Written Answers Nos. 182-201
182. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that free travel passes are expiring without notification to users causing the users to be refused access to transport and that reactivation is occurring of these passes; if he has disseminated this information to transport workers in respect of extensions to travel passes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43211/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters. The Free Travel Scheme is a non-statutory scheme administered by the Department of Social Protection. I am advised that the Department of Social Protection has an arrangement in place with the National Transport Authority (NTA) whereby public transport providers accept expired free travel cards, in light of the delays posed by the Covid 19 outbreak.
Communication with transport providers about this is a matter for the NTA. Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
183. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport his plans to develop a by-pass at Claregalway, County Galway to alleviate traffic congestion through the village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43231/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing Exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the PSO funding provided to Bus Éireann in each of the years 2010 to 2020; the number of passengers carried in each year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43234/20]
View answer185. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the PSO funding provided to Iarnród Éireann in each of the years 2010 to 2020; the number of passengers carried in each year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43235/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the NTA. The allocations to individual companies, including Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann, are decided by the NTA in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. The NTA is also responsible for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
187. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the funding drawn down by each local authority in 2020 for spending on cycling infrastructure, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43324/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day delivery of cycling infrastructure, including the allocation of funds at project level.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public and sustainable transport infrastructure, allocating the funding provided by my Departdment at project level and working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred you question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if he will intercede with Kildare County Council with a view to addressing the serious traffic problems that exist in Celbridge, County Kildare (details supplied); if these matters will be addressed with maximum urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43350/20]
View answerEach local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of public roads, in conjunction with TII in the case of national roads, under the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993 and for the implementation of traffic management measures under Road Traffic legislation.
As regards broader policy decisions the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and the making of a transport strategy for the region is a core function of the NTA.
The Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, which was adopted in 2016, sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a 20 year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA.
I very much welcome the development of evidence-led transport strategies for the major cities. We need to ensure a holistic, multi-modal approach toward transport planning and provision and, importantly, we need to see finalised transport strategies integrated into relevant land-use plans and acting as a catalyst for the adoption by local authorities of a much more sustainable approach toward the location of housing, employment and other centres of transport demand.
Transport infrastructure planning is by its nature long-term and that is why the Strategy has a twenty year horizon. However, obviously strategies need to be reviewed and updated from time-to-time in order to ensure their continuing validity.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 the Strategy must be reviewed every six years. I am informed that the NTA has commenced that work already with a view to launching a public consultation next year.
In reviewing the Strategy the NTA will consider issues such as expanding DART services to operate on the Kildare line, which will help to tackle congestion problems that exist in the County.
189. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide clarity for those holding driver licences from Northern Ireland and the UK; the way in which Brexit will affect such persons after 31 December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43358/20]
View answerAfter the 31 December 2020, a driving licence issued by the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland) held by an Irish resident will no longer be recognised as a valid licence to drive in Ireland. Since early 2019, holders of UK licences resident in Ireland have been encouraged to exchange their UK licences for an Irish one.
Legislation exists to allow for the recognition of foreign driving licences for exchange purposes in the Road Traffic Acts. Following the transition period, the potential then exists for arrangements to be made under those Acts and Ireland will be pursuing this option. This may take a little time to complete as it involves a formal agreement and legislation here in Ireland, as well as corresponding steps by the UK.
190. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No.124 of 8 December 2020, when he will sign off on a pension agreement (details supplied); if there is a timeframe in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43375/20]
View answerThe position remains as outlined in my response to the Deputy's PQ no. 1929/20 on the 8th December 2020. CIÉ has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.
191. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers travelling into Ireland that have booked Covid-19 tests at airports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43380/20]
View answerThe Government decision of 20 October affirms that any testing model implemented for international travel should not impinge on HSE testing capacity. In light of this, the State Airports have facilitated the location of private testing providers at Cork, Shannon and Dublin Airports. The testing facilities in question are open to any member of the public requesting a Covid-19 test, whether travelling or not.
Neither the State Airports nor my Department have any operational role in the provision of the testing services.
The daa facilitates two commercial companies – Randox and RocDoc - to operate separate Covid-19 testing facilities at Dublin and Cork airports. RocDoc provide services at Shannon Airport also. These testing service providers have advised daa and the Shannon Airport Authority concerning headline figures for testing to date and projected bookings leading up to Christmas, including pre-departures, post-arrivals tests and other non-travel tests.
There have been over 5,000 bookings for Covid-19 tests across both testing service providers since testing facilities opened in November at Cork Airport and at Dublin Airport. The testing service providers expect circa 800 bookings per day between now and the Dec 20th, increasing to circa 1,700 bookings on the expected busiest travel day, December 23rd. In the region of 500 Covid-19 tests have been carried out by the private testing provider located at Shannon Airport.
