Wednesday, 13 Jan 2021

Written Answers Nos. 111-135

National Broadband Plan

Questions (111)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the national broadband plan continues to address the issues of the lack of high-speed broadband in areas in County Kildare in both urban and rural settings, having particular regard to the need to facilitate persons working from home or from industrial parks close to home given the challenges of the need to reduce long commutes and meet the challenges of Covid-19; the extent to which the linking up of the areas previously experiencing poor service with those areas now in receipt of optimum services in terms of quality and availability is occurring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1892/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools.

Noting that the fibre roll-out is a long-term project, Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) were seen as a key early element of the NBP that could provide access to high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 21 December, 241 publicly accessible BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development. For Kildare, Bigstone Community Hall has been connected by the retail service provider with Lullymore Heritage Park being connected shortly. The locations of Crookstown Further Education and Training and the Community Centre in Back Gate Lodge Kilkea Demesne Castledermot will be connected by the end of Q1.

Services will vary at each BCP location – some sites will have desks and other equipment which can be used for remote working while others will have outside access only. Information is on a site by site basis and can be found via the map. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/

Any works that are required in the relevant buildings to cater for remote working will be carried out by the owners of the BCP with assistance, both financial and otherwise, from the Local Authority and local LEADER office.

An interdepartmental working group, chaired by the Department of Rural and Community Development is currently progressing work on hub infrastructure and development of remote working hubs. In that regard BCPs are only a subset of a much larger hub infrastructure. This Working Group will be looking towards enhancing a national hub infrastructure that provides a fair level of geographical access and a level of service that is appropriate given ongoing developments to future working arrangements.

The Department has met with Broadband Officers in local authorities in relation to premises in the BLUE area where performance issues were raised. The Department is continuing to monitor the BLUE areas and has encouraged the Broadband Officers to contact the Broadband inbox ([e-mail]) with specific examples of premises or known areas that have been identified where performance issues exist.

Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 109.

Question No. 113 answered with Question No. 110.

Question No. 114 answered with Question No. 109.

Question No. 115 answered with Question No. 110.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Questions (116)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he expects to meet carbon reduction targets in the transport, agriculture and other sectors without damaging Ireland’s economic capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1897/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Emissions from the transport and agriculture sectors fall within the EU Effort Sharing target framework.

The 2009 EU Effort Sharing Decision established binding annual greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for Member States for the period 2013 to 2020. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that emissions should be 20% below their value in 2005. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest projections, our 2020 emissions could be 2% to 4% below 2005 levels, and we will need to avail of flexibilities in order to comply with our obligations. Covid-19 will undoubtedly impact our 2020 emissions, and this is not reflected in these projections.

The EU Effort Sharing Regulation EU/2018/842 (ESR) established binding annual greenhouse gas emission targets for Member States for the period 2021 to 2030. The final agreement sets Ireland a target of 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. It is important to recognise that this target will be amended following the European Commission’s plan to increase ambition from its existing EU wide 2030 target of 40% reduction to at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. As set out in the Programme for Government, we are committed to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030, equivalent to a 51% reduction over the decade and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, in line with EU ambitions.

As Minister for Climate Action, I will lead on delivering this ambition, which will more than halve our carbon emissions over the course of the decade. With the increased scale and depth of this ambition, new strategies will be needed to sustain a reduction trajectory that will increase over time. I am working with colleagues across Government to develop a new Climate Action Plan, with additional initiatives in every sector, including transport and agriculture, to bring about the significant change needed to transform our society.

By putting climate action and sustainability at the heart of our policy development, the recovery from the Covid crisis presents an opportunity to embed structural shifts that will benefit our economy and people through the adoption of green technologies and innovations. This transformation is essential to securing Ireland's economic capacity into the future in all sectors, as we move from reliance on a now redundant greenhouse gas intensive economic model.

