Written Answers Nos. 423-441
424. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport if the Sligo rail freight yard is included in the Iarnród Éireann report on rail freight; the timeline for the publication of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20287/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I have a strong interest in this area and I see potential for the development of rail freight in Ireland. Our Programme for Government commits us to a 7% average annual emissions reduction and the shift of some freight traffic from road to rail can make a contribution to achieving this.
In co-operation with my colleague Minister Nichola Mallon MLA from the Northern Ireland Executive, I recently launched a procurement process in relation to a Strategic Rail Review of the network on the island of Ireland. This review will consider all issues in relation to inter-urban and inter-regional rail connectivity, including the potential for high/higher speed(s), rail freight and, in that regard, improved connectivity to our ports and airports. I expect work on the review itself will commence by the summer and I look forward to seeing this important piece of work progress in the coming months.
Irish Rail has also been preparing a Rail Freight Strategy with the support of outside consultants to guide the company's actions to 2040 in relation to growing its rail freight operations. I have referred the Deputy's question in relation to that report to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
425. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the grants and schemes available to those wishing to replace their petrol and diesel cars for e-bikes and cargo bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20290/21]
View answerCurrently there are no schemes or grants available to support the transition from internal combustion engine cars to e-bikes or cargo bikes. As the Deputy will be aware, tax policy including the Cycle to Work scheme is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance, in the first instance. I very much welcomed the announcement of increased purchase price thresholds assisting the purchase of more expensive bikes under the existing Cycle to Work Scheme as part of the 2020 July Stimulus package. The increases are in line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government.
To address the Deputy's question regarding grants and schemes and noting the Minister for Finance’s responsibilities in the tax area, I believe the issue can be considered more fully in the context of my Department’s review of Sustainable Mobility Policy which is currently ongoing. I intend that the new policy framework will provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government across the sustainable mobility programme, including active travel, and look forward to the completion of this important work in 2021.
426. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to assist companies to replace their car fleet at the earliest possible date given that it has been established that by removing all cars in excess of 15 years old off the roads it will deliver 20% reduction in emissions from cars by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20297/21]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that there is a range of incentives place to support the uptake of EVs, including commercial vehicles. These include:
- EV Purchase grant scheme (vans and light trucks up to €3,800);
- Home Charger grant scheme - up to a maximum of €600
- VRT relief of up to €5,000 for the purchase of BEVs and up to €2,500 for PHEVs;
- Benefit-in-Kind tax relief for battery electric vehicles;
- Grants of up to €20,000 to support the purchase of electric vehicles in the taxi/hackney/limousine sector, with the highest level of grant available where older taxis are being scrapped;
- Accelerated Capital Allowances for businesses;
- Low rate of annual motor tax; and
- Tolling reductions of 50% for battery electric vehicles and 25% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
More information is available at .www.drivingelectric.ie.
My Department is also working closely with a number of key stakeholders, including Local Government, to ensure electric vehicle charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand.
The Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway Working Group was convened to produce a roadmap to achieving the near one million EV target by 2030 and to continue the concerted efforts across several Departments to hasten the current trajectory of EV sales, including commercial sales. The Working Group has considered regulatory, financial and taxation policies to help drive a significant ramp-up in passenger EVs and electric van sales from very early in the decade.
Finally, the Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government published in June last year, commits to publishing an electric vehicles infrastructure strategy. Once completed, the strategy will provide a key framework for ensuring we continue to have sufficient infrastructure in place to keep ahead of demand, while also ensuring that appropriate planning and development guidelines are followed in providing the necessary capacity. It is envisaged that the strategy will be published this year.
427. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action he plans to take in order to achieve the target of 51% given that the Climate Action Plan 2019 sets out emission reduction targets of 35% from transport which is seen as very challenging and totally reliant on hitting an electric vehicle target of 1 million by 2030 which has now been set to be achieved within that timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20298/21]
View answer428. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to have the reduction of 51% in the use of private cars given the target is now set for a 51% reduction in transport and it has been established that private cars account for 75% of all journeys and 79% of all journeys by private cars are made outside of Dublin in which there is little or poor public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20299/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 428 together.
To help tackle our climate challenge, I am strongly committed to achieving substantial carbon abatement within the transport sector. Accounting for a little over one fifth of Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions, there can be no question, but that transport must feature strongly in contributing towards the national decarbonisation effort.
The Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2019 recognised that Ireland must expand and accelerate its policies to tackle climate disruption and, noting the role that transport must play, committed to 45-50% emissions reduction in the sector by 2030 (relative to pre-NDP projections). To achieve this level of reduction ambitious targets were set such as almost one million electric vehicles (EVs) on Irish roads by 2030. In light of the Programme for Government commitment to achieve a 7% average annual emissions reduction it is now evident that actions under CAP 2019 alone will not be sufficient to meet the Government's increased ambition. Therefore, work is underway to develop a CAP 2021. My Department is currently engaging in analytical and modelling work to help determine the nature and scale of measures required to achieve the step-up in emissions reduction.
