396. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the pilot scheme for evening transport in rural areas under Local Link has not been extended as was initially planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32705/19]
View answer2452. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the promised Local Link service for rural areas is not being expanded (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33891/19]
View answer2453. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Local Link transport evening service will be provided for persons in isolated areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33892/19]
View answer2454. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Local Link transport evening service will be provided for persons in isolated areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33893/19]
View answer2455. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Local Link transport evening service will be provided for persons in isolated areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33894/19]
View answer2456. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Local Link transport evening service will be provided for persons in isolated areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33896/19]
View answer2457. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Local Link transport evening service will be provided for persons in isolated areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33897/19]
View answer2458. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Local Link transport evening service will be provided for persons in isolated areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33898/19]
View answer2461. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Local Link transport will be provided for persons in isolated areas for evening services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33914/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2396, 2452 to 2458, inclusive, and 2461 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. It also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which now operates under the Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter I have forwarded your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
2397. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the responsibility of his Department in respect of the recording of penalty points on driver licences for motoring offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32713/19]
View answerThe responsibility of my Department in relation to the recording of penalty points on driver licences for motoring offences is set out in section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 (Number 12 of 2002), as amended.
Where a person makes a payment on receipt of a fixed charge notice in respect of an alleged penalty point offence, or is convicted of a penalty point offence, the relevant number of penalty points for the offence are endorsed on the entry relating to the person on the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF). The Driver and Vehicle Computer Services Division (DVCSD) of my Department manages the NVDF. This data is the definitive record in the context of motor tax collection, the issuance of driving licences, as well as enforcement initiatives and legal outcomes associated with these functions including the application of penalty points.
2398. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has met with the Minister for Justice and Equality in order to discuss the process by which drivers guilty of fixed-charge motoring offences such as speeding or mobile phone usage receive penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32714/19]
View answerPenalty points may be received either on payment of a fixed charge to An Garda Síochána or following conviction in court.
While there is no fundamental difficulty in the endorsement of penalty points following the payment of a fixed charge, my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality engage on a regular basis on the improvement of the fixed charge processing system, through the Criminal Justice (Fixed Charge Processing) Working Group, which was established in 2014 to implement the comprehensive recommendations of a Garda Inspectorate report on the system.
As the Deputy will be aware, there have been difficulties in applying penalty points in some cases of conviction in court, due to failure to record driving licence details. This can mean that it is not possible to match the conviction to a licence record and therefore to endorse penalty points.
The requirements for recording a driving licence following conviction in court under road traffic law are set out in section 22 of the Road Traffic Act 2002. In its original form, section 22 raised a number of problems over the years. As a result, my Department engaged with the Department of Justice and Equality and with the Courts Service to establish a revised procedure. This was introduced by amending section 22 via the Road Traffic Act 2016. I am satisfied that, so far as the legislation for which my Department is concerned, the process is sound provided it is properly implemented.
In light of recent information regarding the non-recording of licence details, I have recently written to my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality, proposing that our officials meet to discuss further the difficulties which have arisen and to consider how these may be resolved.
2399. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to recent revelations that in the past two and a half years 12,429 persons were convicted of speeding but just 4,201 of those had their licence recorded for penalty points; and the steps he will take to address this matter. [32715/19]
View answerI am of course aware of recent media coverage regarding the non-endorsement of penalty points on the driver records of those convicted of offences under the Road Traffic Acts, mainly speeding, due to the non-production of driving licences in Court.
The penalty point system has been in place for almost 15 years, and has processed to date more than three million penalty point offence records on my Department's National Vehicle and Driver File. Over 85% of penalty point records are received from an Garda Síochána where the offender opts to pay the fixed charge amount and accepts the penalty points. The remainder are received from the Courts Service, following convictions, unless an offender does not appear in court, or does not produce their licence for the court.
Section 22 of the Road Traffic Act 2002, as amended, addresses the question of production of driving licences in court. Following difficulties with the original processes set out in section 22, my Department engaged with the Department of Justice and Equality with a view to revising the process. This was done by amendment of section 22 in the Road Traffic Act 2016. The new procedure provides that where a person is convicted of an offence under the Road Traffic Acts "the Presiding Judge shall require the person to produce his or her driving licence or learner permit to the Registrar, Clerk or other Principal Officer of the Court and the Court shall record whether or not the licence or permit was produced and where the licence or permit was produced, the details specified in that licence or permit."
I have written to my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, to express my disappointment that there does not appear to be a consistent approach across District Courts to comply with the production of driving licence requirements, and I have asked him to examine any means at the disposal of his office to address this issue.