It should be noted that the estimated figures I have provided do not reflect the full extent of Covid-19 testing for prospective arriving (or departing) passengers, given that many other commercial providers outside of the airport’s testing facilities also provide such services.
192. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter regarding hackney licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43405/20]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, 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.
193. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the regulatory status of electronic scooters; if a licence is required; if insurance is required; if other obligations apply to users of electronic scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43441/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, electric scooters are a type of powered personal transporter (PPT). PPTs are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the use of which requires a valid licence, tax and appropriate insurance in accordance with Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. As PPTs do not fall under any existing vehicle category, it is not currently possible to tax and insure them and there is no separate licence category for them. Therefore they may not be used on public roads and in public places. However, their use is permitted on private land with the permission of the landowner.
I intend to bring forward the relevant provisions to amend primary legislation in relation to so-called e-sccoters and other Powered Personal Transport devices (PPTs) when the Oireachtas is considering the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill early next year, in accordance with the Programme for Government. My officials are currently working on drafting the necessary changes to primary legislation.
Until new legislation is in place, the use of electric scooters will remain illegal on public roads and in public places.
194. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the regulatory status of electronic bicycles; if a licence is required; if insurance is required; if other obligations apply to users of electronic bicycles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43442/20]
View answerThere are two types of electric bicycles , both of which are already provided for in existing legislation. Where a bicycle has an electric motor attached which may be used as an alternate means of propulsion,the vehicle is defined as a mechanically propelled vehicle under the Road Traffic Acts, whether or not the motor is being used. Under the law, a licence and insurance are required for mechanically propelled vehicles.
Pedal assisted electric bikes with a maximum speed of 25kph are treated as regular bikes.
Pedal assisted electric bikes with a maximum speed of greater than 25kph are treated as low performance mopeds which require the appropriate licence, tax and insurance.
195. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers arriving into Ireland on a weekly basis from 26 October 2020 by country of departure including seaports and airports in tabular form. [43467/20]
View answerStatistics on passengers arriving into Ireland through State Airports by country of departure are compiled on a weekly basis.
Statistics on the countries of departure and number of passengers arriving into the State Airports from overseas destinations from the 26Th October – 6th December 2020 inclusive 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. All statistics set out below are provisional figures provided by the airport and are subject to change:
Arrivals through Dublin Airport
|
Country of Departure |
26 Oct - 1 Nov 2020 |
2 Nov - 8 Nov 2020 |
9 Nov - 15 Nov 2020 |
16 Nov - 22 Nov 2020 |
23 Nov - 29 Nov 2020 |
30 Nov - 6 Dec 2020 |
|
Austria |
99 |
132 |
92 |
85 |
0 |
0 |
|
Belgium |
337 |
211 |
202 |
199 |
206 |
240 |
|
Bulgaria |
390 |
376 |
401 |
324 |
294 |
313 |
|
Canada |
92 |
105 |
95 |
125 |
199 |
470 |
|
Cyprus |
156 |
93 |
93 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Denmark |
163 |
113 |
97 |
62 |
0 |
0 |
|
Finland |
54 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
France |
999 |
553 |
530 |
625 |
611 |
784 |
|
Germany |
1,217 |
991 |
527 |
237 |
200 |
308 |
|
Greece |
845 |
568 |
154 |
97 |
89 |
98 |
|
Hungary |
247 |
206 |
237 |
348 |
227 |
325 |
|
Italy |
873 |
599 |
573 |
123 |
0 |
0 |
|
Latvia |
334 |
298 |
270 |
230 |
227 |
257 |
|
Lebanon |
0 |
0 |
142 |
156 |
180 |
0 |
|
Lithuania |
283 |
325 |
257 |
285 |
262 |
274 |
|
Luxembourg |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
88 |
|
Malta |
167 |
75 |
82 |
97 |
0 |
0 |
|
Moldova |
162 |
249 |
183 |
180 |
172 |
258 |
|
Netherlands |
1,407 |
1,538 |
1,714 |
1,511 |
2,152 |
2,875 |
|
Poland |
2,303 |
2,245 |
1,638 |
1,351 |
1,455 |
1,455 |
|
Portugal |
1,255 |
1,133 |
1,105 |
1,021 |
1,011 |
1,072 |
|
Qatar |
161 |
167 |
0 |
163 |
276 |
198 |
|
Republic of Ireland |
168 |
151 |
143 |
166 |
148 |
198 |
|
Romania |
771 |
670 |
659 |
526 |
666 |
797 |
|
Slovakia |
131 |
116 |
189 |
0 |
131 |
0 |
|
Spain |
3,049 |
2,860 |
2,894 |
2,456 |
2,497 |
2,626 |
