Michael Healy-Rae
Question:212. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding driver licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23369/20]
View answerDriver Licences
Questions (212)
Written answers
Driving licences which have had their validity period extended are legally valid to the new date, even though the end-date printed on the licence remains unchanged. As the licence remains legally in date it should be acceptable as a form of ID. In the specific case of insurance, insurance companies are aware of the extension and will accept a licence as valid if it is covered by the extension.
National Car Test
Questions (213)
Brian Stanley
Question:213. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some NCT centres will not accept cash and have a policy of taking cards only, which is causing issues for many motorists. [23373/20]
View answerWritten answers
While I am not in a position to comment on operational matters or on specific arrangements regarding the management and oversight of the NCT testing network (as this is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority); I would ask the Deputy to note that the safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time and as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis my Department continues to be guided by the National Public Health Emergency Team and the relevant national experts in relation to the operation of services.
I have referred the question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply and I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (214)
Dara Calleary
Question:214. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport if mask wearing in taxis is a mandatory requirement similar to public transport; if not, if it is treated differently; if he will engage with the NTA to clarify the position for taxi operators and passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23389/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, given the size of most taxis and other small public service vehicles (SPSVs), public health advice indicates that people travelling in such vehicles should wear face coverings. Guidance on the safe use of face coverings is available on the gov.ie website. Under existing regulatory provisions for the SPSV sector, drivers already have the right to refuse carriage to a passenger who does not comply with a "reasonable request" which, in the present circumstances, would include a request to wear a face covering.
On 13 July the wearing of face coverings on all mass transit forms of public transport was made mandatory. On 10 August the Government decided to make mandatory provision for wearing face coverings in retail settings too. The Department of Transport is at present working with the Department of Health, in consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), about extending the mandatory approach to include the SPSV sector.
In the meantime, compliance by passengers with the public health advice in relation to face coverings is being carefully monitored and, given the current situation and the public health advice, all drivers and passengers are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering while in an SPSV. In addition to face covering, vehicle cleaning is also important, and guidance on this has been available to the SPSV industry and on the NTA website for the last number of months.
Question No. 215 answered with Question No. 195.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (216)
Robert Troy
Question:216. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport the reason there is such a delay in the processing of the wheelchair-accessible vehicle and the electric small public service vehicle grant schemes. [23527/20]
View answerWritten answers
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including administration of grants for wheelchair accessible SPSVs and electric SPSVs, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Driver Licences
Questions (217)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:217. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport his plans to provide a further extension to driver licence renewal dates as previously to allow staff to process the large volume of renewals due or overdue in order to ensure drivers are not left without driver licences while waiting; if he is addressing the issue, in view of the fact group 2 or other drivers must present in person to renew their licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23564/20]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the Covid-19 restrictions introduced by the Government on 27 March 2020, regulations were brought in to extend the period of validity for all driving licences that expired between 1 March and 30 June for four months.
A further extension was granted due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and the disruption it has caused to licensing services delivered by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Driving licences that expired between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 are now extended for 7 months.
The NDLS has now resumed services however, they are unable to facilitate any walk-ins due to the social distancing requirements and in the interest of protecting the staff and customers. Therefore, all appointments must be booked in advance. This, of course, has led to an increase in the demand for appointments. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is working with their providers to see how they can increase capacity while adhering to the return to work protocol. Options under consideration include extended opening hours, overtime and protective segregation barriers between booths.
People under the age of 70 and those that do not need to provide any supporting documentation, can apply for a learner permit and/or a driving licence online provided they have a Public Services Card and a verified MyGovID account. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is working to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types.
Mental Health Services
Questions (218)
Mark Ward
Question:218. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the mental health supports in place for elite and international athletes who are injured or in recovery and athletes who are in preparation to qualify for the next Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23598/20]
View answerWritten answers
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. Sport Ireland organise training and support programmes for sport in many areas, including any in relation to mental health.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to its role in the matter mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Commencement of Legislation
Questions (219)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:219. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport when sections 1-68 of Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014 comes into effect. [23722/20]
View answerWritten answers
The main purpose of the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014 is to replace and update the Mercantile Marine Act 1955, as amended, which currently governs the national ship registration system. Under the 1955 Act, ship registration duties are carried out by Registrars of Ships who are officers of the Revenue Commissioners.
