Written Answers Nos. 290-309
290. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a situation in which a person (details supplied) is waiting over nine months for a driver theory test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16988/21]
View answerI can assure you that the Department is very aware of the challenges facing the RSA and its contract provider as they work hard to further manage the backlog in the Driver Theory Testing Service. The 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. 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.
Theory tests were first suspended due to Covid-19, in March 2020. The service resumed, on a gradual basis, in mid-June. When operations resumed, there was inevitably an increased level of demand due to the consequent backlog. Unfortunately, due to social distancing and other public health and hygiene requirements, service capacity was considerably reduced and customers experienced longer waiting times.
Level 5 restrictions took effect again for six weeks from 22 October 2020 to the 01 December andwere re-instated again from the end of December. The service will remain closed while we remain in level 5.
The RSA is engaging with its service provider to examine ways of increasing the number of tests within the current health constraints for when services resume. In this regard, the aim is to double capacity at test centres over a three-month period. Subject to decisions on future Covid 19 restrictions, this will mean that additional capacity would be made available in April, May and June 2021.
Normal capacity before the pandemic was approximately 15,000 tests per month. When the service reopened in June 2020, this was increased to 25,000 to deal with the backlog which had developed by that point. Based on the capacity of 25,000 tests per month, the aim is to provide an additional 25,000 tests per month on top of this for the first 3 months of reopening, or a total of 75,000 extra test appointments over the three-month period. This would make substantial inroads into numbers waiting over that time period.
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.
As you can appreciate, the first priority has to be public safety – we want to provide services, and we know that people are looking for services, but services can only be provided to the limit possible while preserving public health.
291. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the support he is putting in place for the chauffeur sector, which has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16989/21]
View answerI recognise that the passenger transport sector has been acutely affected by COVID-19 as public health restrictions have necessarily discouraged people from travelling generally. Small public service vehicle (SPSV) operators have been badly affected due to their dependence on the hospitality and tourism sectors. Limousine operators, who are particularly dependent on overseas tourism and major events, have suffered a near total drop in demand for their services and many have been simply unable to work since the pandemic started in March of last year.
The Government has introduced a wide-ranging programme of supports for businesses like these that are adversely affected by Covid. These supports include wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and business advisory supports. Many SPSV operators, including limousine drivers, have been able to avail of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment which remains open to new applicants. This payment continues to provide an important safety net to operators, recognising their dependency on other sectors of the economy, notably the hospitality industry.
As mentioned, limousine drivers are particularly dependent on tourism and the 2021 Budget put in place a number of substantial measures to support and strengthen that sector. The total funding for the tourism sector has increased in 2021 by over €59 million or 36% over the initial 2020 allocation in Budget 2020 to €220.9 million. Further details on these measures are available from my colleague, the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, Catherine Martin T.D.
Measures to support the SPSV industry have also been taken by the industry’s statutory regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA). These measures include the waiver of vehicle licencing fees for 2021, the waiver of late renewal fees, and the facilitation of insurance suspensions for vehicles in conjunction with the insurance industry.
292. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if the forthcoming legislation on e-scooters includes the requirement to have private insurance and be registered with an appropriate State body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16990/21]
View answerMy intention is to legislate for e-scooters in accordance with the Programme for Government this year. This involves identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary legislation across a range of complex areas. The work is being carried out in such a way so that it does not undermine the overall framework of Road Traffic law or road safety in general. Department officials are currently working on drafting the necessary changes to primary legislation which I intend to bring forward as committee stage amendmentsin in the Road Traffic Bill.
The current approach taken by my Department to permit the safe use of e-scooters on public roads takes into consideration the rapid development of these vehicles used for personal transportation. In order to future-proof the legislation and account for the development of these new vehicles, the road traffic acts are being amended to introduce a new category of vehicle - the proposed title for this new category is "powered personal transporters". This will be the first time the categories of vehicles set out in the Road Traffic Act 1961 have been amended.