Preliminary findings suggest that a focus on greater EV market penetration and increased biofuel blending will remain as key elements of the transport emission reduction strategy given their strong mitigation potential. The initial analysis also suggests that reducing transport demand and moving more trips to sustainable means will also be required. I will continue to ensure that we invest in increasing capacity and improving access and quality across the wide range of sustainable mobility options. I am also considering ways to better manage the demand for transport. In fact, my Department recently published Phase 1 of the Five Cities Demand Management Study which considers different measures to promote modal shift and constrain private car demand. I am also keen to build on some of the positive large-scale changes we have seen in travel patterns over the past year under public health restrictions, through embedding a greater shift towards more sustainable mobility and supporting practices that reduce the need for travel.
When finalised the CAP 2021 will chart a course to reduce transport greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in line with our Programme for Government commitment. This will advance us toward the ultimate goal of a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. In the interim, ongoing work to reduce emissions continues apace even as we prepare the next CAP. The Deputy will have seen the recent publication of interim actions that we are committed to implementing while CAP 2021 is being developed ensuring continued momentum of our emissions reduction effort across the transport sector.
429. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of providing free public transport in a full year in areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20310/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services and also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services by way of public transport services contracts in respect of services that are socially necessary but commercially unviable. The funding of those services comprises both the fares paid by passengers and the subvention payments from the Exchequer. The main purpose of the subvention payment is to meet the gap between income from fares and the cost of operating services.
The provision of public transport services is heavily dependent on passenger fare revenue as it normally contributes about 65% of the operational cost. The remaining 35% of cost is covered by the PSO grant and the Department of Social Protection grant under the Free Travel Scheme. In Budget 2020, and prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, €288.667 million was provided for PSO, including approximately €8 million for Local Link rural regular services, which is in addition to €14.896 million provided for Local Link under the Rural Transport Programme (RTP). Due to the impact of Covid-19, which resulted in the collapse of fare revenue on public transport, a further €370 million (in addition to the c. €300m already provided) was allocated to enable the continued operation of public transport services in 2020. My primary focus is to ensure that public transport services continure to operate during this pandemic and I secured almost €659m for PSO services in 2021, of which €30m is to support the licensed bus sector.
Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance. I have therefore 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.
430. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to recent developments in relation to the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20326/21]
View answer432. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the developments regarding the CIÉ pension scheme; the actions he is taking to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20416/21]
View answer446. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to ongoing discussions taking place between CIÉ management and the membership of the CIÉ 1951 pension schemes as represented by their trade union group in relation to the future of these pension schemes; if he will intervene to resolve these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20693/21]
View answer454. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the status of the developments regarding the CIÉ pension schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20782/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 430, 432, 446 and 454 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
The CIÉ Group has two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”) and issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.
In relation to the RWS, CIÉ has prepared and submitted draft Statutory Instruments (SIs) to give effect to the proposed changes to the scheme, and these drafts are now being considered by my Department. There are several steps involved before an SI can be made, including the statutory consultation process.
Concerning the 1951 scheme, I understand that members are currently being balloted on a Labour Court recommendation which emerged on 23rd November 2020, with the ballot result expected in early May.
I have therefore referred the Deputies' questions to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
431. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the safeguards he will put in place in the Dún Laoghaire driver theory test centre when it reopens in the interest of public health (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20378/21]
View answerThe is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, and one in which I have no role.
I am therefore passing the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. If a reply has not been received within 10 working days, the Deputy should contact my office.
433. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the number of Leap cards sold in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [20421/21]
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 regulation of fares and for the collection and publication of statistics in relation to public passenger transport services. I have, therefore, 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.
434. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the lack of hackney licences being issued in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20432/21]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
435. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the difficulties in transferring hackney licence permits from one approved driver to another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20433/21]
View answerThe transfer of driver and vehicle licences for small public service vehicles, which includes taxi, hackney, and limousine licences, is prohibited under section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. There are no plans to adjust this provision at this time, the rationale being that a licence should indicate a person’s suitability to carry out a function and should not be transferrable to another person or have, by association, a monetary value or be tradeable on the open market or redeemable for a value.
Under the current Regulations the holder of a taxi, hackney, or limousine vehicle licence may rent or lease a licence to another person. Further information on rules for such arrangements can be obtained directly from the National Transport Authority, which is the statutory regulator for the sector.
436. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding actions he has taken to ensure connectivity both between and within rural communities in the absence of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20434/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
From a policy perspective, there is a need for a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland and the Programme for Government, 'Our Shared Future', commits to making public transport and active travel better and more accessible.