The 2014 Act provides a legislative basis for the establishment and regulation of a modern and comprehensive ship registration system that will be more efficient and user friendly for ship owners. The Act provides an enabling framework for new ship registration regulations and facilitates the introduction of a new centralised, electronic and accessible Irish Register of Ships, consisting of different Parts, for the registration of different types of ships and for different registration purposes. It also provides for the extension of mandatory registration to additional ship categories.
Full commencement of the 2014 Act requires the establishment of the new electronic Irish Register of Ships and registration regime, which will be progressed under a separate IT project, and the preparation of new ship registration regulations to complement and align with the Register IT project. At this point I am not in a position to be precise about the timeframe for commencement given the need to develop the new electronic Register and associated regulations, and then to transfer ship registration information and functions from the Revenue Commissioners to the new Register and my Department. The current ship registration arrangements under the 1955 Act will therefore continue for some time yet.
Driver Licences
Questions (220)
Gerald Nash
Question:220. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) to expedite the renewal of a driver licence due to exceptional circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23757/20]
View answerWritten answers
In general, EU and national law requires that a person must be resident in the State to apply for or renew an Irish driving licence. An Irish driving licence can be renewed up to 10 years after the expiry of the licence. Therefore, a person living abroad will be able to renew their licence if they return to live in Ireland within that period.
Noting that, I have referred the question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply to the Deputy in regard to the particular person referred to. Please advise my office if you have not received a response within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Electric Vehicles
Questions (221)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:221. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport his plans to reintroduce or increase funding to allow the expansion of the low-emissions vehicle toll incentive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23780/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Low Emission Vehicle Toll Incentive (LEVTI) Scheme, initially called the Electric Vehicle Toll Incentive (EVTI) Scheme, was launched in July 2018 following a recommendation from Phase 1 of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce. The EVTI Scheme was established to encourage private and commercial car or van users who regularly use tolled roads to consider switching to an electric alternative. It was estimated that there were approximately 400,000 heavy toll users in Ireland and so a reduced tolling incentive would act as a meaningful inducement for a large number of vehicle owners.
Following recommendations from Phase 2 of the LEV Taskforce, which focused on alternative fuels other than electricity, my Department received funding in Budget 2020 to expand the Scheme to include toll reductions for electric motorbikes, hydrogen fuelled passenger cars and small public service vehicles, and heavy duty vehicles (trucks, buses and coaches) fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen or electricity. In line with Government policy, conventional hybrid vehicles are not included in this Scheme.
Under the LEVTI Scheme, which is administered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland on behalf of my Department, full battery electric, hydrogen, CNG and LNG vehicles qualify for a 50% toll reduction and plug-in hybrid vehicles qualify for a 25% toll reduction, up to a maximum annual threshold of €500 for private vehicles and €1,000 for commercial vehicles including SPSVs. Greater off-peak reductions apply to the M50 toll and the Dublin Port Tunnel.
As of the end of July 2020, almost 12,000 vehicles have registered under the LEVTI Scheme. The uptake rate is considered high in light of the fact that many of the toll roads in Ireland are located in the South and East of the country while alternatively fuelled vehicle ownership has a wider geographic distribution. To date, registered vehicles have completed almost 1 million transactions under the Scheme.
In terms of funding, €1.5 million was allocated to this Scheme in 2020. Due to the significant decline in road traffic this year because of COVID-19, fewer discounted journeys have been made by registered users and it is therefore unlikely that the entire budgeted allocation will be spent. It is my intention to continue the expanded LEVTI Scheme into 2021, and the level of funding allocated will be determined in the context of the annual budgetary process.
