Written Answers Nos. 354-379
354. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered introducing a requirement for identification to be provided by the buyer of a car when ownership is being transferred to avoid a situation in which a buyer can provide a false address. [15530/21]
View answerThe Master Licence Record (MLR) programme was approved by the previous Minister of my Department, and the Minister for Justice. The programme seeks to assist in the endorsement of penalty points by matching vehicle and driver records on the Departments National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF), and over time, by establishing owner identity for all vehicle records. While the initial phase involved associating vehicle owner records with driver records by matching existing NVDF records, the next phase of the MLR programme primarily involves establishing vehicle owner identity when individuals engage with other Departmental systems, such as change of vehicle ownership and application for motor tax.
The Office of Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) has drafted primary legislation in the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2020 to enable this, and my Department is further engaged with the Attorney General’s office on the mechanisms of how such identities are captured. Once the draft legislation has been finalised, my Department will engage with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) for guidance on the subject.
355. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of all the applications by local authorities for the 2021 funding allocations for sustainable transport projects (details supplied). [15542/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including cycling infrastructure.
Details of individual projects are matters for the NTA and the relevant local authorities; accordingly I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
356. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport his views on the ongoing suspension of the theory test service; and if his Department has considered allowing the return of professional categories such as for taxi drivers and heavy goods vehicle drivers. [15564/21]
View answerThe Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service under Level 5 restrictions. The service will remain closed while level 5 restrictions remain in place. No exceptions will be made. While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I must emphasise, that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home in so far as is possible and minimising social contacts.
The RSA, together with its service provider, have put plans in place to increase capacity in the service for when it can re-open. This will see an increase in capacity from an average pre Covid19 level of 15,000 appointments per calendar month to up to 50,000 when the service resumes. This will help manage the backlog of customers and shorten waiting times.
In addition to the increased capacity initiative, the RSA is working to deliver an online driver theory test service. The online service has been trialled on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses and is now being evaluated with a view to extending the online service to all test types during 2021. However, scaling up operations to facilitate higher numbers will take time to achieve.
358. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons that have used airport testing in Irish airports in which testing is available; the number of incoming international travellers that have used the testing; the number of local residents that have used the facility for private tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1392/21]
View answerThe Government decision of 20 October 2020 affirmed that any testing model implemented for international travel should not impinge on HSE testing capacity. In light of this, the State Airports 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.
There have been a total of 93,158 bookings for Covid-19 tests up to 15 March 2021 across both service providers since testing facilities opened in November 2020 at Cork Airport and Dublin Airport. In the region of 4,100 Covid-19 tests have been carried out by the private testing provider located at Shannon Airport up to 18 March 2021.
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 service.
359. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to extending the community involvement scheme for the new areas of Cork city which were areas of Cork county and should not be disadvantaged as a result of boundary changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43591/20]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (RLR) is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) is based on community contributions within the range of 15% to 30% and the purpose of the CIS is to facilitate local community participation in the repair of local roads. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme.
Following the introduction of ring-fenced funding for a CIS programme in 2018 it was decided to provide funding over a two year period 2018/2019 so as to give local authorities more flexibility in delivering this programme. Towards the end of 2019, my Department invited local authorities to submit applications for CIS for another two year programme in the period 2020/2021.
Applications for a successor CIS programme will be sought from local authorities, including Cork and Galway City Councils, later this year.
360. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many over 70s have not received their licence renewal packs in the post and are having difficulties in trying to get through to the National Driver Licence Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44937/20]
View answerDriving licence renewal packs are generally issued approximately one month before renewal date. The last renewal packs for driving licences were issued in early January for driving licences expiring in February.
A driving licence extension was announced on 24 February 2021 therefore renewal packs for driving licences were not issued for the month of March.
The extension will apply to different groups of licence holders including those who benefited from extensions in 2020. The change is applied as follows-
Any licence holder, who has not already renewed, and whose licence expired between 1 March 2020 and 31 May 2020 will have a new expiry date of 1 July 2021.
Any licence holder, who has not already renewed, and whose licence expired between 1 June 2020 and 31 August 2020 will have thirteen months (which includes the previous extension) added to their expiry date. By way of example a licence which expired on 31 August 2020 will have a new expiry date of 30 September 2021.