2400. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of convictions for each fixed-charge motoring offence; and the number of licences on which penalty points were recorded in each of the past three years in tabular form. [32716/19]
View answerThe first part of the question is a matter for the Minister for Justice and Equality.
In relation to the second part of the question please see the table below:
|
Year |
No. of Driving Licences |
|
2016 |
105210 |
|
2017 |
144178 |
|
2018 |
136255 |
|
2019 |
88017 |
These numbers are based on Licences that were valid or current on the penalty point notice date.
2401. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of penalty points that were recorded in respect of foreign licences in each of the past three years in tabular form. [32717/19]
View answerThe table listed below provides the details requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of penalty points which were recorded in respect of foreign licences in each of the past three years in tabular form.
This table provides the number of Penalty Offences with foreign Licences recorded in National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) based by year of penalty point notice date from 2016-2018 and year to date 2019.
|
Year |
Number of Foreign Licence Penalty Point Offences |
Number of Points Applied to Foreign Licences |
|
2016 |
14,897 |
43,549 |
|
2017 |
22,142 |
64,357 |
|
2018 |
19,887 |
57,502 |
|
2019 as of 16/07/2019 |
12,331 |
35,313 |
2402. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of drivers that received a ban from driving; and the number of drivers that surrendered their licences in each of the past three years in tabular form. [32718/19]
View answerThe table listed below provides the details requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of drivers that received a ban from driving; and the number of drivers that surrendered their licences in each of the past three years in tabular form.
This table provides the number of distinct drivers disqualified through courts and automatic penalty point disqualifications by year based on court disqualification start date & penalty point disqualification notice date.
|
2016(Number of Drivers) |
2017(Number of Drivers) |
2018(Number of Drivers) |
2019(Number of Drivers) |
|
|
Total Disqualified |
9,408 |
10,715 |
10,966 |
8,090 |
|
Number of Licences Surrendered |
1,577 |
2,090 |
1,647 |
744 |
The following points below should also be taken into account when using the data in the table above in replying to PQ;
1. The parameters used to extract data from the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF), for this PQ reply was based on the Notification date i.e. the date the disqualification was recorded on the NVDF by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS).
2. The data recorded on the NVDF for Drivers with Court Disqualifications is provided here only and there may be some additional Court Disqualifications that have been awarded to Drivers and have not yet have been recorded on the NVDF by the NDLS.
3. Disqualifications issued by the Courts in e.g. December of 2017 will appear in the Court Disqualification data for 2017 but may be part of the NVDF disqualification data for 2018 due to the process for adding Court disqualifications to the NVDF by the NDLS in 2018.
4. DVCSD Customer Service receives requests to amend/remove disqualifications from driver records. Therefore, the disqualification data for a period can change over time i.e. figures provided in previous reports for the same period requested here may differ from the figures provided now. It should be clear that the figures provided here are snapshot of the NVDF database on the date of the extraction of the data.
5. The number of drivers in the report are counted as distinct i.e. the driver record is counted once only where the driver may have more than one disqualification.
2403. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the grants allocated to rowing clubs in County Cork since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32784/19]
View answerDetails of all allocations under the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) since 1998 are available on my Department's website at http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme. Allocations are listed on a county basis.
In relation to the 2018 round of the SCP, this closed for applications on Friday 19th October last. By the deadline, a record 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding. 186 of these applications were for projects that were deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the programme that subsequently submitted corrected documents. These applications were assessed first and approximately €7m in allocations to 170 projects were announced on the 17th January.
619 equipment only applications were assessed next and 466 allocations with a value of €9.8m were announced in May. Details of these allocations are also available on the Department's website.
Work is now underway in assessing the remaining applications for capital works and I expect that it will be towards the end of the third quarter of this year before these final allocations are announced. All details will be published on the Department's website.
2404. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce a requirement for a compulsory comprehensive car history check on the importation of used cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32800/19]
View answerThe importation and registration of motor vehicles in Ireland is the responsibility of the Revenue Commissioners and is governed by the Finance Act, 1992 and the Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations.
While my Department does not have a function in respect of such issues as outstanding finance or whether the vehicle was previously reported stolen etc., it should be noted that all used motor vehicles are required to undergo mandatory roadworthiness inspections once the vehicle has reached a certain age, generally 4 years for passenger vehicles and 1 year for commercial vehicles. Any imported used vehicle must also undergo a roadworthiness inspection before that vehicle can be used on a public road once that vehicle has reached the age previously indicated. As the roadworthiness testing regime is an EU-wide system (governed by Directive 2014/45/EU), a valid Certificate of Roadworthiness issued by another Member States will have the unexpired portion of the certificate recognised by the State.
