Written Answers Nos. 3-27
3. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if financial supports or incentives are available to employees who temporarily employ a person through the community employment scheme and then wish to employ that person on a part-time basis during or after their placement. [22454/21]
View answerThe Government has worked to support businesses with a comprehensive range of measures for firms of all sizes. Details of the wide range of COVID-19 schemes and measures for businesses are available on my Department’s website at https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
In relation to supports for employers temporarily employing people through the community employment scheme I refer you to my colleague Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Social Protection, who has remit over employment supports.
4. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 166 of 21 April 2021, concerning the announcement by the IDA that it plans to appoint a consultant in Israel, the systems and processes in place to ensure that enterprises which break international law and operate in the illegal Israeli settlements are excluded from consideration by the IDA; the way in which the Irish public can be reassured that a State agency funded by taxpayers and for which he has responsibility is fully compliant with Ireland’s international legal and moral obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22485/21]
View answerIDA Ireland’s overseas teams and office network are vital to support the agency’s efforts in winning new Foreign Direct Investment across the world. From time-to-time the Agency seeks to expand its global network of offices and teams. Many firms are looking to expand into new markets and Ireland is a proven location for global companies to grow and serve their customer base in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.
As an Agency of my Department, I expect IDA Ireland to act in line with Government policy and the Agency has assured me that this is the case. IDA Ireland respects obligations under Irish and International law. IDA Ireland is in the process of selecting a part time Business Development Consultant to assist it in attracting investment into Ireland from companies headquartered in Israel and have advised that any new arrangements with Consultants working for the Agency will adhere to Irish Government policy.
Ireland’s position on the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory informs our engagement with the State of Israel across a range of bilateral issues, including trade, and will continue to do so. Ireland distinguishes between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967.
Ireland is wholly opposed to Israeli settlements, which are contrary to international law, and are damaging to the prospects of peace.
UN Security Council Resolution 2334, adopted on 23 December 2016, calls on all States to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. This Resolution reflected the position already held by Ireland, the EU and the UN for many years.
Ireland consistently raises human rights issues in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory at the highest international levels, including most recently at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Ireland remains steadfast in its support for a comprehensive two state solution which protects the future of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.
5. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps that can be taken to provide low to zero interest loans to SMEs that will struggle to reopen after lockdown and are responsible for 80% local employment in some areas. [22558/21]
View answerSince the onset of the pandemic, my Department has worked to ensure that there are measures in place to help businesses to access appropriate financing in response to the challenges of trading in the environment brought about by COVID-19. Initially, this meant the adaptation or expansion of existing schemes to ensure support could be in place as quickly as possible. The first two such schemes to launch were the COVID-19 Business Loan available from Microfinance Ireland [MFI] and the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme [WCS].
MFI provides vital support to microenterprises by filling the lending gap in the market by lending to businesses that cannot obtain loans from other commercial lenders. It lends to business that do not meet the conventional risk criteria applied by commercial lenders and applies interest rate charges for its lending which are not reflective of its credit risk.
Subsidised rates of interest have been applied in respect of MFI’s COVID-19 Business Loan with an interest rate of 4.5% available to all micro-enterprises where the application is made through the Local Enterprise Network or where referred by a bank or Local Development Committee. The new rate for direct applications to MFI is reduced to 5.5%.
Under the terms of the SBCI COVID-19 WCS, the maximum interest rate that can be applied to a loan is 4%, which represents a significant saving when compared with other similar lending in the market.
While these adapted supports were deployed as quickly as possible, work was also under way on the development of a tailored loan guarantee scheme to fit the specific needs of COVID-19-impacted businesses. Launched in September of 2020, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme [CGS] makes up to €2b in lending available to businesses that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Where eligible, the scheme also allows for the refinancing of other COVID-19-related debt.
The COVID-19 CGS was developed with the specific goal of widening the pool of participating lending institutions. To that end, the participating finance providers under the scheme include three banks, four non-bank lenders, and nineteen credit unions. The delivery of these schemes through commercial finance providers allows the Government to leverage existing lending infrastructure that these lenders have in place around the country, ensuring accessibility for impacted businesses.