Any licence holder, who has not already renewed and whose licence expiry date is between 1 September 2020 and 30 June 2021 will have an extra ten months added to their expiry date. By way of example a licence which expires on 30 June 2021 will have a new expiry date of 30 April 2022.
It is expected that the next driving licence renewal reminders to be issued for the month of July will issue approximately two months in advance of the renewal date.
361. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if there have been delays to the MetroLink project due to the Covid-19 pandemic as of January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1397/21]
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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including light rail / metro.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
362. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans to deal with backlogs and cancellations of driving tests, theory tests, NCT exams and driving lessons due to the lockdown in January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1396/21]
View answerMy 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 has inevitably impacted 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.
Following discussions with the RSA, my Department has approved the hiring of a further 40 temporary testers for 22 months, and the process of recruitment is now underway. However it will take some time for people to be selected and trained.
These new hires will be in addition to the 36 temporary testers who I previously gave sanction to rehire during 2020.
These measures will help to increase testing capacity. However, I would like to stressthat many of the issues impacting on the delivery of service are concerned with the throughput of centres themselves in light of the restrictions, rather than on the availability of staff.
The RSA are also looking at a number of other measures, including whether the number of tests a driver tester can perform each day can be increased. Any decision on this matter will be guided by health protocols.
The Department has been in discussions with the RSA on how to return to the normal target for the maximum waiting time, which is around ten weeks. It is clear that it will not be possible to arrive at this quickly, given restraints which must be in place due to the pandemic. It is important to recognise that there are no quick fixes and that the continuing build-up of applications as the pandemic goes on means that it will take time to reach a normal waiting time.
Covid-19 has also had a profound effect on the delivery of the Road Safety Authority’s driver theory testing services and a significant backlog has developed. Under current level 5 restrictions, the driver theory test has not been deemed to be an essential service. As a consequence, the service is closed while level 5 restrictions remain in place.
The RSA, together with its service provider, have put plans in place to increase capacity in the service for when it can re-open. This will see an increase in capacity from an average pre Covid19 level of 15,000 appointments per calendar month to up to 50,000 when the service resumes. This will help manage the backlog of customers and shorten waiting times. Much like the driver testing service, it will take time for the theory test service to return to normal waiting times.
The NCT has been identified as an essential service, and as a result, it is not expected that there will be any interruptions to the service. With this in mind, I do not foresee any backlog arising as a direct result of the lockdown in January 2021.
Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) are entirely independent operators and neither the Road Safety Authority nor the Department can dictate how they run their individual businesses.
363. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether his refusal to introduce a mandatory system of airport testing for the past nine months of the Covid-19 pandemic has directly led to the soar in positive cases and deaths in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1395/21]
View answerIreland's response to the Covid-19 pandemic and international travel is determined by Government taking account of expert public health advice.
A range of mitigating measures have been put in place on aircraft and at the airports with the objective of protecting public health. Specific sectoral protocols for travel by air and sea were developed in consultation with the public health authorities and with industry, who are implementing the measures. These travel protocols incorporate European guidance concerning air travel health safety and set out the expectations and requirements on industry to ensure safety of passengers, staff and crew as regards public health and include key requirements such as health declarations by passengers at check-in; allowing only passengers intending to travel to enter airport terminal buildings; the wearing of face coverings by passengers and staff, increased sanitation measures in relation to aircraft, airports, and where possibly physical distancing . The Protocols for the Safe Management of Passengers (by air and sea) in light of COVID-19 are available on gov.ie.
Air Carriers have made the use of face coverings onboard aircraft mandatory. Airports and Air carriers have in place enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures, promotion of hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and limiting contact with surfaces, through announcements and signage and provision of hand sanitisers. Further to this, Air Carriers have reduced in-flight service.
Air Carriers provide for physical distancing of passengers where possible. However, subject to passenger load, configuration and operational considerations, physical distancing will not always be possible on-board aircraft. This is mitigated by, among other measures, the use of High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters which have been installed in all modern commercial jet aircraft and provides a higher level of health safety assurance. Air Carriers have put in place maximised fresh air intake and/or air filtration using HEPA Filters, or air conditioning as appropriate.