The Deputy will probably be aware that my Department has already been undertaking a review of sustainable mobility policy, which incorporates a review of public transport in rural areas. In this context the Department held a public consultation process between November 2019 and February 2020, and included a stakeholder event in the course of that consultation. Over 250 submissions were received as part of this public consultation process and I published a report of the public consultation.
I intend to develop a new policy framework for the next 10 years that can provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government across the sustainable mobility programme. The new policy statement will be informed by the review of the previous policy framework (known as Smarter Travel), submissions received during my Department's consultation process and the views and recommendations of other relevant stakeholders. It will provide a platform to advance the ambitions of the Programme for Government in the area of sustainable mobility, including active travel, and will replace the previous Smarter Travel policy, dating from 2009.
Our Programme for Government commitments in relation to public transport in rural areas will be progressed in the context of that new policy statement. Among the measures we will prioritise is a Sustainable Rural Mobility Plan to ensure settlements over a certain size can connect to the national public transport system, expanding the Local Link rural transport service and prioritising public transport projects that enhance regional and rural connectivity.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has responsibility for local and rural transport, including the management of Local Link services.
The NTA has undertaken a nationwide study to inform its approach to rolling out improved public transport across the country (excluding the GDA, Regional Cities and Large Towns) by providing better connections between villages and towns by linking them with an enhanced regional network connecting cities and regional centres nationwide.
Arising from this study, I am advised that the NTA is undertaking a two-phase consultation on its proposals, titled 'Connecting Ireland'; which began with local authority officials and other key stakeholders on the main concepts of Connecting Ireland, and will be followed by a wider public consultation in Q3 2021 on the proposals.
I have referred the Deputy's specific question in relation to connectivity both between and within rural communities to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within ten days.
437. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the investment in public transport infrastructure in urban versus rural areas or by region in each of the years 2018 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20451/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in the breakdown required.
I would note that in non-urban areas the main investment in public transport relates to public transport services (bus and rail), funded through public service obligation funding, and also fleet (primarily bus), which is funded through capital investment programmes.
My Department will look to provide additional information in line with Standing orders in relation to this specific request.
438. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport when an iOS app will be available for the Leap card. [20465/21]
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 the provision of Leap Card technology.
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.
440. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will be proposing an extension to the ten-year rule for taxis given the financial hardship most taxi drivers are now facing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20529/21]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including age limits for vehicles, is a matter for the statutory regulator, 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.
441. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport his plans for investment in rail projects as outlined in the Programme for Government including projected timelines and associated costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20531/21]
View answerI think there has been good progress made in relation to the rail investment proposals made under the Programme for Government as agreed in June 2020.
First and foremost, and as committed in the Programme for Government, Government has protected existing services by continuing to ensure that the level of payment required to operate the Public Service Obligation fleet is adequate to maintain and improve service capacity and frequency. This funding has ensured continued access to public transport for essential workers across the country throughout the COVID-19 health emergency.
In relation to rail in our regional cities, there has also been substantial progress with a feasibility study underway in Galway in relation to proposed improvements along the Athenry to Galway corridor and investment announced under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) to support infrastructure works at Oranmore station and improvement of Ceannt Station. URDF funding has also been announced to support the movement of Waterford’s Plunkett Station to the North Quays. In Limerick, options are being considered for the enhancement of rail services in the city region as part of the development of its metropolitan area transport strategy, while in Cork plans are being advanced to implement the rail-based elements of its metropolitan area transport strategy.
The protection and renewal of our rail infrastructure is of paramount importance and last year a new €1billion, 5-year investment programme was agreed, which I was delighted to be able to supplement further in both last year’s July Stimulus and this year’s Budget with additional funding provided toward the Dublin-Cork track enhancement project which will deliver an improved passenger experience along that hugely important line.
In December, the Government noted the conclusions of the report on the proposed re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor Phases 2 and 3 and my intention to commence a strategic review of the inter-urban / inter-regional rail network generally. This review will be conducted on an all-island basis in co-operation with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive, and in recent weeks Minister Nichola Mallon MLA and I jointly launched the procurement process in relation to it, with work on the review itself expected to commence in the summer.
Of course, planning and design has continued on the development of DART+, the largest ever investment in our rail infrastructure and services, and in a few months I will bring a memorandum to Government seeking approval for that programme to move forward to the next Decision Gate under the Public Spending Code, which will be a hugely significant step forward. In addition, construction commenced last summer on the National Train Control Centre which will benefit rail service delivery right across the country. Progress has continued throughout the last year on building the 41 additional carriages which will add capacity to the network once they enter into service in 2022. I also expect the City Centre Resignalling Project to conclude in Dublin later this year.
Finally, I was delighted to be able to announce additional funding in Budget 2021 toward the ‘Big Lift’ programme which is upgrading stations across the network to help people with mobility difficulties to more easily access rail services, an issue which featured specifically in the Programme for Government.