Driver Licences
Questions (222)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:222. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the assistance that can be provided in the case of a person (details supplied). [23783/20]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the Covid-19 restrictions introduced by the Government on 27 March 2020, regulations were brought in to extend the period of validity for all driving licences that expired between 1 March and 30 June for four months.
A further extension was granted due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and the disruption it has caused to licensing services delivered by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Driving licences that expired between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 are now extended for 7 months.
The NDLS has now resumed services however they are unable to facilitate any walk-ins due to the social distancing requirements and in the interest of protecting the staff and customers. Therefore, all appointments must be booked in advance. This, of course, has led to an increase in the demand for appointments. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is working with their providers to see how they can increase capacity while adhering to the return to work protocol. Options under consideration include extended opening hours, overtime and protective segregation barriers between booths.
People under the age of 70 and those that do not need to provide any supporting documentation, can apply for a learner permit and/or a driving licence online provided they have a Public Services Card and a verified MyGovID account. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is working to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types.
Any queries in relation to driving licences or urgent cases can be addressed to the NDLS customer service at 0761087880 or by emailing info@ndls.ie.
I am also referring the Deputy's question to the RSA for further reply in relation to this specific case, noting that the Deputy has indicated that it appears to relate to an essential worker. Please advise my office if a reply has not been received within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Motor Tax
Questions (223)
Denis Naughten
Question:223. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport his plans to review the requirement for an email address for a person to renew his or her motor tax online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23827/20]
View answerWritten answers
Motor Tax services are provided through both online and offline channels. In practical terms, motorists who use my Departments online service at www.motortax.ie to pay motor tax receive their tax reminder notice through electronic means, rather than a posted notice, thereby completing the overall transaction electronically. Customers who wish to remain with the paper based system can still do so, and continue to tax through the post or by personal appearance at motor tax offices.
Departments in line with eGovernment objectives are required to identify opportunities which will optimise online service availability for customers and at the same time deliver efficiencies to the Exchequer. Traditionally approx 4.5m motortax reminder notices were issued by post, at significant cost to the State. By fully integrating this process with those vehicles that are taxed online, all such notices now issue by email.
Moreover, the mandatory introduction of the EU Payments Services Directive 2 (PSD2) will require Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) to be used for all electronic transactions. The Directive will have implications for how service providers handle online transactions. The requirement ensures that electronic payments are performed with multi-factor authentication, to increase the security of electronic payments. This requires all online service providers to capture additional transaction information (including e-mail address) and send to the cardholder’s bank. The cardholder’s banks will use this data to verify the cardholder. The aim of the Directive is to reduce online fraud and increase cardholder confidence in using online services. The use of the email entered on the site, in conjunction with other transaction data, will help in making the transaction processes as seamless as possible, and remove or reduce any extra layer of friction at the payment stage.
On a broader level, the COVID-19 crisis has also highlighted the need for digital government services and the demand on existing services. In this regard, the electronic solution has supported the collection of motor tax, enabled existing services to function as normal, and reduced the need for motor tax renewal forms to be printed and issued manually from our offices.
My Department have no plans at this time to review the requirement of an email address when taxing online.
Public Transport
Questions (224)
Seán Sherlock
Question:224. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if transport providers will be instructed to accept Leap cards as loading ports on buses in view of the fact some providers are not renewing loading ports due to Covid-19. [23875/20]
View answerWritten answers
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 the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services. 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Airport Policy
Questions (225)
Richard Bruton
Question:225. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if the airport authority has the legal entitlement to charge persons who drop off passengers to the airport; the public benefit that will arise from such a charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23882/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, daa is the body with statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport as well as all the associated operations including those relating to any planned paid Drop Off and Pick Up Zone.
I am aware that daa has sought planning permission to install a new paid Drop Off and Pick Up Zone at Dublin Airport and I have been informed by daa that their aim is to reduce the number of car journeys to and from the airport and encourage passengers to make greater use of public transport and that the revenue generated from the new system will be ring-fenced and invested in sustainability initiatives at the Airport. The new system will not be introduced during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Commencement of Legislation
Questions (226)
Paul Donnelly
Question:226. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport when sections 4 and 5 of the Road Traffic Act 2016 will come into force. [23891/20]
View answerWritten answers
The sections in question relate to provision of data on written-off vehicles by motor insurers, in order to establish a database of such vehicles.