|
Sweden |
115 |
113 |
136 |
145 |
150 |
162 |
|
Switzerland |
141 |
105 |
122 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Turkey |
691 |
570 |
473 |
485 |
481 |
642 |
|
UAE |
434 |
360 |
440 |
536 |
668 |
888 |
|
United Kingdom |
6,539 |
6,175 |
5,152 |
4,606 |
4,394 |
6,861 |
|
USA |
588 |
550 |
565 |
653 |
913 |
1,537 |
|
Total |
24,171 |
21,647 |
19,165 |
16,792 |
17,609 |
22,726 |
Arrivals through Cork Airport
|
Country of Departure |
26 Oct - 1 Nov |
2 Nov - 8 Nov 2020 |
9 Nov - 15 Nov 2020 |
16 Nov - 22 Nov 2020 |
23 Nov - 29 Nov 2020 |
30 Nov - 6 Dec 2020 |
|
Netherlands |
242 |
185 |
193 |
147 |
178 |
283 |
|
Poland |
180 |
206 |
112 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
United Kingdom |
632 |
677 |
399 |
292 |
308 |
424 |
|
Total |
1,054 |
1,068 |
704 |
439 |
486 |
707 |
Arrivals through Shannon Airport
|
Country of Departure |
26 Oct - 1 Nov 2020 |
2 Nov - 8 Nov 2020 |
9 Nov - 15 Nov 2020 |
16 Nov - 22 Nov 2020 |
23 Nov - 29 Nov 2020 |
30 Nov - 6 Dec 2020 |
|
Barbados |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
France |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
Italy |
0 |
0 |
0 |
40 |
0 |
78 |
|
Malta |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Poland |
57 |
61 |
66 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Russia |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
|
Spain |
100 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Switzerland |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
|
United Kingdom |
433 |
284 |
237 |
0 |
47 |
0 |
|
USA |
1 |
0 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Total |
592 |
345 |
318 |
43 |
54 |
119 |
In relation to seaports, the Department does not have the level of detail requested by the Deputy with regard to passengers departing and arriving by Sea. 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 from 26th October through to the 6th December are detailed in the table below. Please note that these figures account for passengers both arriving and departing from Ireland’s ports:
|
- |
26 Oct-1 Nov |
2-8 Nov |
9-15 Nov |
16-22 Nov |
23-29 Nov |
30 Nov-6 Dec |
|
Central |
5,461 |
5,443 |
4,307 |
4,914 |
5,932 |
8,289 |
|
Southern |
1,119 |
1,064 |
504 |
960 |
1,050 |
1,771 |
|
Continental |
443 |
652 |
131 |
329 |
533 |
959 |
|
Total |
7,023 |
7,159 |
4,942 |
6,203 |
7,515 |
11,019 |
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 and Rosslare. Passenger services go to/from Rosslare to France and Spain.
196. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport the details of a report (details supplied) carried out in 2019 as part of the review of search and rescue services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43572/20]
View answerAerossurance Ltd were appointed by my Department, following an open procurement process, as an aviation consultancy for the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG). Their services include the provision of advice in connection with the Search and Rescue helicopter contract and related matters including future projects, contractual compliance and assistance in tender assessment.
In that context and in the interests of continuous improvement, Aerossurance were requested in 2018 to conduct an internal review of the current CHC Ireland (CHCI) contract, including KPIs and contractual compliance. The review is not publicly available as it contains commercially sensitive information and forms part of a wider deliberative process for the procurement of the new SAR Aviation service, currently underway.
197. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Finance if persons who have purchased a vehicle, are in possession of that vehicle and have sought an appointment prior to 31 December 2020 are rateable based on 2020 VRT rates in view of the delays in the processing of vehicle registration tax payments and the change in VRT rates planned for 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42888/20]
View answer200. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the Revenue Commissioners arrangements related to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42995/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 and 200 together.
Used cars imported from the UK before the end of December will not be liable to customs duty or VAT on import.
In relation to VRT, while the rates will change on 1 January it is not necessarily the case that the amount of VRT charged on registration in January will be higher than if the vehicle was registered in December. Where a delay in registration beyond the normal waiting times for a pre-registration appointment results in a higher VRT liability in January, Revenue is prepared to allow the lower charge to apply. NCT centres will be advised to contact Revenue in such cases.
198. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to include existing owners of derelict properties in the help-to-buy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43117/20]
View answerThe Help to Buy (HTB) incentive, is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive gives a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation.
