Written Answers Nos. 59-85
59. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to restore the Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2019 to the Dáil Order Paper; his plans to pursue this legislation as a Government Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34199/20]
View answerAn employee's entitlement to take time off in such circumstances depends on whether any provision exists in the employee’s contract of employment providing for such leave. For the vast majority of workers, conditions of employment, including bereavement leave provisions, are matters for negotiation between employers and employees. In the absence of any such provisions in an employment contract, bereavement leave is normally granted at the discretion of the employer.
My colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has policy responsibility for maternity leave, parental leave, carer's leave, and force majeure leave. So the issue of bereavement leave would fall within this category of compassionate or family leave.
60. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his engagements to date with SOLAS in regard to the termination of the safe pass card expiry date exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34276/20]
View answer61. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his engagements with representatives of the construction industry in regards liability issues for employers following the extension of validity of safe pass cards to the end of the Covid-19 emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34277/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 61 together.
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Construction Regulations 2013 certain categories of construction workers must hold a SOLAS Safe Pass card. With the imposition of public health restrictions last March, SOLAS, through its parent Department, requested an amendment to these Regulations to extend the four-year validity period of cards issued from 1 March 2016 as Safe Pass training was unavailable.
This amendment provided a derogation to construction workers whose Safe Pass card expired from 1 March 2020 so that they could continue to work.
When Safe Pass training resumed it was with reduced capacity due to social distancing measures. The derogation ensures that training priority is given to new construction workers and facilitates those unwilling to attend training for medical reasons. The derogation does not negate existing obligations on any employer or worker under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005.
Currently, Safe Pass courses are delivered in a classroom setting although SOLAS is examining on-line options. The availability of on-line training would remove the need for the derogation. My Department is in regular contact with SOLAS, and its Parent Department on the most appropriate timing for the removal of the derogation, which would ideally be linked to an on-line solution becoming available.
I am not aware of concerns around liability issues for employers due to the extension to the expiry date of certain Safe Pass cards. However, if the Deputy is aware of specific concerns, he can bring these to the attention of my Departmental officials for any necessary follow-up.
62. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a business (details supplied) is not eligible for the 40% restart grant top up that wet pubs and nightclubs received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34398/20]
View answerFor the purposes of the Restart Grant and Restart Grant Plus Schemes, including subsequent top-ups, each Local Authority is the decision maker in relation to all applications and appeals. My Department has no role in relation to individual applications other than advisory in relation to Scheme criteria.
In that regard, where clarification of the eligibility criteria has been necessary, the Local Authorities have engaged proactively with my Department to determine how best to proceed. Businesses also had the option to make an appeal in writing to the Local Authority where they felt they have been unfairly treated or are in compliance with the criteria, whose decision is final.
63. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the restart grant scheme and restart plus scheme is available to community pharmacies whose retail business excluding dispensary and medicinal business has reduced by 25%; if clarity will be provided on the restart grant scheme and restart plus scheme for the community pharmacy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34520/20]
View answerThe Restart Grant Plus was introduced with the aim of helping small and medium-sized businesses with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures. Government is aware that businesses that had to close their premises or had a serious downturn in business because their premises were not safe for employees and customers would have suffered significant losses during the early stages of the pandemic and would also have incurred ongoing costs in addition to the costs associated with reopening and adapting their premises to make them suitable for workers and customers.
The Restart Grant schemes are administered by the 31 Local Authorities across the country on behalf of my Department, with applications assessed in line with the eligibility criteria as set out by the Department. In that regard, the criterion related to loss of turnover applies only to the business as a whole. It is not possible to segment the component parts of a business for turnover purposes.
Community pharmacies satisfying all the eligibility criteria, like all such businesses, have been welcome to apply to the scheme. In line with the published criteria, the Scheme closed to new applications on 31 October 2020. However, it is open to a business to contact their Local Authority to discuss their individual applications further.
64. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his views on offshore floating wind given the programme for Government stated ambition for 30 GW of floating wind potential; and the measures being taken to ensure progress towards this transformative opportunity for job creation and clean renewable energy export for Ireland. [34219/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to producing a plan setting out a path to achieve 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 as well as a longer term plan setting out how we will take advantage of the massive potential of offshore energy on the Atlantic Coast, in particular taking advantage of a potential of at least 30 GW of offshore floating wind power in the Atlantic. This plan will focus on utilising our existing energy and maritime infrastructure and will seek to create the right investment environment and support ocean energy research where necessary in the areas of floating wind, tidal, and wave power. Commercial floating wind turbines are mostly at the early phase of development but show a lot of promise in the near term. The Atlantic Marine Energy Test site in Belmullet Co. Mayo is being developed by the SEAI in order to test full scale pre-commercial offshore energy technologies. The main focus for the test site since 2018 has been the AFLOWT project which aims to build a full-scale floating wind device to deploy and test. This will demonstrate the investability of floating wind technology and promote its uptake in North West Europe and globally.
Realising the potential of our offshore resources requires significant work to develop the legal, regulatory and economic regime. The Programme for Government commits to taking the following steps in this regard:
- Holding the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction by the end of 2020, with auctions held each year thereafter, including the first RESS auction for offshore wind in 2021;
- Giving cross-government priority to the drafting of the Marine Planning and Development Bill, so it is enacted within nine months.
- Producing a whole-of-government plan setting out how we will deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and how we will develop the necessary skills base, supply chains, legislation, and infrastructure to enable it.
Good progress is already being made on these commitments and my Department is engaged with other Departments and agencies regarding the potential of Ireland’s supply chain in this area. The development of our offshore wind sector presents significant opportunities to Irish businesses, communities and the economy as a whole.
65. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a matter (details supplied). [34220/20]
View answerI have no statutory function regarding the granting of foreshore licences. The Foreshore Act, 1933 is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the granting of foreshore licences and the processing of current applications. The Programme for Government commits to producing a plan setting out a path to achieve 5 GW capacity in offshore wind by 2030 off Irelands Eastern and Southern coasts. This plan will focus on utilising our existing energy and maritime infrastructure and will seek to create the right investment environment and support ocean energy research where necessary in the areas of floating wind, tidal, and wave power.
At present, only offshore renewable energy projects within the limits of the foreshore (12 nautical miles) may be licenced under the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is leading on the development of the Marine Planning and Development Management (MPDM) Bill which will introduce a new, streamlined consenting regime for offshore renewable energy. Once the MPDM Bill is enacted, it is proposed that Maritime Area Consents (MAC) would be granted by me, as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, for development types within my policy remit including for offshore renewable energy.
66. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the geographical areas in which the national broadband plan is presently rolling out infrastructure and household connections; and when a location (details supplied) will have household infrastructure connections commenced. [34397/20]
View answerThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas in Cork which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode. - Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
- The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
The NBP network will offer users a high speed broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. This represents an increase from the 150Mbps committed to under the Contract. The deployment plan forecasts premises passed in all counties within the first 2 years and over 90% of premises in the State having access to high speed broadband within the next four years.
As of 27 October, design work is complete or on-going in target townlands across 25 counties and steady progress is being made with over 118,000 premises surveyed to date. This activity is increasing week on week and NBI expects to have completed some 120,000 surveys by the end of the year. This activity involves physically walking the routes and documenting images, notes and measurements of the poles, cables and underground ducts in each area. This is informing design solutions for provision of the fibre network. This detailed design is then used to initiate the ‘make ready’ project with eir for the area, where eir ensure any poles and ducts being reused are fit for purpose. It is also used to initiate works with the subcontractors deploying the actual fibre in the area. The laying of fibre should commence shortly with the first fibre to the home connections expected around December this year in Carrigaline, Co Cork. In Cork surveys have commenced in the areas of Midelton, Cullen, Templebreedy, Carrigaline, Ballyfolye, Douglas, Ballyphehane, Glasheen, Mahon, Kilpatrick.
NBI provides a facility for any premises within the AMBER area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website (https://nbi.ie/map/).