It has become apparent that it will be necessary to make some further minor technical amendments to the legislation to effectively implement these provisions, and my officials are currently working on appropriate amendments with a view to bringing them forward as soon as possible. In addition to the necessary legislative amendments, it will be necessary to ensure that the appropriate technical systems are in place to enable the compilation and sharing of data before the actual commencement of the provisions themselves.
Public Service Obligation Levy
Questions (227)
Paul Donnelly
Question:227. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost in 2021 if the amount of funding for public service obligation increased by 7%. [23892/20]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The award of public service obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the transport companies are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
The original Exchequer allocation under Budget 2020 for PSO services to be delivered in 2020 was €288.7m which, if increased by 7%, would rise to approximately €308.9m. It should be noted that this does not take account of any additional funding to be allocated due to COVID-19.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (228)
Róisín Shortall
Question:228. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the responsibility of his Department for recording and monitoring passengers entering Ireland; the role his Department plays in the passenger locator form and follow-up calls to passengers; the number and grade of staff allocated for this specific purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23917/20]
View answerWritten answers
Staff in the Aviation Sector gather statistics in relation to passengers through State Airports. The Department of Transport plays no role in relation to the monitoring or the follow up calls regarding the passenger locator form, which is overseen by the Department of Health. The Department of Transport engages with carriers, airports and ports in relation to raising awareness among passengers of this mandatory requirement.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (229, 230)
Róisín Shortall
Question:229. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers arriving here on a weekly basis from 1 August 2020 by country, including seaports and airports, in tabular form. [23918/20]
View answerRóisín Shortall
Question:230. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons travelling to and from the green list countries on a daily basis since 1 August 2020 by country, including seaports and airports, in tabular form. [23919/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.
Statistics on passengers arriving into Ireland through State Airports by country of departure are compiled on a weekly basis.
Statistics on the countries of departure for passengers arriving into Ireland’s State Airports from overseas destinations from the week ending 2nd August to the week ending 6th September are set out in the tables below. Transfer passengers are not included in the arrivals statistics for airports as Ireland is not the final destination for these passengers who do not leave the airport before travelling onwards. A breakdown of arrivals into Ireland of Irish residents returning home or foreign residents visiting Ireland is not available. All statistics set out below are provisional figures provided by the airport and are subject to change.
Passengers Arriving from Overseas
Statistics on the destination countries for passengers departing from Dublin and Cork Airports from the week ending 2nd August to the week ending 6th September 2020 are set out in the tables below. Figures do not include transfer passengers.