Once the new category has been defined, these vehicles are to be incorporated into the existing legislative framework (wherein a range of powers/offences already exist) and this will permit the Minister for Transport to regulate for the use/misuse and the standards for different types of powered personal transporters through the introduction of regulations for e-scooters. Furthermore, the existing offences and powers of An Garda Síochána in road traffic legislation concerning careless/dangerous driving, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, driving an unroadworthy vehicle. etc., can also then be extended to users of powered personal transporters where required.
This new category of vehicles for private use will not be subject to registration or insurance regulations. However, owners may take out private insurance and will be strongly encouraged to do so.
293. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons who travelled on all rural link routes in County Cork in each of the years 2015 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16991/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
294. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding NCT testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17033/21]
View answerI would firstly seek to clarify to the Deputy that all Member States of the European Union are required by law to carry out a periodic roadworthiness inspections on motor vehicles at regular intervals throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. This is an essential safety check and an important road safety measure that provides for a reduction in road accidents by detecting defects such as faulty brakes, worn tyres or defective headlights.
The applicable dates for periodic testing is provided for by national legislation. Under Regulation 3(2) of the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415/2017), the initial test due date for a vehicle is determined using the date of registration of that vehicle and subsequent test due dates fall on anniversaries of that date. Accordingly, all test due dates are predetermined based on the date of registration of a vehicle and any NCT certificate issued in respect of a vehicle is only valid up to the test due date that falls after that certificate was issued.
While it is not possible for me to comment on individual circumstances, I would remind the Deputy that vehicles under the scope of S.I. No. 415 of 2017 are required to have a valid NCT Certificate in force against that vehicle on the fourth anniversay of the first registration of that vehicle and "until the tenth anniversary of first registration of the vehicle, each subsequent biennial of that date". It is therefore only required to be tested on the subsequent biennial anniversary of the test due date, until such a time as it reaches its 10th anniversary of registration - when it will be required to be tested on each subsequent anniversary.
I would also remind the Deputy that is the responsibility of road users to ensure that their vehicle is in compliance with the law and in possession of a valid roadworthiness certificate if it is intended that the vehicle will be used on a public road or in a public place, regardless of the level of use anticipated. Enforcement of Road Traffic Regulations, including the validity of a roadworthiness certificate, is the responsibility of An Garda Siochana.
295. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if a licence can be renewed online in circumstances in which a person with an Irish driver licence is abroad and that licence is due for renewal given that the extension offered by way of a letter from the NDLS may not be recognised by local police and road authorities in other jurisdictions. [17043/21]
View answerThe current extension to the validity of Irish driving licences has been granted under EU Regulation 2021/267 and is recognised across the EU.
A person must be resident in Ireland to apply for an Irish driving licence. Where a person is living abroad and working on a task of a definite duration or attending a college or university generally, they can be thought of as resident in Ireland provided they have personal ties here.
In such cases, an application to renew a driving licence can be made by post to the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Details of how to apply can be found on the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) website here: www.ndls.ie/licensed-driver/driving-abroad.html#are-you-living-abroad-to-study-or-working-abroad-to-carry-out-a-task-of-a-definite-duration.
An application for renewal of a driving licence can only be made up to 3 months before the expiry date.
296. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the financial stress and threat to livelihood being endured by a cohort of bus and coach operators; his plans to meet with this small cohort of operators or a small delegation from an organisation (details supplied) to identify the issues affecting them with a view to securing a resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17111/21]
View answerFirstly I would like to explain that the School Transport Scheme (STS) is under the remit of my colleague, Norma Foley, the Minister for Education and Skills. The STS is operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland. I do not have plans to meet the organisation referred to by the Deputy as the services they provide are closed, private hire services under which the operators have contracts with either schools or parents, and all users would be known to the operators; this contrasts with scheduled public transport services which are provided on an open basis to the general public and for which the Government has provided substantial support to keep these services running for the public during the Covid heath emergency.