My Department along with the Road Safety Authority strongly advises that a certified mechanic undertakes a thorough examination of any used vehicle before it is purchased or imported.
2405. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding will be allocated for upgrade to a road (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32825/19]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority 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 a matter for the Council.
All available grant funding for 2019 has been allocated.
If you want further details on the prioritisation of projects on roads within the county, Kildare County Council should be able to advise you.
2406. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated full-year cost of recruiting five extra full-time air accident investigators and three extra full-time senior railway accident investigators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32901/19]
View answerThe estimated full year cost of recruiting five extra full-time air accident investigators and three extra full-time senior railway accident investigators is approximately €759,000.
2407. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of feasibility studies conducted by his Department in County Galway in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; the names of each project being studied; the amount allocated and drawn down for each study; the person or body that sought each study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32950/19]
View answerThere have been no feasibility studies conducted by my Department in County Galway for the years 2016 to date.
2409. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason legislation will be needed in order to introduce the motor third party liability database; and when the legislation will be introduced. [32985/19]
View answerThe development of the Motor Third Party Liability (MTPL) database is a project involving my Department, the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland, the motor insurance sector, and An Garda Síochána.
Section 78A of the Road Traffic Act 1961 provides the legislative basis on which the MTPL database is being built. During the development process it has become clear that amendments will be needed to this section to ensure that it covers the capture of the full spectrum of data required to make the database fit for purpose.
The necessary legislation will be included in the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019. This Bill was cleared for formal drafting last December, subject to two issues being further considered in Cabinet Committee. The amendment of section 78A is not one of those issues and, as such, is one of the matters already referred to Parliamentary Counsel for drafting.
The drafting of the Bill has been delayed, as priority for drafting resources has inevitably been given during this year to matters of immediate relevance to Brexit. However, it is my intention to publish the Bill in Quarter 4 of 2019 and to progress it through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible.
2410. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason legislation will be needed in order to introduce the national vehicle and driver file; and when the legislation will be introduced. [32986/19]
View answerMy Department is responsible for maintaining records in relation to vehicle licences, trade licences, trailers and driving licences/learner permits, referred to collectively as the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF), under Section 60 of the Finance Act 1993 (as amended).
Perhaps the Deputy is referring to the Master Licence Record (MLR) project. The MLR is an internal Department system for associating driver and vehicle records on the NVDF.
The necessary legislative amendments to allow completion of the MLR project are included in the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019. In particular this includes the power to collect a PPSN and driver number at key points in the system. While some elements of this Bill have been referred for consideration in Cabinet Committee, most of the Bill, including the MLR provisions, have been cleared for drafting and a drafter has been appointed.
2411. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered introducing additional measures to reduce the number of drivers who illegally drive through red lights. [33056/19]
View answer2412. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the significant incidence of drivers driving through red lights in the Stillorgan and Foxrock areas; and if he has considered introducing additional enforcement measures in the areas. [33057/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2411 and 2412 together.
My attention has not been drawn to what is essentially an enforcement matter for An Garda Síochána. Failure to obey traffic lights is an offence under the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations, 1997, as amended, and a driver caught engaging in this behaviour faces a minimum fine of €80 as well as 3 penalty points. Furthermore, section 81 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 provides for the use of cameras, if so required, by the Gardaí to assist in the detection of such offences for enforcement purposes.
2413. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of public submissions received for the Cork Metropolitan Area Draft Transport Strategy 2040. [33070/19]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that the draft Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040 was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in co-operation with Cork City Council and Cork County Council in May of this year for public consultation.
The public consultation process was managed by the NTA and noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to it for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
2414. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a grant approved for a project (details supplied); if the grant amount approved can be reviewed upwards in view of the length of time since its original approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33104/19]
View answerThe Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. Edenderry is still in the 2000 round of the LASPP and is at Preliminary Report stage. €3.8m is the maximum amount available under the LASPP.
Any future funding of new swimming pools will be considered under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund opened for applications on 19th November 2018 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 17th April 2019. The fund is initially focusing on the requirements and development plans of National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Authorities, all of which received letters inviting them to make applications. Offaly County Council submitted an application for funding from the LSSIF, on behalf of Edenderry GAA club, for assistance in the design of a multi-functional community sports hall on a site adjacent to Edenderry Swimming Pool. 72 applications have been received under the LSSIF and my officials are currently undertaking an initial assessment of them.
In view of the detailed information contained in each application, I am advised that it will take a number of months to have all of them assessed. Accordingly, while there will be no undue delay in completing the assessment process, I expect that it will be towards the end of this year before allocations are announced.
