Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
264. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if an issue will be addressed regarding shuttle buses (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14746/21]
View answerAs Minister of Transport, I am committed to achieving substantial carbon abatement across Ireland’s society and economy, and to securing an efficient and low-emission transport system. The transport sector accounts for approximately 20% of Ireland’s national green-house gas emissions, and transformational change is required if the sector is to reduce emissions in line with national and international commitments.
Improving public transport is central to providing an alternative to private car travel in the country as a whole, not only to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions in towns and villages like Killarney, but also to enable the sector to cater for the increasing demands associated with growing population and employment in a greener and more environmentally sustainable way. Transitioning to a low-emission public and private transport fleet will also fulfil a strong leadership and demonstration role—promoting alternative fuel use to wider society and familiarising citizens and transport users with alternatively-fuelled vehicles. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, the transition of the national bus and coach fleet also offers benefits in terms of reduced noise and air pollutant emissions and associated health benefits, particularly in our towns and urban centres.
I am also aware of the challenges that the necessary transition away from fossil fuels poses to the Irish road transport sector. To address this challenge, I am pleased to be able to tell you that I recently launched a new Alternatively-Fuelled Heavy Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme to assist commercial road transport operators and companies across the State to transition to alternatively-fuelled vehicles.
The AFHDV Grant supports the purchase of new, non-retrofitted large vans, trucks, buses and coaches with an unladen design gross weight of more than 3.5 tonnes. It is intended to help bridge the difference in purchase price between conventional heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and those powered by alternatively-fuelled power-trains that offer environmental benefits over standard diesel vehicle technologies. Grant amounts awarded to successful applicants are calculated as a percentage, ranging between 40% to 60% of the difference in price between diesel and alternatively-fuelled technologies, depending on the size of the company or enterprise applying for the Grant. Eligible battery electric vehicles such as buses and coaches are included under the Scheme, as are a range of other alternatively-fuelled heavy duty vehicles.
Further information on the Scheme, including how to apply, the vehicle categories and fuel types supported, the Scheme Rules and terms and conditions and information on the calculation of grant amounts is to be found on the website of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, link here: https://www.tii.ie/roads-tolling/tolling-information/afhdv-scheme/