Currently, passengers are asked to confirm in advance of their flight that they will not travel if they are symptomatic for Covid-19, have tested positive in the last 14 days; that they are a close contact of a confirmed case of Covid-19, have been advised by doctors to restrict their movements. If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’; the passenger is not permitted passage.
It is a mandatory requirement for passengers arriving in Ireland, including if they are travelling onwards to Northern Ireland, to complete a Covid-19 Passenger Locator Form. The form must also be filled out by those who arrive via Northern Ireland and have been overseas in the 14 days prior to arrival in Ireland.
The form must be completed online during the 48 hours prior to arrival and allows incoming passengers to be directly informed on the up to date public health advice and also supports contact tracing in event of a passenger testing positive for Covid-19. An exemption from completing the form is in place for providers of essential supply chain services such as hauliers, pilots and maritime staff.
Since 16 January 2021, all passengers arriving into Ireland (unless exempt) are required to have evidence of a negative or ‘not detected’ result from a pre-departure COVID-19 RT-PCR test that was carried out no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Ireland. Passengers are asked to present evidence of their negative/not detected result before boarding their airplane and will be denied boarding if they cannot produce such evidence or do not claim to fall into an exempt category.
Since 4 February 2021, a 14-day quarantine period must be undertaken at the address specified on the Passenger Locator Form. Persons who travel from another country to Ireland, and arrive via Northern Ireland, must also observe the mandatory quarantine regime.
Passengers may only leave their place of residence during the quarantine period for unavoidable reasons of an emergency nature to protect a person’s health or welfare, or to leave the State. Passengers may also leave to take a RT-PCR test no less than 5 days after their arrival – if they receive written confirmation that the result of this test is negative/’not detected’ their period of quarantine can end. They must retain the written confirmation of their test result for at least 14 days.
The limited exemptions from the requirement to complete mandatory quarantine are:
- Patients travelling for urgent medical reasons
- international transport workers in possession of an Annex 3 Certificate; Drivers of Heavy Goods Vehicles; Aviation and maritime crew
- Gardaí/defence forces, while carrying out their duties
- travel to the State pursuant to an arrest warrant, extradition proceedings or other mandatory legal obligation
- diplomats, or travel to perform the function of or provide services to an office holder or elected representative
- transit passengers who arrive for the purposes of travelling to another state, and who do not leave the port or airport.
From Friday the 26 March mandatory quarantine at a designated facility will be required for passengers who have been in the designated 'high risk' countries in the 14 days prior to their arrival in Ireland.
364. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the current guidelines regarding capacity for public and private transport with regard to buses, trains and taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1394/21]
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 public transport was designated amongst the essential services that have continued to operate during the Covid crisis. I would like to thank all 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 safe operation of services during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures across the network.
The Government's "Living with Covid Plan" and subsequent "Recovery and Resilience Plan" sets out capacity guidance for public transport at each of the 5 risk levels identified in the Plan and provides guidance for the public about using public transport at the different risk levels: including that wearing face coverings is mandatory, and encouraging the use of off-peak services and sustainable active travel alternative options, where feasible.
The country moved from Level 3 to Level 5 of the Plan with a number of specific adjustments at Midnight on 24 December meaning public transport went from using 50% to 25% of vehicle capacity with effect from 26 December. Further announcements were made by An Taoiseach on the 30 December and 6 January introducing additional health restrictions including the closure of all non-essential businesses and schools with public transport continuing to operate at 25% of vehicle capacity. The NTA has advised customers to continue to only use public transport for necessary journeys and to avoid peak-time travel. The advice is aimed at ensuring public transport is safeguarded for those who need it most and in particular frontline workers.
Both my Department and the NTA are closely monitoring public transport demand and will continue to be guided by public health advice.