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 23 October, some 179 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and 59 of these are now connected with high speed publicly accessible broadband, through a service provider contract managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. It is anticipated that 275 BCP sites will be connected by the end of the year. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
BCPs at Aubane, Mealagh Valley, Glash, Courtbrack, Sherkin Island, Ballindangan, Lissvard Community Centre and Bere Island Heritage Centre are scheduled to be connected in the coming months. A number of schools in Co Cork including Clogagh and Ballycroneen National Schools will be connected to high speed broadband, for educational access only, as part of the BCP initiative. My Department will work with Department of Education and Skills to prioritise the remaining schools to be connected over the term of the NBP.
67. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to implement aspects of an EU directive (details supplied) that provides owners of microgeneration units the possibility to sell surplus energy back to the grid for a determined price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34405/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to prioritising the development of micro-generation, letting people sell excess power back to the grid by July 2021. The measures set out below will assist in delivering this commitment.The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a Roadmap for the Clean Energy Package’s Electricity and Renewables Directives in March this year, which provides for a public consultation on the regulatory framework for prosumer development later this year. The document is available on the CRU website www.cru.ie.A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is examining an enabling framework for micro- generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. The proposed support mechanism will be outlined in a public consultation in the coming months. A suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all microgenerators by 2021 in line with the transposition of Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001) into Irish law. As regards the other Articles of the Directive, I have already given effect to the relevant provisions of Articles 4 and 6, relating to support schemes for energy from renewable sources, through the European Union (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 365 of 2020). It is intended that all relevant provisions of the Directive will be transposed into Irish law prior to the transposition deadline of 30 June 2021.
68. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications when a property (details supplied) will avail of efibre broadband. [34478/20]
View answerThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode. - Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI)- The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.My Department's investigations have highlighted that the premises referred to in the Question is within the BLUE area and included in eir's rural 300k deployment under the Commitment Agreement signed with my Department. High speed broadband should be available from commercial operators over the eir network at this location.
69. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the position regarding engagement with internet providers in respect of the cessation of the application of excess usage charges during periods of enhanced restrictions in view of the increase in the number of persons working and studying from home; his plans to request a further cessation of the application of excess usage charges by internet providers during aforementioned periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34493/20]
View answerProviding telecommunication services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communication Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator. I recognise how vital telecommunications services are to citizens for so many aspects of their daily lives, including remote working, studying and staying in touch with family members during the Covid-19 crisis. In April of this year, all major telecommunications providers in Ireland committed to a number of measures to help people stay in touch and work from home during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, a number of operators have implemented further supports for consumers, such as for students in education, who require a high data usage package, by increasing data limits on many existing packages and by the introduction of new packages with very high, or unlimited data offerings. As a result, the market for mobile packages with very high, or unlimited data offerings, is becoming increasingly competitive, which is a positive development for consumers.
70. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if it will be ensured there will be no additional costs for persons resident here using mobile phones in any part of the island from 1 January 2021 due to the UK leaving the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34505/20]
View answerEU "Roam Like at Home" (RLAH) came into effect on 15 June 2017 and provides Irish and EU consumers with the ability to use their mobile devices, within other EU countries, at domestic rates, subject to Fair Use Policy. The RLAH regulation covers data services, voice and SMS. ComReg (http://www.comreg.ie ), the independent telecoms regulator, is responsible for ensuring that all providers meet relevant obligations in areas such as roaming alerts. ComReg also has information for customers in relation to roaming on their website:( https://www.comreg.ie/consumer-information/roaming ).
Nevertheless, my Department is in ongoing contact with industry and with ComReg and even in a situation where a Brexit deal is not reached at the end of the transition period, it is expected that there would be no change in consumers' experience of using their mobile phone on the island of Ireland. No operators have indicated that they have any plans to change current arrangements in continuing to apply the current roam like at home regime.
My Department will continue to monitor the situation closely.
71. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a ferry operator (details supplied) requires truck drivers to share cabins on its route from France to Ireland; his views on whether this is an acceptable health practice in view of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34209/20]
View answerThrough ongoing engagement with the shipping sector, officials from my Department have confirmed with all the ferry companies that, where possible, they have sought to provide drivers with single berth cabins. However, this is not always possible and will depend on the numbers of passengers (including HGV drivers) travelling on a particular ferry journey.
Where sufficient single berth cabins are not available, drivers are given the option of a socially distanced recliner seat or when drivers are already sharing a cab on their truck, they can be asked to share a multi berth cabin. However, it is understood that ferry companies do not compulsorily require truck drivers to share cabins on any routes.
A COVID-19 Agreed Protocol for international RoRo ships and terminal service operators, developed in consultation with the public health authorities and with industry, has been put in place. Further information is publicly available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ab625-protocols-for-international-travel/ This protocol has due regard to the national guidance in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and maintain passenger safety and aims to ensure a broadly consistent approach by maritime transport providers to facilitate maritime passenger transport as safely as possible.
The issue of single berth cabins for HGV drivers is essentially a matter between the HGV drivers and the ferry companies, and one on which the relevant road haulage representative organisations should engage directly with the ferry companies.
72. Deputy Cathal Berry asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding securing additional capacity on direct sea routes from Ireland to continental Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34354/20]
View answerAs has been signalled since the publication of the report ‘The Implications of Brexit on the Use of the landbridge’ by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) in 2018, there is likely to be disruption to the UK landbridge to the EU when customs and border controls between the EU and the UK are introduced, which is now due to happen from January 2021. Since the publication of that 2018 report, my Department, in conjunction with the IMDO, has been keeping the issue of direct shipping routes to Continental Europe under close review, including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since early 2019 my Department together with the IMDO has consulted closely with shipping companies and other maritime stakeholders regarding the issue of direct maritime connectivity to Continental Europe. Shipping companies have assured my Department and the IMDO that they will respond to any increases in demand for direct maritime connectivity when border controls between the EU and the UK are introduced, and shipping companies have been adding capacity on routes to the Continent even during the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-2020.
The IMDO have very recently completed a review of the conclusions and recommendations in the 2018 Landbridge Study and, in particular, the issue of direct maritime connectivity to Continental Europe at the end of the transition period. The IMDO review confirmed that, at present, there is adequate capacity on existing services in the RoRo network between Ireland and mainland Europe to cater, if required, for the landbridge traffic currently estimated at around 150,000 trucks per annum. The IMDO review will be published shortly. In addition, my Department in conjunction with the IMDO has recently completed a further round of consultation with shipping companies serving Ireland regarding the issue of direct maritime connectivity at the end of the transition period.
Given the spare shipping capacity already available on routes from Ireland, including the additional capacity which commenced during the COVID-19 pandemic, I am confident that the shipping industry will respond quickly to any increase in demand for direct maritime connectivity to Continental Europe from January 2021 onwards. As a result, there is no need for State intervention to secure additional capacity. Any State intervention to provide direct shipping services in that context would be likely to undermine and disrupt a market response resulting in an insufficient, inadequate and costly intervention being put in place, legal challenges, and breaches of state aid rules with the requirement for repayment of any state aids provided with interest, with resulting adverse impacts on the viability of any shipping companies receiving such aid.
My Department, together with the IMDO, Department of Foreign Affairs and other Departments and Agencies has recently launched a renewed communications campaign, ACT, which encourages importers and exporters to focus on the direct route option now. The ACT campaign encourages stakeholders:
- To Assess their current routes to market;
- To Communicate their future needs clearly to shipping companies, and
- To Trial alternative services so that disruption to the UK Landbridge route does not preclude Irish businesses from accessing foreign markets.
More information on this campaign can be found on the IMDO website here.
We will continue to closely monitor and keep under review the situation regarding maritime connectivity to continental ports, and will remain in close consultation with shipping companies, ports, hauliers, and other relevant stakeholders on this issue.
73. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driver test application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34192/20]
View answerThe scheduling of candidates’ driving tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and as Minister, I have no power to intervene in individual cases.