I am advised by Revenue as follows:
In order for an applicant to qualify for the HTB scheme they must be a first time purchaser and the property must be a qualifying residence, as defined in section 477C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA), as well as satisfying the conditions outlined in section 477C TCA.
Section 477C TCA provides a definition of a first-time purchaser for the purposes of the HTB scheme. A first-time purchaser is an individual who, at the time of making a claim under the scheme, has not, either individually or jointly with any other person, previously purchased or previously built, directly or indirectly, on his or her own behalf a dwelling.
In a case where an individual who received a gift of or inherited a house previously, the individual may still be considered a first-time buyer for the purposes of the HTB scheme subject to all other conditions being satisfied, on the basis that they have not previously purchased a dwelling, as the wording of the legislation provides.
Unless the existing owner received the house as a gift or inherited the property, they would not be considered a “first time purchaser”.
Section 477C also defines a qualifying residence. The legislation is very specific as to the definition of a qualifying residence. It must be a new building which was not, at any time, used or suitable for use as a dwelling. Renovation or refurbishment of old houses to either upgrade or reinstate them for habitation does not qualify for HTB. In the circumstances where the house was previously used as a dwelling but knocked down and rebuilt, then it is “new”.
The Revenue Tax and Duty manual Part 15-01-
46 Help to Buy outlines further guidance on the scheme.
I have no plans to change these terms of the scheme.
199. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Finance if he will facilitate access to CRSS for businesses (details supplied) who do not currently qualify for the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43129/20]
View answer208. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will reconsider making the CRSS available to the direct marketing companies and tour operators. [43114/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 208 together.
The CRSS is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The support is available to companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships who carry on a trade or trading activities, the profits from which are chargeable to tax under Case I of Schedule D, from a business premises located in a region subject to restrictions introduced in line with the Living with Covid-19 Plan.
Details of CRSS were published in the Finance Bill 2020 and detailed operational guidelines on the scheme have been published on the Revenue website at: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/2021/crss-guidelines.pdf.
Travel restrictions or social distancing measures are not the level of restrictions to which the CRSS refers. It is also not sufficient that a business is experiencing a reduction in demand for its goods or services because of Covid-19. To be eligible to make a claim under CRSS, a business must, under the specific terms of the regulations, be required to either prohibit, or significantly restrict, customers from accessing its business premises to purchase goods or services, with the result that, during the period of restrictions, turnover does not exceed an amount based on 25% of the average weekly turnover of the business in 2019 (or in 2020 in the case of a new business).
Where a business does not ordinarily operate from a fixed business premises located in a region that is subject to restrictions, such as a tour operator, that business will not meet the eligibility criteria.
Where a language school carries on a trade, the profits from which are chargeable to tax under Case I of Schedule D, from a business premises (generally a building) located in a region for which restrictions apply, it may qualify for CRSS provided all eligibility criteria are met. Whether a language school’s activities are in the nature of a trade will depend on the particular facts of the case.
To be eligible to claim under CRSS a language school must, under specific terms of Covid restrictions, be required to either prohibit, or significantly restrict, customers from accessing the premises in which the business of the language school is ordinarily carried on, with the result that it has to temporarily close or to operate at a significantly reduced level.
Under nationwide Level 5 restrictions, which applied from 22 October 2020 to 1 December 2020, non-essential businesses were required to prohibit or significantly restrict customers from accessing their business premises. Higher and further education providers were however allowed to have an onsite presence where such education activities could not be held remotely.
Language schools may have been eligible to register and claim for CRSS during this period where all the qualification criteria were met. In determining whether the eligibility requirement relating to reduction in turnover is met, any turnover derived from a language school’s online activities during the period of restrictions must be taken into account.
There has been an easing of restrictions on businesses, with a phased move to Level 3 restrictions nationally from 1 December, with some restrictions easing from 4 December and 18 December respectively. A language school that was eligible to claim under CRSS up to 1 December could from that date open without having to prohibit or significantly restrict access to its business premises where it was considered necessary for educational reasons for students to attend in person. Any such language school would therefore cease to be eligible to claim under CRSS from that date. However, a business reopening after the period of restrictions, will be eligible to claim an additional week’s support under CRSS (referred to as a ‘restart week’) to assist the business in meeting the costs of reopening.
Any business that can reopen without having to prohibit or significantly restrict access to their business premises, but chooses not to reopen, will not be eligible to claim under CRSS.
201. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Finance the schemes, grants and supports in place in his Department for car rental firms; and if there are further measures under consideration for such companies. [43008/20]
View answerMy Department has no responsibility or remit for issuing financial grants to Car Rental Firms or the Car Rental Industry on an ongoing basis. I understand this matter falls to my Ministerial Colleague in the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment.