The Deputy also asks about the current guidelines regarding capacity for taxis. Although, the recent guidelines state that capacity in the context of public transport is restricted to 25%, the NTA has informed me that this is understood to relate to mass public transport which small public service vehicles do not provide. The guidance previously outlined in respect of SPSV usage during Level 5 restrictions therefore stands i.e. that it is permissible, during the COVID-19 emergency period and in line with Public Health guidance on social distancing, for SPSV drivers to restrict the seating of passengers to the rear seats as physical distancing is important to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
Where the Public Health advice on social distancing cannot be maintained, drivers and passengers should maintain as much distance as possible. Drivers and passengers are also required to comply with the regulations concerning face coverings and journeys should be kept to 15 minutes or less wherever possible. Good ventilation (i.e. keeping the windows open) is also recommended to reduce the risk of transmission.
365. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the protocols put in place for Ireland’s ports to deal with knock on affects from Brexit; the protocols put in place for Irish roads linking or close to depots and sorting centres here to ensure regular traffic is not adversely impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1393/21]
View answerSince 2018, detailed work has been underway across Government, led by the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform, to invest in the infrastructure, systems, and staffing required for additional checks and controls for trade with Great Britain at Dublin Port, Rosslare Europort and Dublin Airport. The State Agencies - Revenue, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, and the HSE have each put protocols in place to manage the operation of the checks and controls. Likewise they have worked together to harmonise their approaches to the extent possible and to ensure minimal disruption to the port operations. I am aware that the agencies are continuing to monitor, assess and where feasible enhance the systems and procedures in place.
In light of the potential for Brexit-related traffic congestion at the Port to impact on adjacent roads, the Port Tunnel, and the motorway system, a Traffic Management Group, chaired by my Department and including representatives of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Dublin City Council, An Garda Siochána, OPW, Revenue Commissioners and Dublin Port Company was established. The Groups’ remit was to consider and put in place contingency plans for the potential knock-on impacts on city traffic management in advance of the original Brexit deadline of 29 March 2019.
This Traffic Management Group developed a contingency plan which defined the roles and actions of the various agencies and the associated communications plan operational plan. Following that, and prior to the end of the Transition Period on 31 December 2020, the plan was updated to take into account developments that occurred in the intervening period. Details of the Plan were published on Gov.ie in December 2020.
Since 31 December 2020, traffic levels in the Port and on the adjacent road network have been lower than anticipated and there has been no requirement to activate the Traffic Management Plan. The traffic levels, including through the Port Tunnel, are being actively monitored by Dublin City Council, Dublin Port Company and Transport Infrastructure Ireland as part of the Traffic Management Group. This ongoing and coordinated monitoring provides the information necessary to the Traffic Management Group to trigger implementation of a phased traffic management response, if required.
366. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand the passenger and freight rail network including the Navan rail line and the Western rail corridor given that 2021 is the European Year of Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1839/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government – Our Shared Future sets out a very clear vision to fundamentally change the nature of transport in Ireland and I believe that rail has a role to play in achieving that change.
The Deputy is right to highlight that 2021 has been designated by the European Union as the Year of Rail and I believe that this Government is demonstrating its commitment to that designation in a number of different ways.
First and foremost, there is the investment planned in improving rail infrastructure and services. In this year’s Budget I secured additional funding to allow for track improvements on the Dublin – Cork line and to accelerate the lift / escalator replacement programme, which improves the accessibility of the network generally and particularly for those with reduced mobility. Throughout the year, construction will continue on the new National Train Control Centre, as well as the 41 additional rail carriages ordered for the commuter rail fleet, while it is expected that the City Centre Resignalling Project will be completed this year too.
I also expect to bring to bring the DART+ Preliminary Business Case to Government for its approval under the Public Spending Code. This will be the largest ever investment in the network in the history of the State and can potentially transform rail services across the Greater Dublin Area, including along the Dunboyne line in Meath. In recent weeks the Deputy will have seen funding announced to support works at Ceannt Station in Galway, as well as Oranmore which complement the announcements made last year in relation to Waterford station and there are also improvements planned for Colbert Station in Limerick.
These investments are all in addition to the approximately €202million of investment that will occur this year in the protection and renewal of the network as part of the €1billion 5-year Infrastructure Manager Multi-Annual Contract and which increases service reliability and punctuality, improves journey times and ensures continued safety of rail services.