Passengers Departing to Overseas Destinations through Dublin Airport
|
Destination Country |
27 July - 2 Aug 2020 |
3 Aug - 9 Aug 2020 |
10 Aug - 16 Aug 2020 |
17 Aug - 23 Aug 2020 |
24 Aug - 30 Aug 2020 |
31 Aug - 6 Sep 2020 |
Total |
|
Austria |
362 |
275 |
307 |
255 |
255 |
192 |
1,646 |
|
Belgium |
562 |
540 |
508 |
562 |
562 |
373 |
3,107 |
|
Bulgaria |
456 |
471 |
494 |
430 |
430 |
356 |
2,637 |
|
Canada |
121 |
168 |
139 |
144 |
144 |
181 |
897 |
|
Croatia |
813 |
867 |
621 |
469 |
469 |
402 |
3,641 |
|
Cyprus |
259 |
276 |
181 |
217 |
217 |
123 |
1,273 |
|
Czech Republic |
462 |
470 |
367 |
398 |
398 |
233 |
2,328 |
|
Denmark |
513 |
510 |
397 |
338 |
338 |
240 |
2,336 |
|
Estonia |
282 |
322 |
281 |
174 |
174 |
0 |
1,233 |
|
Finland |
72 |
331 |
299 |
279 |
279 |
75 |
1,335 |
|
France |
3,225 |
2,724 |
2,684 |
2,590 |
2,590 |
1,934 |
15,747 |
|
Germany |
3,160 |
3,347 |
2,759 |
2,604 |
2,604 |
2,364 |
16,838 |
|
Greece |
1,224 |
1,420 |
1,905 |
3,377 |
3,377 |
3,300 |
14,603 |
|
Hungary |
786 |
1,100 |
1,202 |
1,207 |
1,207 |
234 |
5,736 |
|
Italy |
4,092 |
5,026 |
4,960 |
5,211 |
5,211 |
4,953 |
29,453 |
|
Latvia |
1,007 |
1,364 |
1,294 |
636 |
636 |
141 |
5,078 |
|
Lithuania |
1,469 |
1,914 |
1,802 |
1,209 |
1,209 |
652 |
8,255 |
|
Luxembourg |
0 |
111 |
111 |
130 |
130 |
83 |
565 |
|
Malta |
721 |
528 |
397 |
328 |
328 |
275 |
2,577 |
|
Moldova |
534 |
401 |
462 |
392 |
392 |
431 |
2,612 |
|
Montenegro |
137 |
87 |
78 |
65 |
65 |
0 |
432 |
|
Netherlands |
2,441 |
2,878 |
2,259 |
2,070 |
2,070 |
1,971 |
13,689 |
|
Norway |
147 |
142 |
132 |
203 |
203 |
76 |
903 |
|
Poland |
4,168 |
5,463 |
4,089 |
3,323 |
3,323 |
2,998 |
23,364 |
|
Portugal |
2,953 |
2,027 |
1,673 |
1,626 |
1,626 |
2,255 |
12,160 |
|
Qatar |
46 |
89 |
223 |
242 |
242 |
171 |
1,013 |
|
Romania |
1,282 |
1,367 |
1,280 |
1,085 |
1,085 |
1,049 |
7,148 |
|
Slovakia |
470 |
808 |
768 |
714 |
714 |
362 |
3,836 |
|
Spain |
6,291 |
5,067 |
4,181 |
3,468 |
3,546 |
3,594 |
26,147 |
|
Sweden |
208 |
219 |
214 |
214 |
214 |
141 |
1,210 |
|
Switzerland |
787 |
667 |
683 |
480 |
480 |
369 |
3,466 |
|
Turkey |
1,096 |
1,186 |
1,238 |
1,066 |
1,066 |
1,070 |
6,722 |
|
Ukraine |
236 |
197 |
172 |
118 |
118 |
96 |
937 |
|
UAE |
412 |
1,023 |
997 |
571 |
571 |
394 |
3,968 |
|
United Kingdom |
10,634 |
11,163 |
12,138 |
11,487 |
11,487 |
13,356 |
70,265 |
|
USA |
887 |
913 |
1,122 |
1,095 |
1,095 |
1,134 |
6,246 |
|
Total |
52,315 |
55,461 |
52,417 |
48,777 |
48,855 |
45,578 |
303,403 |
Departures to Overseas Destinations through Cork Airport
|
Destination Country |
27 July - 2 Aug 2020 |
3 Aug - 9 Aug 2020 |
10 Aug - 16 Aug 2020 |
17 Aug - 23 Aug 2020 |
24 Aug - 30 Aug 2020 |
31 Aug - 6 Sep 2020 |
Total |
|
France |
192 |
139 |
112 |
63 |
93 |
104 |
703 |
|
Hungary |
146 |
317 |
288 |
223 |
251 |
35 |
1,260 |
|
Italy |
298 |
254 |
269 |
287 |
230 |
0 |
1,338 |
|
Malta |
312 |
138 |
81 |
52 |
28 |
57 |
668 |
|
Netherlands |
187 |
362 |
313 |
398 |
365 |
386 |
2,011 |
|
Poland |
735 |
988 |
757 |
620 |
518 |
395 |
4,013 |
|
Portugal |
111 |
76 |
69 |
65 |
89 |
77 |
487 |
|
Spain |
564 |
456 |
405 |
305 |
335 |
269 |
2,334 |
|
Switzerland |
52 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
52 |
|
United Kingdom |
1,267 |
1,589 |
1,832 |
1,800 |
2,138 |
1,964 |
10,590 |
|
Total |
3,864 |
4,319 |
4,126 |
3,813 |
4,047 |
3,287 |
23,456 |
A breakdown of passengers departing to destinations overseas from Shannon Airport is not currently available. The below table shows total passengers departing through Shannon Airport each week from 27th July to 6th September. Figures do not include transfer passengers.