2415. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being undertaken to address anti-social behaviour and violence on trains and buses; the measures to ensure passenger safety on trains and buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33147/19]
View answerThe safety and security of public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are important matters that, first and foremost, must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, where appropriate.
While the vast majority of public transport passenger journeys occur without incident, I am concerned to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff.
My Department has been advised by Iarnród Éireann that it has undertaken a range of measures, including the doubling of security patrols, and proposes further measures to address anti-social behaviour on the rail network.
These include the recent announcement to pilot body cameras for ticket inspectors and Customer Service Officers, the introduction of Customer Service Officers on all Intercity routes and enhanced CCTV coverage.
A new text alert service will also be introduced shortly to enable customers to discreetly report anti-social behaviour incidents and allow security personnel and/or Gardaí to be alerted and dispatched as required to an incident.
Iarnród Éireann's annual spend on security has risen from €4.1 million in 2017 to €4.5 million in 2018 and it is projected by the company that its spend on security will rise again this year to €4.7 million.
Both Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann have reported that the level of anti-social behaviour is relatively low on their services and noted a declining trend, which is positive.
The entire Dublin Bus fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras, with up to 10 internal cameras and two external cameras fitted on the more modern vehicles in the fleet. Each vehicle is equipped with a radio, which facilitates immediate contact to the Central Control Centre.
All of the company's buses are in radio contact with Central Control. Any instances of disruption or concerns around security are immediately reported and services are suspended as necessary. The company also has mobile inspectors in the city centre, who are available to attend incidents as required.
Dublin Bus operates a schools education programme, which involves educating young people about the importance of the bus in their lives and in their local communities. This has proven highly successful in encouraging young people to respect their bus and has assisted in the reduction of incidents of anti-social behaviour.
Bus Éireann has invested in extensive CCTV coverage throughout its fleet for the protection of passengers and staff and driver security screens are fitted to the entire low-floor, single-deck and double-deck bus fleet.
Emergency support for drivers is provided through 24-hour control centres and any incidents of anti-social behaviour are fully investigated and followed up with An Garda Síochána as required.
Following representations from the National Bus and Rail Union my Department wrote to the three CIE companies to get their views on the issue of anti-social behaviour and ensuring the safety of both passengers and staff. All companies stressed their strong and close working relationships with An Garda Síochána.
I also wrote to the Minister for Justice and Equality to seek his views on how we could address the issue of anti-social behaviour on our public transport system. The allocation of all Garda resources, including the manner in which Garda personnel are deployed, is solely a decision for the Garda Commissioner and his management team.
I understand that An Garda Síochána has met with the Railway Safety Advisory Council (RSAC) in relation to the issue of anti-social behaviour on our public transport network and that further engagement and initiatives are planned.
2416. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times the lifts at Howth junction and Donaghmede DART station have been broken since 1 January 2018; the amount Irish Rail has spent on repairs to the lifts at the station since 1 January 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33152/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation of the rail network and stations on the network, including lifts at train stations, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
2417. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if limitations on the mobility of a person (details supplied) were taken into account prior to a determination being made to refuse an application with respect to an EU disabled persons parking permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33179/19]
View answerEligibility for the European Parking Card is set out in the Road Traffic (Traffic and Parking) Regulations 1997, as amended, which define a disabled person in this context as "A person with a permanent condition or disability that severely restricts his or her ability to walk." The principle here is that parking cards are issued on the basis of mobility impairment rather than the diagnosis of a particular condition or illness.
While my Department produces the legislation underpinning the Disabled Parking Scheme, the day to day running of the scheme is the responsibility of the designated issuing bodies, the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI). As I am unable to comment on the decision making process applied to any one individual application, I suggest that the Deputy raise his concerns with the issuing body in question.
2418. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 26 June 2019 and the reply of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, his views on the application by Mayo County Council for funding for the road mentioned in view of the traffic congestion within the town and the importance of the project to the future development of Ballina, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33187/19]
View answerFirstly, I would like to emphasise that I am committed to the maintenance and development of our road network across the country and I support any targeted investment that would improve safety, accessibility and reduced journey times. However, as I have stated previously, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing capital funding in relation to the national roads programme. When Exchequer funding has been allocated for national roads, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This also applies to any proposed minor works scheme, such as the Ballina relief road.
Noting the above position, and TII's role in considering Mayo County Council's proposal, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
2419. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of making the entire public transport fleet wheelchair accessible; the estimated associated ancillary costs required at stations and so on in order to complete same; the estimated cost by transport mode, that is, bus, rail and Luas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33273/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