Secondly, there is a need to continue to plan for the future and again this year will see significant progress. At a national level, we will shortly launch a strategic rail review which will examine all aspects of inter-urban and inter-regional rail on the island of Ireland. This review will consider the potential for high-higher speed and will also examine the potential for increased rail freight on the network. At a regional level, there is work underway in both the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area and the Greater Dublin Area to develop a new transport strategy in the first instance and review the existing strategy in the second. This review in the Greater Dublin Area will allow for a reconsideration of the potential of a Navan rail link and I have no doubt the Deputy will welcome the review and the consultation planned for later in the year.
I am looking forward to participating in the European Year of Rail 2021, and any associated events, as we seek to improve and develop the rail infrastructure and service offering for our citizens.
367. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if further emergency PSO funding will need to be provided to support the public bus and rail services; the amount intended to be provided in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1840/21]
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. Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the NTA. The allocations to the companies are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
Public transport’s designation as an essential service throughout the pandemic means that, although fare revenues have collapsed, most of the cost of operations remains and must continue to be met in order to fulfil Government’s broader policy objectives. For 2021, I secured in excess of €640m from the Exchequer in respect of the PSO and Local Link allocations to public transport operators. By comparison, the level of PSO and Local Link funding provided in 2019 was in the region of €300m.
An additional amount of €30m is provided in 2021 as ongoing support for the licensed bus sector. In January 2021, the Government agreed that the Department and the NTA can continue to provide financial support to that sector for an initial extension of 3 months with an option to extend contracts on a monthly basis subject to engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Due to the current Level 5 restrictions in operation, fare revenues on all modes of public transport continue to be severely depressed. My Department, in conjunction with NTA, will continue to monitor PSO, Rural Transport funding and other commercial bus support during 2021.
368. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that it is safe for driving instructors, driving testers and NCT workers to continue working during the current Covid-19 restrictions; the assessments conducted to inform this view and supports provided to keep workers safe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1841/21]
View answerThe operation of the NCT and Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and as such the RSA, and its service providers, are responsible for the health and safety of staff under health and safety legislation, including assessments of their various functions, and developing safety protocols to ensure the safety of their workers. The RSA have provided the Department with comprehensive information concerning the measures that have been put in place across all their services to ensure they can continue in a safe manner and in line with HSE and HSA guidelines.
The Department notes that since the resumption of the Driver Testing Service in the summer 2020, in spite of the inherent risks in a service which inevitably involves testers and test candidates in close proximity in a confined space, there has been no case of Covid transmission during the driving test.
Under current level 5 restrictions, driver tests are continuing but at a significantly reduced capacity, due to the suspension of tests for all but essential workers.
Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) are entirely independent operators and neither the Road Safety Authority nor the Department can dictate how they run their individual businesses. The level 5 legislation introduced by the Minister of Health means that driving instruction can continue as an essential service, albeit in extremely limited circumstances. It does not mean that instruction has to continue, or that driving instructors are obliged to teach against their will. It is up to each driving instructor or driving school to make the appropriate choices to protect themselves, their families, and their customers.
369. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the areas under his remit he hopes to improve under the upcoming review of the National Development Plan 2018 to 2027; the new criteria to assess the need for roads projects; if he has secured a commitment for additional funding for new or expanded roads and other projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1842/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to bring forward the review of the National Development Plan (NDP) and to use the review to set out an updated NDP for the period to 2030. The review of the NDP is a broad and wide ranging review. It seeks to strengthen the alignment with the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040 as well as to take into account key developments since the launch of the current NDP in 2018. It will examine developments in the context of each National Strategic Outcome. It will take into account the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. It will also take into account the impacts of "Brexit" and Covid-19 as well as reflect key policy developments in areas such as Climate Change and the completion of Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies (RSESs) for the three Assembly Regions.
Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, and in line with the 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 ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the NDP.
Phase 2 of the NDP review will entail setting ten year capital ceilings out to 2030 as well as rolling five year Departmental ceilings. This phase has not yet commenced and funding decisions for the Department’s investment programmes will not take place until this phase of the review.
370. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the reason that online driver theory tests for those learning to drive a car are not available given that theory tests for those learning to drive buses and trucks are; his views on whether an online theory test for car learner drivers can help reduce the current backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1843/21]
View answerMy Department had previously requested that the Road Safety Authority, as the body legally responsible for the driver theory test, examine whether theory tests can be taken on line remotely and what is required to do so.