However, the operation of loan schemes through commercial finance providers also means that there is less scope to bring the interest rates down further than they are at present, as some interest must be charged by lenders if they are to cover overheads and capital costs if they are to continue to work with Government.
Significant effort was made to achieve the lowest interest rates possible under the scheme, but there are capital requirements that the participating finance providers must meet, as well as costs to them in delivering the scheme. As such, there is a variation in interest rates depending on the lender and the details of the loan sought, though 96% of loans drawn under the scheme have been provided at interest rates of between 2.5% and 2.99%.
It should be noted also that each of the loan guarantee schemes described above allow for moratoria or interest-only payment periods, depending on the participating providers’ assessment. This should also help in providing a degree of flexibility for businesses approaching reopening.
6. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce new extended producer responsibility schemes for the collection and processing of waste streams and to create stricter obligations within the existing schemes; the parameters of such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22424/21]
View answerThe Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy outlined the commitments to set up new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for the waste streams covered by the Single Use Plastics Directive including tobacco products, balloons, wet wipes and fishing gear. The introduction of EPR arrangements for other waste streams such as textiles, bulky waste, paint, medicines and farm hazardous wastes will also be progressed over the lifetime of the Plan. The ambitions outlined in the Waste Action Plan, and the provisions of SI 323 of 2020, which seeks to increase the effectiveness, cost efficiency and governance of EPR schemes, will also be applied to existing schemes as part of their renewal processes.
7. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he plans to extend the recycling list to include soft plastics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22426/21]
View answer8. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he plans to set targets for waste reduction, for reuse of product and for an obligation to incorporate recycled material with virgin raw material in key processes; and the range within which these targets are likely to fall. [22427/21]
View answer9. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions within the waste strategy which will be delivered in the remainder of 2021 and in 2022. [22429/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 8 and 9 together.
The Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy (WAPCE), Ireland's National Waste Policy 2020-2025, which I launched in September 2020, commits to developing a Waste Management Plan for a Circular Economy containing targets for reuse, repair and resource consumption. Pre-draft consultation has opened on this Plan, which is due to be introduced by Q1 next year.
In addition to this measure, the WAPCE contains some 200 measures which will be delivered on a phased basis over the 5 year lifetime of the Plan. Implementation of the WAPCE is now underway, including through extensive engagement with key stakeholders. To date significant progress has been made on a number of measures, including;
- The publication of a draft Circular Economy Strategy and the opening of a public consultation which can be accessed at https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/37078-public-consultation-on-the-proposed-publication-of-the-circular-economy-strategy/ ,
- Establishment of a Working Group to examine national end-of-waste applications,
- The legislative framework for a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic and aluminium beverage containers up to 3 litres will be in place in Q3 2021 and the scheme will be introduced in Q3 2022,
- The recent publication of draft Best Practice Guidelines for the Preparation of Resource Management Plans for Construction and Demolition Projects,
- The introduction of modulated fees for plastic packaging in 2021 and the inclusion of a number of measures from the Waste Action Plan relating to Enhanced Producer Responsibility (EPR) in new Ministerial approvals for two of the national EPR schemes with the remaining four due to be similarly amended as they fall for re-approval ahead of H1 2022,
- Activity is also currently underway that is supporting food waste prevention and recycling actions, awareness raising campaigns, and in the area of waste data and data flows.
Work is also ongoing on the preparation of a new National Waste Management Plan to replace the existing three Regional Plans. This Plan will contain, inter alia, targets for repair, targets for reuse and targets for reducing resource consumption and contamination. My Department is also well advanced with work extending the recycling list to incorporate soft plastics, and I look forward to making an announcement in relation to this in due course.
I am confident that this significant level of progress will continue to be delivered by my Department ensuring that the measures outlined in the Waste Action Plan will be successfully delivered within the lifetime of the Plan.
10. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding being allocated through the circular economy programme run by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2021 and in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22430/21]
View answerThe setting of budgets for individual Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programmes is a matter for the Agency as an independent statutory body. As Minister I have no role in the setting of specific operational budgets for the Agency. My Department provides annual funding to the EPA, in the form of an overall block grant to the Agency . In 2021, some €50,177,000 in such funding was provided to the Agency from the Department's Vote. An allocation for 2022 will be the subject of discussion between the Agency and the Department within the normal budgetary process later in the year.