Under level 5 restrictions, driver testing services are continuing only for people involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets. Essential workers wishing to book a test shouldcontact the RSA at urgentdrivingtest@rsa.ie where applicants can request to be given priority and supply supporting documentation. These requests are prioritised during the scheduling process with cancellation slots being offered where possible.
74. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the details of the aviation expertise of the membership of the review board to re-examine certain findings of the Draft Final Report of the investigation into the crash of Rescue 116; the number of members on the review board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34200/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I have established a new Review Board to re-examine certain findings of the draft Final Report of the investigation into the accident involving Rescue 116 at Black Rock, Co Mayo on 14 March 2017.
The Review Board has been established in line with Regulation 16 of Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents) Regulations 2009. The 2009 Regulations provide that the Review Board shall consist of a chairperson (who shall be either a barrister or solicitor of not less than 10 years’ standing, or a person who, in the Minister’s opinion, possesses aeronautical, engineering or other special knowledge or experience of air navigation or aviation). The regulations also provide that the Review Board may also include one or more persons who, in the Minister’s opinion, possesses aeronautical, engineering, legal or other special knowledge, to act as technical assessors to assist the chairperson in conducting the re-examination.
I have appointed Senior Counsel Patrick McCann as the Chairperson and sole member of the Review Board in line with the 2009 regulations.
75. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his views in relation to learner drivers that have been unable to finish their EDT lessons and driver examination due to Covid-19 level 5 restrictions; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that learner drivers that are essential workers are unable to drive unaccompanied to work and the practical problems this may cause due to Covid-19; his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34241/20]
View answerI fully appreciate the difficulty that many learner drivers have experienced and are continuing to experience in their efforts to obtain a full driving licence.
Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) have been deemed to be essential under the current Level 5 Covid restrictions. However, I would point out to the Deputy that ADIs are private individuals or companies, who are free to choose whether they will continue to offer their services in the current climate.
It must be understood that a learner permit is not a licence, but a permit to allow a person to drive while learning. The purpose of the driving test is to set out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licenced driver. Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test, they are not safe to take to our roads without appropriate supervision.
Studies have repeatedly shown that unaccompanied learner drivers are markedly more likely to be involved in fatal collisions. For that reason, there can be no exceptions to the current laws in force around learner drivers. Regrettably, there has been no decrease in fatalities on our roads so far in 2020, despite huge reductions in traffic volumes.
As you are aware, driving tests were temporarily suspended earlier this year due to the Covid 19 emergency and since resuming operations, there has been an increased level of demand. Unfortunately, due to social distancing requirements, normal capacity is considerably reduced and this means that some customers will experience longer waiting times for a test than was the case before the service was suspended.
Currently, only those who are frontline healthcare workers and other essential workers are deemed eligible for an urgent test slot, in an effort to accommodate as many as possible.
Public safety is paramount, and never more so than in the case of our frontline workers, whether through infection or through death or injury on our roads. For this reason we must not relax the standards required of our drivers before being awarded a driving licence.
76. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his plans the address the substantial issues faced by US driver licence holders seeking to secure an Irish driver licence upon return or relocation here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this is a barrier for persons to secure work (details supplied); his plans to simplify the process; if so, the timeline for completion of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34242/20]
View answerA US driving licence is not recognised in Ireland as a valid driving licence for Irish residents. A visitor to Ireland can drive for up to a year on a US licence under the Geneva Convention.
Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. As such, all EU driving licences are exchangeable when a person moves from one Member State to another. In the case of non-EU jurisdictions, Ireland may make bilateral agreements on licence exchange. However, Ireland does not have such an exchange agreement in place with the US.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has previously explored reaching agreement on exchange with the US. However, US driver licensing operates at state rather than federal level, meaning that there are 50 licensing systems with widely varying standards, which would have to be studied and compared between each jurisdiction. Agreement with any one state would mean taking into account the exchange relations between that state and the other 49. The RSA determined that such an agreement would not be possible. It may be noted that the road safety data for many US states are significantly worse than any EU state, let alone our record as one of Europe's leaders in road safety.