Total Passenger Departures Through Shannon Airport
|
Date |
Total passengers |
|
27 July - 2 Aug 2020 |
1783 |
|
3 Aug - 9 Aug 2020 |
2299 |
|
10 Aug - 16 Aug 2020 |
2167 |
|
17 Aug - 23 Aug 2020 |
1815 |
|
24 Aug - 30 Aug 2020 |
1785 |
|
31 Aug - 6 Sep 2020 |
1522 |
|
Total |
11371 |
In relation to ports, passenger numbers by specific country of departure through Ireland’s ports are not currently available. None of the ferries that provide travel to and from Ireland serve any of the locations on the Green List. The Department does not have the level of detail requested by the Deputy with regard to passengers departing and arriving by sSea. The Irish Maritime Development Office has been providing statistics since the start of the COVID crisis in April on the number of Passengers arriving and Departing on a weekly basis by Corridor. The latest figures available for passengers for August up to 6 September are detailed in the table below. Please note that these figures account for passengers both arriving into and departing from Ireland’s ports.
Passengers Arriving into and Departing from Ireland's Ports
|
3-9 Aug |
10 – 16 Aug |
17-23 Aug |
24 – 30 Aug |
31 Aug – 6 Sept. |
|
|
Central |
18,277 |
19,039 |
18,134 |
18,627 |
14,807 |
|
Southern |
4,787 |
5,170 |
4,454 |
4,712 |
3,792 |
|
Continental |
2,150 |
2,480 |
2,034 |
2,134 |
1,621 |
|
Total Weekly Pax |
25,214 |
26,688 |
24,622 |
25,474 |
20,220 |
The Central corridor accounts for services to/from the port of Dublin to Great Britain. This includes sailings to Holyhead by Irish Ferries and Stena Line; to Liverpool by P&O Ferries and Seatruck Ferries; and to Heysham by Seatruck. The Southern corridor includes routes to/from Rosslare- to Fishguard by Stena Line and Rosslare to Pembroke by Irish Ferries. The Continental corridor covers all direct services to/from Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Spain from Dublin, Rosslare and Cork. Passenger services operate between Rosslare and France and Spain and between Cork and France.
Driver Test
Questions (231)
Steven Matthews
Question:231. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the substantial waiting lists for driver tests due to the necessary cancellation of service during the Covid-19 pandemic; if he has met with representatives of the RSA to discuss ways in which this can be expedited; and if provision can be made for those that could be classified as urgent in terms of requiring a test. [23925/20]
View answerWritten answers
The driver testing service restarted on a gradual basis during Phase 3 of the Government’s road map for easing of Covid19 restrictions.
On Monday 29 June, driving tests resumed on a gradual basis for trucks, buses and motorcycles (except for trucks in C1 and buses in D1 categories). Driving tests for cars, minibuses and vans resumed from the 16 July.
Essential workers and those who had appointments cancelled due to Covid 19 are being prioritised in the first instance. Initially, only those who are frontline healthcare workers will be deemed eligible for an urgent test slot. It must also be borne in mind that, due to social distancing guidelines, fewer daily tests will be conducted by each driver tester. Therefore, while there will be some availability for urgent tests, the RSA's capacity to make these available in all cases will be limited.
My Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA, which is exploring how further to manage backlogs while prioritizing public health, and this process is being informed by lessons learned as centres operate under the new health restrictions.