Air Quality

Questions (117)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which air quality continues to be monitored; the extent of the deterioration quality in all areas throughout the country; the areas most seriously affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1898/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for monitoring ambient air quality in Ireland via the national Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme 2017-2022 (AAMP). Under this programme the national monitoring network has undergone a significant upgrade in recent years and has been expanded from 30 stations in 2017 to 88 by the end of 2020. All stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants in order to provide information to the public, and for assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values.

Real-time data from these monitoring stations is available online at all times at www.airquality.ie and the most recent report on Ireland’s air quality can be found at https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/air/quality/epaairqualityreport2019.html.

Air quality in Ireland is generally good, and compares favourably with other European countries. Significant reductions in emissions have already been achieved through a range of policy measures and other developments. However, as more comprehensive, real-time, localised air quality information becomes available through the AAMP, it is apparent that there are key pollutants which still need to be addressed more comprehensively.

To this end my Department is currently working to finalise Ireland’s first National Clean Air Strategy which I intend to publish in the coming weeks. The Strategy will provide the policy framework necessary to identify and promote the integrated measures and actions across Government that are required to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air, while delivering on wider national objectives.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Waste Management

Questions (118, 119)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which the national waste management plan continues to address the relevant issues, with particular reference to reduction, reuse and recycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1899/21]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which landfill remains a major part of waste disposal; the extent to which it has been replaced by incineration and or recycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1900/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 119 together.

European, national and regional waste management policy is predicated on the waste hierarchy as set out in Article 4 of the 2008 Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC), whereby the prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling and other recovery of waste are preferred options to the disposal or landfilling of waste.

Ireland’s recycling rate for municipal waste was 38% in 2018, while our landfill rate for municipal waste was just 14% in 2018, representing a significant reduction from the 2017 figure of 23% and continuing the ongoing welcome decline from the 62% recorded for 2008. 43% of municipal waste was incinerated for energy recovery in 2018, significantly higher than the 32% recorded for 2017. Just 7% of municipal waste was incinerated as recently as 2012. Significantly more residual waste is now used as a fuel (energy recovery) than disposed to landfill. Further information is available at http://www.epa.ie/nationalwastestatistics/municipal/

New waste management targets in the EU Landfill Directive require Member States to reduce the amount of municipal waste going to landfill to 10% or less of the total amount of municipal waste generated (by weight) by 2035. In addition, amendments to the Waste Framework Directive require that recycling rates of 55%, 60% and 65% of municipal waste (by weight) must be achieved by 2025, 2030 and 2035 respectively.

I launched a Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy in September 2020. This represents a step change in our approach to waste in Ireland, as it shifts the focus away from management to a fuller reconsideration of how we use resources and materials. The measures in the Plan are intended to minimise the amount of waste generated, eliminating waste before it can be created and diverting as much as possible to beneficial reuse or recovery and will help us deliver on our national targets.

Question No. 120 answered with Question No. 105.

Bus Services

Questions (121)

Noel Grealish

Question:

121. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the significant cash flow pressures that private bus operators are experiencing and are likely to continue to experience over 2021 (details supplied). [44989/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

Firstly I would like to reassure the Deputy that both the National Transport Authority (NTA) and my Department have been engaging directly with commercial bus operators throughout the crisis to help inform policy decisions in relation to the public transport sector as we continue to deal with the impact of Covid-19. In this context, both the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media; and my Department have been liaising with the Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC) since early May - 11 meetings have taken place, and a further meeting is scheduled for the coming days.

I am aware of the very difficult business environment that the commercial operators have been facing. Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the Covid-19 situation presents huge challenges for many business sectors.

Public transport is a key facilitator of interaction in the economy and society. It is an efficient and sustainable way of getting people to work, education, shopping and other social engagements. The essential nature of these services has been acknowledged a number of times by the Government in recent months, most notably in the decision to provide additional funding for public service obligation, PSO, services and the introduction of temporary funding measures for the licensed bus sector.