The Government has also put in place a wide range of financial supports available across the entire business sector - including those businesses referred to by the Deputy - that can help mitigate the impact of Covid-19. These include the Pandemic Unemployment Payment extended to end June 2021, the Wage Subsidy Scheme extended through 2021, the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Small Business Assistance Scheme (SBASC), grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates, and deferral of tax liabilities, all of which will help to improve cashflow. Futher details on the range of supports are available at www.enterprise.gov.ie.
Businesses may also wish to contact their Local Enterprise Office who can advise of supports that may be available.
297. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if essential workers will be allowed to complete lessons and sit driver tests under public health restrictions (details supplied). [17116/21]
View answerUnder level 5 restrictions, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date. Essential Driver Training (EDT) is thus currently suspended.
While I and my Department are fully aware of the difficulties that this poses for essential workers who have not yet completed their 12 EDT lessons, I must emphasise that this Government decision was taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home and minimising social contacts in so far as is possible.
Officials both in my Department and in the Road Safety Authority are keeping the public health situation under constant review and are working extremely hard to ensure that EDT can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
298. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if specific funding will be provided to local authorities to assist farmers in the construction of agricultural underpass crossings on non-national roads in which such facilities are deemed essential in the interests of public safety and particularly road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17117/21]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. While my Department provides grant support to assist local authorities with the maintenance and renewal of regional and local roads, a grant programme for the provision of road underpasses is not under consideration.
299. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if he has had the opportunity to meet with representative bodies for cabin crew, ground staff and airline cargo employees as part of the broader engagement of his Department with the airline industry regarding the recovery of the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17123/21]
View answerDepartmental officials, the Minister and I have maintained regular contact with key stakeholders throughout this crisis, including the representative bodies for aircrew and other avaition workers. Following discussions with trade union and employer representatives, the Government has agreed to strengthen the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) which has played an important role throughout the COVID-19 crisis. The LEEF deals with economic and employment issues relevant to the labour market and a sub-group for aviation has been established under my chair.
On 5 March 2021, Minister Ryan chaired a special meeting of the Steering Committee of the the National Civil Aviation Development Forum . The NCADF, which was established through a recommendation of the National Aviation Policy in 2016, brings together senior stakeholders in the aviation industry, mostly at chief executive level. The meeting provided an opportunity for very constructive engagement with members of the Committee, together with some other senior leaders from Irish aviation. It is clear from from my engagement with the aviation sector that the priority issue for all those involved in the industry is for planning to progress, as a matter of urgency, the reopening of international travel as soon as circumstances allow.
To this end, a sub-group of the NCADF has been tasked with developing proposals for restart and recovery of the Irish aviation sector. It is anticipated that the sub-group will present its report to the Steering group of the NCADF in the coming weeks. The work of the NCADF will inform Government decisions on the restart and recovery of the Irish aviation sector, which will also have regard to developments at EU and international level, and public health advice.
300. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeframe for the drafting of the proposed primary and secondary legislation to allow local authorities to regulate e-scooters. [17239/21]
View answerMy intention is to legislate for e-scooters in accordance with the Programme for Government this year. This involves identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary legislation across a range of complex areas. The work is being carried out in such a way so that it does not undermine the overall framework of Road Traffic law or road safety in general. Department officials are currently working on drafting the necessary changes to primary legislation which I intend to bring forward as committee stage amendments in in the Road Traffic Bill.
The current approach taken by my Department to permit the safe use of e-scooters on public roads takes into consideration the rapid development of these vehicles used for personal transportation. In order to future-proof the legislation and account for the development of these new vehicles, the road traffic acts are being amended to introduce a new category of vehicle - the proposed title for this new category is "powered personal transporters". This will be the first time the categories of vehicles set out in the Road Traffic Act 1961 have been amended.