When people come to Ireland with a non-exchange licence, there is no option but to require them to go through the process of obtaining an Irish licence. This is a matter of public safety. While many individuals may consider that they have a safe driving record, there is no way of measuring this. Furthermore, there is no basis on which a driving licence issued by a given authority can be treated differently from another from the same authority.
While people with a full but non-exchange licence will have to go through the normal driver learning process, they can avail of the shorter Essential Driver Training of 6 lessons instead of the usual 12, and will not have to wait the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.
77. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the delays for eye tests for those that require an eye test for a driving licence by county, in tabular form. [34361/20]
View answerIt is a matter for a candidate for a driving licence to obtain an eye test from a suitable provider and present it to the NDLS as part of the application. The NDLS does not play a part in the provision of eye tests and neither I nor my Department has any role in this matter.
78. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the renewal of a driver licence in circumstances (details supplied). [34362/20]
View answerI appreciate the difficulties you are experiencing. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS).
The RSA is working with their providers to see how they can create the additional capacity needed as quickly as possible, while adhering to the return to work protocol. Options being introduced include a combination of additional staff, extended and additional operating hours (i.e. Sundays where needed), and the provision of overtime. The NDLS booking system is undergoing software changes to cater for the expanded booking window associated with the additional NDLS appointment slots. The introduction of these steps may help ease some of the pressure on the NDLS, free up appointment slots and make it easier to find those slots at local centres.
Anyone can make a case that they are in urgent need of a driving licence can call NDLS customer service at 0761087880 or by emailing info@ndls.ie. and giving the reasons why they should get an earlier appointment. Appointments cannot be scheduled by the Department of Transport.
79. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the monitoring system in place for potential overcrowding issues on the DART service due to the reduction of capacity under level 5 of the living with Covid-19 plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34363/20]
View answer80. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if data is being collected to monitor if there is a need for extra DART and other transport services to facilitate social distancing under level 5 of the living with Covid-19 plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34364/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.
The continued operation of the public transport sector is important and, from a very early stage in the Covid-19 crisis, public transport was designated by Government as among the essential services that could continue throughout the emergency. Guided by public health advice, measures have been introduced across the system to enable the continued operation of services during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and appropriate social distancing measures across the network. New Regulations were also introduced making mandatory the wearing of face coverings on public transport, with some limited exceptions.
There is continued strong messaging that public transport capacity remains restricted and, therefore, should only be used for essential travel, with only those who have to travel at peak times doing so. People are being encouraged to walk or cycle where practical, and organisations are encouraged to continue to facilitate working from home.
Since the entire country entered Level 5 of the Government's Living with Covid Plan recently, which has necessitated the capacity on public transport services to reduce to 25%, the NTA issued a statement on its website on 20th October which says that they will look at “particular pressure points ” in relation to public transport should the need arise, with a view to addressing them at local level. Dublin Bus, for example, has deployed additional vehicles to address particular problem areas, where possible, to mitigate the impact of capacity pressures on the network. I would like to thank operators and their staff, particularly drivers, who continue to provide a service in difficult circumstances to ensure essential workers and students can get to work and school.
Both my Department and the NTA are closely monitoring public transport demand, including bus and DART, and will continue to be guided by public health advice. The NTA advised that the situation on Monday 2nd November, when schools re-opened following the mid-term beak, and also on Tuesday 3rd was much improved with a reduced level of capacity problems notified by transport operators.
81. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans ensure that driving licences due to expire over the coming weeks during level 5 restrictions will be extended until these measures are lifted given that the NDLS has advised that appointments for non-essential workers should be cancelled by applicants and that many will be unable to avail of online or postal renewals for various reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34371/20]
View answerThere is no plan to further extend the validity of driving licences. Irish driving licence law is based on a framework of EU law, and the current extensions bring us into line with the EU legislation.
Under Covid19 Level 5 Government restrictions effective from midnight on Wednesday 21 October, for six weeks, applicants can attend an appointment at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centre provided they are an essential worker involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets. Details on what is included in the list of essential workers and retail outlets is available on www.gov.ie.