Remote theory testing has been trialled, during the months of December and January, on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses. The pilot is now being evaluated and the RSA is committed to extending the service for all theory test types during 2021. There will be a limit on the number of customers that can avail of the service during the initial rollout phase, but the objective is that it should be an option for all theory test customers during later phases of the rollout.
As remote testing facilitates additional capacity whilst also enabling the service to continue in the event of further lockdowns, it would be expected this would greatly help in returning the service to normal waiting times.
371. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is considering changes to the current driver licensing regulations for holders of foreign licences in particular for holders of a full US licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15619/21]
View answerThere is a distinction between motorists with a foreign driving licence visiting Ireland and those living in Ireland. For non-residents, currently under the Convention on Road Traffic 1949 (Geneva Convention), drivers from Contracting States carrying a valid driver’s licence can drive on each other’s roads for up to a year when visiting. Residents in Ireland must have an EU licence.
Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. It is important to remember that driver licensing law exists to ensure that people licensed to drive on our roads meet high standards of safety. The standards for testing drivers are set at EU level.
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, we may make bilateral agreements on licence exchange. These agreements can be made only when the relevant authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the two licensing regimes, so that each side can be satisfied that they are compatible. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The RSA has previously explored reaching agreement on exchange with the USA. However, US driver licensing operates at state rather than federal level, meaning that there are 50 licensing systems with widely varying standards and indeed widely varying road safety performance, many with levels of road fatalities significantly worse than most EU countries. Agreement with any one state would mean taking into account the exchange relations between that state and the other 49. The RSA determined that agreement would not be possible, without endangering road users in Ireland.
When people come to Ireland with a non-exchangeable licence, we have 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 may have a safe driving record, we have no way of measuring this.
People with a full but non-exchangeable licence go through the normal driver learning process but can avail of the shorter Essential Driver Training of 6 lessons instead of the usual 12, and they do not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.
Some might have preferred to abolish the EDT altogether for people in this position but it is clear that some lessons would be useful in helping people to adjust to Irish driving rules and conditions and in preparing people for the driving test.
372. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 10 December 2020, if a bridge inspection has been completed at the N70 bridge at Castlemaine, County Kerry; if remedial works have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15623/21]
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 operation and management 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.
373. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to help the RSA deal with the inevitable backlog of driver test applications that it faces as Covid-19 restrictions ease. [15649/21]
View answerThe driving test service is not currently operating as normal due to the impact of Covid-19. Tests are only available, under Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, to those involved in the provision of essential services.
RSA driver testers are undertaking driving tests in extraordinarily difficult conditions in the current Covid19 environment. The driving test is conducted in an enclosed space for a period of over 15 minutes, where physical distancing is not possible.
Given the significant risk to testers when conducting a driving test, Government has deemed that the driver testing service should be available ONLY for essential workers in Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. The Road Safety Authority offers driving tests to those who can produce evidence that they are involved in essential services.
I fully appreciate the difficulties that this poses for learners. I must emphasise, however, that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home in so far as is possible and minimising social contacts.
My Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to help the service meet the growing demand for tests within the current public health situation. An additional 40 driver testers have been authorised, along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. Recruitment has commenced and a panel will be formed. However, hiring of testers requires advertising, selecting candidates and training. Newly hired testers require 7 weeks of training in order to be ready. Training is given by experienced testers, so while new hires are in training the capacity of the service is reduced.
The RSA are also looking at a number of other measures, including whether the number of tests a driver tester can perform each day can be increased. Any decision on this matter will be guided by health protocols.
Until Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions have been eased, no progress can be made on addressing the backlog; however, the Road Safety Authority has plans in place for when the service is allowed to resume for all learner permit holders to be tested at the earliest possible date, and a gradual return of driving test times to their pre-Covid levels.
374. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the impact the loss of toll income has had on the road projects that Transport Infrastructure Ireland is carrying out. [15650/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the upgrading, construction and management of individual national roads is a matter for TII in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the income yield therein, are within the remit of TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working day
375. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport his plans to meet driving instructor representatives regarding the conditions of their work during the Covid-19 pandemic. [15651/21]
View answerApproved Driving Instructors (ADIs) are not employed either by my Department or the Road Safety Authority. Individual instructors and schools function as entirely independent private operators and neither my Department nor the Authority can dictate their work conditions or how they choose to run their businesses. It is up to each instructor or school to make the appropriate choices to protect themselves and their families.