These temporary funding supports have been introduced to help ease the financial pressure on operators arising from the fall in passenger numbers and associated drop in fare revenue as a result of Covid-19. They are aimed at ensuring the continued operation of essential licensed bus services for a period of up to six months and are targeted at covering the gap between specified costs and the revenues generated on the services. The supports are targeted at those classes of bus services where a clear public interest justification supports such intervention, in line with relevant state aid considerations. The NTA, as the public transport licensing agency, is responsible for administering the funding support through contracts with the relevant operators.

These supports are in addition to the suite of other financial support measures that the Government has introduced to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19, including the pandemic unemployment payment which operators can avail of and which remains open to new applicants until the end of March 2021 and a Covid-19 enterprise support grant which can be put towards the costs associated with reopening a business, including the purchase of cleaning materials and personal protective equipment.

Other measures introduced includes rates waivers, lending facilities, equity injection and business advisory supports, all of which will help to improve cash flow. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has also set up on online tool to help support Irish start-ups and SMEs to navigate the range of Government supports and identify which support may be most relevant to their business.

Concerning coach tourism - a fund of €10m was made available under the July Stimulus package to assist the Coach Tourism sector. The Coach Tourism Business Continuity Scheme is administered by Fáilte Ireland and is under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin.

Vehicle Clamping

Questions (122)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

122. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if instruction will be given to county and city councils as to whether clamping is discontinued for the duration of the public health lockdown. [1436/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

It is not a matter for myself, as Minister of State for Transport, to issue such an instruction to the local authorities.

Air Services Provision

Questions (123)

John McGuinness

Question:

123. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the soaring cost of air freight and the immediate negative effect being experienced by exporters in getting their goods to the markets and the threat to exporting companies and businesses of the loss of valuable contracts; if direct financial support will be offered to companies and businesses experiencing difficulty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1700/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic there has been a decrease in air cargo capacity linked to the reduction in passenger services. A substantial share of air cargo was previously transported in the belly hold of such passenger aircraft. The loss of that capacity means that there a likelihood of increasing upward pressure on air cargo rates.

Direct financial support has already ready been made available to all sectors of the economy, through the State supports established as a result of COVID-19. Officials in my Department continue to engage on a daily basis with our airlines, airports, regulators and all relevant stakeholders to seek to alleviate the severe impact that the COVID-19 crisis is having on the sector and its capability to continue to support essential cargo and passenger movements.

Driver Test

Questions (124)

Seán Canney

Question:

124. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport his plans to deal with drivers with learner permits who cannot take the driver test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44651/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

My Department is in constant contact with the Road Safety Authority since the start of the pandemic regarding all of its services, the impact of Covid-19 on those services, and how they can best be maintained in the current circumstances.

Due to suspension of driver testing services in the first 2020 lockdown, along with the health protocols since resumption of service and the further curtailing of services during subsequent level 5 restrictions, a significant backlog has developed. The need to once again return to level 5 restrictions for reasons of public health will inevitably impact further on delays to driver testing. During the level 5 period, driving tests will be available only to those who are involved in essential services, including essential retail work.

While the service is limited during level 5 restrictions, the Road Safety Authority is examining ways of increasing the number of tests within health constraints with an eye to resuming wider testing after level 5. This includes increasing the number of testing staff to help reduce and, over time, eliminate the backlog.

In this regard, I am pleased to say my Department has recently given sanction for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to commence recruitment of 40 temporary driver testers. These new hires will be in addition to the 36 temporary testers who I previously gave sanction to rehire during 2020.

The possible extension of driving licences is currently under consideration in Europe due to Covid-19. The possible extension of learner permits is also under consideration. Decisions on these issues are expected shortly.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) , through the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), has expanded the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit applications to enable accessibility online rather than by calling to an office. A verified MyGovID account, which requires a Public Services Card, is needed to access the online system.

Tax Exemptions

Questions (125)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

125. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if owners of commercial vehicles that have been off the road due to Covid-19 restrictions and whose businesses (details supplied) are unable to open are being given the option to tax their commercial vehicles on a temporary or short-term basis in order to start to reopen without having to pay a full year’s road tax given they have had no earnings since March 2020; if consideration is being given to a retrospective grace period for road tax for vehicles off the road due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44665/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Motor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis.