A person can apply online to renew a driving licence or learner permit if no supporting documents are required with their application, for example if they are under 70 years of age and do not have a truck or bus category on your licence. They must have verified MyGovID account, which requires a Public Services Card (PSC), to make an application online.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is continuing work to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types to enable accessibility on-line rather than by calling to an office. The NDLS hopes to allow all application types to apply online by mid-November.
The safety of the public is of paramount importance. While I appreciate the situation is difficult for people, we are bound by the constraints imposed by the Government's Level 5 restrictions, and the need to keep both customers and staff of the NDLS as safe as possible.
82. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting for a driver theory test in each month since January 2020; if those persons that have had their driver theory test cancelled due to Covid-19 will be prioritised for appointments once restrictions are eased in order to deal with the backlog of testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34374/20]
View answerThe operation of the driver theory testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. If a response has not been received within 10 working days, the Deputy should contact my office directly.
83. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with assisted driving instructors and their trade union regarding their being deemed essential workers. [34432/20]
View answerRegulations introduced on the 21st October by my colleague, the Minister for Health, define the provision of driving instruction as an essential service.
Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date.
I must emphasise to the Deputy, however, that driving instructors and driving schools operate as private companies and are entirely free to make their own decisions as to whether to continue offering their services at this time. Neither my Department nor the Road Safety Authority can dictate to driving instructors as to how they should run their business nor indeed oblige them to continue offering lessons against their will.
84. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport if compensation is payable to those that the driver theory test is cancelled with less than five days’ notice and if so, the process to access same. [34437/20]
View answerThis is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, and one in which I have no role.
I am therefore passing the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. If a reply has not been received within 10 working days, the Deputy should contact my office.
85. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the steps which will be taken to ensure that there are adequate bus and rail services available to take essential workers, particularly health workers and school children to their places of work and to school due to the restrictions being placed by Covid-19 on the number of passengers allowed on public transport; if extra funding has been made available to the NTA by his Department for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34449/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. Continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that have carried on during the Covid crisis. I would like to thank both public and commercial operators and their staff for their continued dedication to providing this vital service in such challenging times. A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the continued operation of services during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures across the network.
The Government's new "Living with Covid" Plan sets out capacity guidance for public transport at each of the 5 risk levels identified in the new Plan. The Plan provides guidance for the public about using public transport at the different risk levels; including that wearing face coverings is mandatory, and encouraging use of off-peak services and sustainable active travel alternative options where feasible.
Due to the rising incidences of Covid-19 in the community, An Taoiseach announced that for a period of six weeks from midnight on Wednesday 21st October, the whole country would move to Level 5 of the Plan. At current levels of risk, public transport operators are restricted to having only 25% of their passenger-carrying capacity on vehicles. Importantly, the continued guidance under the Plan on working from home where possible and the closure of social, leisure and other facilities has reduced the demand for public transport well below normal levels. The advice is aimed at ensuring public transport is safeguarded for those who need it most, including frontline workers and students. Both my Department and the NTA are closely monitoring public transport demand and will continue to be guided by public health advice.
Following extensive engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the 2020 public service obligation (PSO) allocation of approx. €300m was utilised to fund the revenue shortfall arising with PSO and Rural Transport operators as a result of COVID-19. On 4th June 2020 Government agreed an increase in PSO subvention to enable the normal range of Exchequer-supported public transport services to continue to run for this year. Continuing to fund the existing PSO system will require up to a further c. €460 million to year end (in addition to the c. €300m already provided).
The Government approved temporary funding supports on 26th June 2020, in accordance with EU and national legislation, for the licensed bus sector. These supports are aimed at ensuring the continued operation of essential licensed bus services for a period of up to six months. The package is restricted to operators where a clear public interest justification supports such intervention and is being targeted at compensating the gap between specified costs and the revenues generated on the services. The NTA, as the public transport licensing agency, is responsible for administering this funding support through contracts established between the NTA and the relevant operators.