Once the new category has been defined, these vehicles are to be incorporated into the existing legislative framework (wherein a range of powers/offences already exist) and this will permit the Minister for Transport to regulate for the use/misuse and the standards for different types of powered personal transporters through the introduction of regulations. Furthermore, the existing offences and powers of An Garda Síochána in road traffic legislation concerning careless/dangerous driving, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, driving an unroadworthy vehicle. etc. can also then be extended to users of powered personal transporters where required.
301. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who go for the national car test early receive a certificate from the date the test was carried out and in effect are paying twice for the period in which the new and outgoing NCT was covered for; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17247/21]
View answerI would firstly seek to clarify to the Deputy that all Member States of the European Union are required by law to carry out a periodic roadworthiness inspections on motor vehicles at regular intervals throughout the vehicle's lifecycle. This is an essential safety check and an important road safety measure that provides for a reduction in road accidents by detecting defects such as faulty brakes, worn tyres or defective headlights.
The applicable dates for periodic testing and voluntary testing is provided for by national legislation. Under Regulation 3(2) and 3(3) of the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415/2017), the initial test due date for a vehicle is determined using the date of registration of that vehicle and subsequent test due dates fall on anniversaries of that date. Accordingly, all test due dates are predetermined based on the date of registration of a vehicle. It is important to note that the NCT certificate relates only to the condition of testable items at the time of the test and does not constitute a warranty for their condition for the subsequent 12-month period. Any NCT certificate issued in respect of a vehicle is only valid up to the test due date that falls after that certificate was issued.
Where a vehicle is presented for a voluntary test not more than 90 days prior to its test due date, it will be issued with a test report valid until the dates outlined in Regulation 3(2). In the case of a vehicle being presented for a voluntary test greater than 90 days prior to its subsequent test due date, the next test due date shall be:
(i) until the tenth anniversary of first registration of the vehicle, each subsequent biennial of the date such test report was issued;
(ii) from the tenth anniversary of first registration of the vehicle, each subsequent anniversary of the date such test report was issued; and,
(iii) from the thirtieth anniversary of first registration of the vehicle, each subsequent biennial of the date such test report was issued.
There are no current plans to amend this legislation in respect of test due dates.
302. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Transport the status of the issuing of PSV licences for taxis; if the issuing of new PSV licences has been delayed due to Covid-19; and if there is a backlog. [17372/21]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
303. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the FETAC qualification level currently required for driving testers at national driving test centres; the timescale required to reach the necessary level; if all current testers have the required qualification including all of the 40 new testers recruited recently to clear the driving test backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17407/21]
View answerThe information requested is held by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days
304. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17437/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Irish Sign Language (ISL) Act 2017 commenced on 23rd December 2020.
My Department and the public bodies under its aegis with statutory obligations under the Act are committed to complying with Section 6 (Duty of public bodies) and Section 7 (Engagement of verified competent Irish Sign Language interpreters) of the Act.
A survey to facilitate reporting on the operation of the ISL Act is being completed at present by my Department and the public bodies under its aegis with statutory obligations.
305. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the details of the Acts falling under his Department which have been signed into law but have not been commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17455/21]
View answerThe table below sets out the details of the Acts falling under my Department which have been signed into law but have not been commenced.
|
Legislation Table |
Sections not commenced |
|
Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014 (No. 43 of 2014) |
Whole Act other than Section 69 |
|
Finance Act 1976 |
Sections 68 - 70, 72 and 75 (motor tax provisions) |
Full commencement of the Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Act 2014 (No. 43 of 2014) requires the establishment of a new electronic Irish Register of Ships and ship registration regime, which will be progressed under a separate IT project, and new ship registration regulations to complement the IT project.
It is not possible to indicate the timeframe for commencement given the need to develop the new electronic Register and regulations, and then to transfer ship registration information and functions from the Revenue Commissioners to the new Register and my Department. The current ship registration arrangements under the Mercantile Marine Act 1955 will continue for some time yet.