There is a facility in place to declare a vehicle off the road where it is not going to be in use in a public place.

The Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act came into effect on 1 July 2013. The primary purpose of the Act was to replace a system whereby a vehicle was declared off the road retrospectively, which was unverifiable, with a system under which a vehicle must be declared off the road in advance.

Under the provisions of the Act, a declaration must be made in the last month of an existing motor tax disc or renewed in the last month of a previously made declaration of non-use. The declaration can be made for any number of calendar months between 3 and 12 months i.e. it cannot be made for a period of 1 or 2 months. However, if a vehicle is subsequently required to be put back on the road, the declaration can be broken at any time simply by taxing the vehicle.

Where a declaration is not made in advance, arrears of motor tax must be paid in full and motor tax paid for a minimum of 3 months before a declaration of non-use can then be made in the final month of the tax disc.

There are no plans to re-introduce retrospective declarations of non-use or to provide for the waiving of arrears of motor tax.

Bus Services

Questions (126)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

126. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the status of the roll-out of 24-hour bus routes in south Dublin including Dún Laoghaire and Rathdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44726/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Questions (127)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

127. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44740/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As transport accounts for 20% of Ireland’s national emissions, the decarbonisation of the sector is of critical importance for Ireland to achieve our emissions reductions targets and goals. In 2019 about half of transport carbon emissions originated from the passenger car fleet, while the heavy and light duty freight sectors together accounted for about a further 26% of Irish land transport emissions. Public transport (bus, rail and taxi) vehicles were responsible for approximately 4.5% of transport emissions.

Maximum impact in emission savings can therefore be achieved in the private car and freight sectors, by promoting a shift away from higher emitting and more polluting vehicles and fuels towards zero or low emission alternatives, and by assisting citizens to make the switch to active travel (walking and cycling). The transition of the public transport fleet (including buses, heavy rail and the taxi sector) to low-emitting technologies also plays a significant leadership and demonstration role in reducing emissions, in normalising alternative transport technologies, and in reducing air and noise pollutant emissions, particularly in Ireland’s towns and cities.

Given the complexities of the sector, and the varying maturity-levels of low emitting technologies for different vehicle types and uses, no single technology holds the key to the decarbonisation of transport. A range of technologies and strategies will be required to meet emissions reduction targets and to transition Irish transport to cleaner, more sustainable alternatives.

The Government has introduced a range of instruments and strategies to assist the necessary transition of the transport sector to sustainable alternatives. Underpinning all of these is the Government’s recognition that clean mobility strategies require technical, evidence-based and innovative solutions. As Ireland is largely a transport technology taker, my Department is also monitoring international and national developments in emerging low and zero-emission technologies, such as the potential future role of renewable hydrogen in transport, and the recent European Commission call for participation in a study on potential emission reduction through the retrofitting of existing passenger cars and vans.

Given the urgency of reducing emissions from the transport sector, my Department welcomes the development and implementation of such technologies and initiatives. Where such technologies involve the modification of existing vehicles, due consideration must, of course, be given to the safety and effectiveness of any modifications. Vehicle owners or operators must also meet their legal obligation to ensure that their vehicle is maintained in a roadworthy condition, regardless of the system of propulsion or the fuel used.

The Deputy will also be aware that my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and his Department plays an important role providing start-ups with advice and support. I also understand that a meeting between the individual concerned and officials in my Department is being arranged.

Rail Network

Questions (128)

Ciaran Cannon

Question:

128. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Transport if he has commenced a feasibility study on the double tracking of the rail line connecting Athenry to Galway city; and if not, when he expects to do so. [44743/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I can confirm to the Deputy that the National Transport Authority (NTA) is funding a feasibility study in relation to service capacity on the Athenry to Galway corridor. The study will assess the optimal solution to increase frequency/capacity between Galway and Athenry on the Galway line.