I understand moreover that the Authority has been in regular communication with ADIs right through the pandemic and has provided timely updates as to the status of driving instruction under various levels of Covid restrictions. In particular, the ADI Stakeholder Forum, which is recognised as the only broadly based representative forum for the ADI community as a whole, has an ongoing and constructive engagement with the Road Safety Authority. I understand that the Forum has just recently been invited to make a submission to the Oireachtas Transport Committee on behalf of ADIs as whole and I look forward to their engagement.
377. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Programme for Government commitment to require that all new urban buses be electric hybrid or electric; if this plan has begun; the percentage of new buses that are hybrid or electric since March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15665/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government makes a commitment that all new urban buses will be electric hybrid or electric. This commitment reflects the technologies currently available in the area of urban fleets as opposed to those fleets which service longer regional and rural routes.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has certain statutory responsibilities for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the procurement of the national bus fleet.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
379. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the implications following Brexit in regard to the UK land bridge and the supply chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1845/21]
View answerA key priority for my Department in the lead up to the end of the transition period was to ensure continued freight connectivity with both our UK and EU markets. Over the first two months of 2021 we have seen substantial changes in volumes and flows in these markets as businesses reacted and adjusted to the new trading environment.
Analyses by the Irish Maritime Development Office for my Department shows that for the first two months of 2021 there was a decline of 39% in the number of Roll-on / Roll-off trailer units on Ireland-GB routes (including 50% on the Holyhead – Dublin route) when compared to the same period in 2020.
The analyses indicated an increase in the number of trailer units of 78% on direct Ireland – EU routes. It estimated an overall decline in RoRo units to and from Ireland of 20%. The IMDO concluded this overall decline can be attributed to two main issues: economic factors (e.g. stockpiling in Q4 2020, covid supressed demand) and shifting trade patterns.
The most noted impact is the decline on the Central and Southern Corridors with the biggest impact, in volume terms, on Dublin Port. This is partly explained by the volumes in some cases using NI ports rather than Dublin, by the diversion of GB Landbridge traffic to direct services, and also the impacts of stockpiling in Q4 2020. The overall situation is seriously impacted by Covid and the collapse in passenger numbers.
The drop in volumes on these corridors are of particular concern to my Department. Prior to 1 January 2021, the GB Landbridge was the preferred route to EU markets for accompanied RoRo traffic as it was the most reliable and the shortest route to continental EU markets. Since the 1 January, we have seen a considerable transfer of this traffic to direct routes to continental ports.
The available capacity provided by shipping companies to facilitate this transfer is very welcome and I expect that increased volumes on these direct services will remain a feature of the future. However, from a national perspective, the Central and Southern routes are also of strategic importance to Ireland for accessing GB markets and also as a viable option for continuing trade with the EU via the GB Landbridge.
Concerns around transiting the Landbridge have been raised on a number of occasions with my Department, including in our Shipping Stakeholder Forum and our Haulage and Logistics Stakeholder forum. The UK’s accession to the Common Transit Convention (CTC) allows EU goods to transit through the UK without undergoing full customs import and export formalities on entry and exit from the UK. To avail of the benefits of the CTC, there are certain new requirements, including new paperwork, as well as the need for each consignment to have a financial guarantee in place to cover the potential customs duties and other taxes at risk during the movement.
Ireland continues to work with neighbouring Member States and the European Commission to ensure that the UK landbridge remains a viable route to market for Irish traders including most recently a meeting between French and Irish officials to review experiences in the first two months after Brexit. There is also ongoing contact between Irish and Welsh officials on Brexit issues arising, including in relation to the use of the Landbridge.
In relation to the new border controls, the relevant State agencies continue to work around the clock to ensure trade can flow to the greatest extent possible. Where difficulties have arisen for users in specific cases, the State agencies are engaging directly – whether with the companies, representative organisations or individual drivers – to get the issues resolved.