As the Deputy will be aware, there is a very significant body of Road Traffic law on the Statute book. Details regarding commencement of Sections of the Road Traffic Acts, including the relevant Statutory Instruments, can be found at the following link: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/ResultsTitleAct.html?q=road+traffic+act.
306. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with a company (details supplied) and Cork Airport regarding protecting jobs and existing routes from Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17456/21]
View answerThe Irish aviation sector is currently experiencing its most challenging crisis in its history. Many analysts are predicting that it will take several years for the sector to return to 2019 levels of activity. Traffic in 2020 was down around 80% on 2019, and revenue has fallen away dramatically as COVID-19 related restrictions on international travel continue to heavily constrain passenger traffic.
My officials and I have maintained regular contact with key stakeholders throughout this crisis, and Government has put in place a range of supports for businesses including the aviation sector. These supports include the wage subsidy scheme, waiving of commercial rates, deferral of tax liabilities, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme, the Credit Guarantee Scheme, and the SBCI Working Capital Scheme, with some of these now extended to 30 June 2021. Liquidity funding is also available through the ISIF Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund for medium and large enterprises.
Support for aviation workers is currently tied to the Governments general schemes to support all workers impacted by COVID-19. However, it cannot be excluded that targeted supports may be required later in 2021, particularly in the event that restrictions on travel remain in place throughout the forthcoming summer season.
As regards supports specifically targeted at the aviation sector, the Government agreed a revised funding package of €80 million for Irish aviation in 2021. A part of this package, over €21 million, is being provided to our Regional Airports Programme (RAP). The new RAP, published on 4 February, gives funding certainty to those airports up to 2025. Those airports eligible for RAP support are Donegal, Kerry and Ireland West (Knock). Additionally, €32 million is being provided to Cork and Shannon Airports through a new one-year COVID-19 Regional State Airports Programme. Both of these programmes have been created in line with EU State Aid rules.
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €26 million Irish state aid scheme to compensate airport operators, including Cork Airport, for the losses caused by COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by Ireland to limit its spread. This scheme will augment the supports already in place and help the industry to maintain connectivity and to make a recovery from the impacts of COVID-19.
307. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport when driver theory test services will resume; the reason theory test offices cannot continue to operate at reduced capacity; the number of theory tests that have been cancelled with level 5 restrictions; the efforts that will be made to clear the backlog being created as a result of full cancellation of theory tests; when further theory test categories will be made available online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17459/21]
View answerDetails on the number of theory tests that have been cancelled duringlevel 5 restrictions are held by the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this part of the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days
The 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.
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. It was decided, in a climate where only limited services are being provided in order to reduce the spread of Covid and where continuing services must be both safe and essential, that even if the theory test could be conducted safely it was not essential to the point of being needed during level 5.
The RSA is engaging with its service provider to examine ways of increasing the number of tests within the current health constraints for when services resume. In this regard, the aim is to double capacity at test centres over a three-month period. Subject to decisions on future Covid 19 restrictions, this will mean that additional capacity would be made available in April, May and June 2021.
Normal capacity before the pandemic was approximately 15,000 tests per month. When the service reopened in June 2020, this was increased to 25,000 to deal with the backlog which had developed by that point. Based on the capacity of 25,000 tests per month, the aim is to provide an additional 25,000 tests per month on top of this for the first 3 months of reopening, or a total of 75,000 extra test appointments over the three-month period. This would make substantial inroads into numbers waiting over that time period.
An online driver theory test service called Pro Proctor was trialled in December 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.
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 return to a normal waiting time.
308. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport his plans to offer an open tender for the lease or sale of lands on the Loop Head peninsula acquired for the Loran-C project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17482/21]
View answerThe lands are in the name of the Commissioners of Irish Lights. They are currently let on a conacre basis to local farmers. The current licences were offered for renewal on 1st March 2021 and will expire on 31st January 2022.
309. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport when an exchange driver licence will issue to an essential worker (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17566/21]
View answerAll enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). My Department does not have access to individual applications.
I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.