I am informed that the tender process launched late last year and contracts will be awarded next month, with the study expected to conclude by Q3. The study is likely to identify a significant package of works to improve this section of rail line.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (129)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

129. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if his Department or State agencies under the aegis of his Department have awarded contracts to a company (details supplied); if so, the value of such contracts; if the contracts were tendered for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44796/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

My Department can confirm that this company is not a registered supplier of services to the Department of Transport. No contracts have been awarded by my Department to this company.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (130)

Seán Canney

Question:

130. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport the number of capital project contracts final accounts that have exceeded the tender value by more than 20% in each of the years 2010 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44815/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As 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. TII is, therefore, responsible for the distribution of funds under the Capital Programme for the implementation of the National Roads Programme in accordance with Project Ireland 2040, within the framework of the NDP. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.

I also, as Minister for Transport, have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure. Many capital rail infrastructure projects are operational matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ).

Noting TII's responsibility in relation to the National Roads Programme and the responsibility of the NTA and IÉ in relation to public transport, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (RLR) is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works is a matter for decision by the local authority.

Because of the major cutbacks in funding for regional and local roads during the post-2008 recession, the Strategic Grant Programme relating to significant regional and local road improvement projects was curtailed from 2013 until provision was made in the 2016 Capital Investment Plan to restart a modest programme. Schemes are being managed on a programme basis with phased implementation taking account of the profile of annual capital allocations.

Four RLR projects have been completed in the period 2010 to 2020 and the final cost of the construction contract for one of those projects exceeded the tender value by more than 20%. In the case of that project the uplift on the original tender price was 21%.

Rail Network

Questions (131)

Duncan Smith

Question:

131. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if there are future plans to use the trainline in Duleek, east County Meath, which is currently in use by a company (details supplied) on the old Navan to Drogheda line for commuter purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44831/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As the 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 operations of public transport.

The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Motor Insurance Data

Questions (132)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

132. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the deadline for completion of the project regarding the motor third party liability database that is intended to facilitate An Garda Síochána in detecting uninsured drivers which was originally legislated for in 2010 and had an original completion deadline of quarter 4 of 2018. [44832/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this. I think we both agree on the importance of robust tools to address uninsured drivers, who are not only acting illegally and putting a burden of cost on law-abiding drivers, but are often also drivers who are also behaving dangerously in other ways.

As I have indicated before, the legislation in this area has been problematic since it was first passed in 2010. As the project evolved it became clear that the legislation needed further amendment, which was done first in 2016, and then again in 2018.

The project has reached a point where I think we can be clear on the final legislative needs, and I have indicated that I expect this to be addressed in the forthcoming Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which I expect to publish in the New Year. The Deputy will appreciate that this is not straightforward or simple to legislate for, touching as it does not only on road traffic law, with both domestic and EU aspects, but also the evolving regulatory environment for personal data and requiring the use of both State and privately-held records. I look forward to seeing the database fully operational. It will, as the Deputy says, provide a valuable tool for the Garda in addressing uninsured driving, will make our roads safer, and also I hope bring down insurance costs for the honest regular driver.

Bus Services

Questions (133)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

133. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport the time-frame for the provision of funding and for the commencement of services for the Carlow town bus service project, which now sits at the top of the list of recommended projects for funding by the NTA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44858/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As the 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 operations of public transport.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators. Therefore, the issue raised is a matter for the NTA and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply.

Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Bus Services

Questions (134)

James Lawless

Question:

134. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the service improvements that are planned for the No. 115 Bus Éireann service to Kilcock, County Kildare, in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44877/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As the 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 operations of public transport.

The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Bus Éireann, and 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Road Projects

Questions (135)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

135. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport if he or his officials have engaged with TII with a view to maximising the potential for native tree planting on existing TII lands adjacent to national road routes in circumstances in which such planting would comply with all relevant road safety demands (details supplied) and provide the State with an additional capacity for increasing biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44898/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As 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 operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This also includes all TII landholdings adjacent to national road routes.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51