As provided for in ‘A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, Ireland’s National Waste Policy 2020 – 2025’, the existing National Waste Prevention Programme led by the EPA is currently being reconfigured as a national Circular Economy Programme. The new Programme will be critical in accelerating Ireland’s move to a circular economy by businesses, householders and the public sector. The Agency's proposals for the reconfigured programme are currently open for public consultation and can be accessed at www.epa.ie/pubs/consultation/irelandscirculareconomyprogramme.html.
11. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when he will announce the outcome of the consultation and amendments that will be implemented along with timeframes for implementing changes to new solid fuel regulations for Ireland now that the public consultation on the development has ended on 2 April 2021; the date submissions made to the public consultation will be made available to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22455/21]
View answerEach year, some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. It is estimated that there are over 16,200 life years lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short- and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution. I remain committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge through a nationwide ban on smoky coal and enhanced regulation of other solid fuels.
The recent public consultation, which sought views on how we regulate all solid fuels that contribute to air pollution, was the first step in this process. My Department received more than 3,500 responses to the technical consultation, survey and questionnaire.
It is my intention to publish these submissions alongside a new, legally robust, and evidence-based framework for how we regulate all solid fuels in the near future.
12. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration has been given to changing the way in which Eircodes are allocated to new builds; if consideration has been given to working alongside utility service companies to identify properties in need of an Eircode; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22459/21]
View answerCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, assign Eircodes to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory, a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their licence agreement. Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licenced businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my Department that over 139,000 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015.
Once the Eircode database is updated on a quarterly basis it is then a matter for individual Eircode database providers to release updates to commercial businesses in accordance with the terms of their licence agreements. Householders who have queries relating to the Eircode of their property can contact Eircode by email at hello@eircode.ie or by phone at 0818 300 005
Early assignment of Eircodes is contingent on An Post facilitating the increased frequency of new and changed addresses from quarterly to monthly to Eircode through their subsidiary An Post GeoDirectory. My officials are working with An Post, Ordnance Survey Ireland, An Post GeoDirectory and Eircode to expedite the process of assigning Eircodes for new properties with postal addresses and geo-locations.
13. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport when he expects driver tests to resume for persons that have completed the EDT; if additional driving instructors will be recruited to eliminate the backlog when tests resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22365/21]
View answerDuring the level 5 period, driving tests will be available only to those who are involved in essential services, including essential retail work. The Road Safety Authority offers driving tests to those who have completed their required 12 Essential Driver Training lessons and can produce evidence that they are an essential worker, in accordance with Government definitions. No exceptions can be made.
While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I must emphasise, that these decisions have 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.
Any decision regarding the reopening of the services will be determined in consultation with the relevant health authorities.
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 services can resume as soon as it is safe to do so. The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time, and in this as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis, my Department will be guided by NPHET and national experts.
The RSA is making good progress in recruiting an additional 40 driver testers, that were sanctioned by my Department and the expectation is that they will be available to conduct tests by the end of June 2021. In addition to the existing complement of driver testers, this will add much needed capacity to the
service .
Approved Driving Instructors (ADIS) are entirely independent operators. It remains down to individual driving schools and instructors to meet the demand for lessons as they see fit when normal service resumes.
14. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport when he expects driver education training and CPC case study for haulage drivers to resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22366/21]
View answerDriver CPC training has been classified as essential and training has been taking place during the recent restrictions. There are many training organisations who have facilitated inhouse training for their own drivers, other organisations who have facilitated training to the public and in addition to this some CPC training organisations have chosen not to conduct training during level 5.
In summer 2020 an extension was provided for the holders of Driver CPC cards expiring between 1st Feb 2020 and 31st August 2020, a further extension was granted to this group of drivers recently in addition to making provision for the holders of CPC cards that expire or are due to expire between 1st Sept 2020 and 30th June 2021. Any driver who holds a card that expired or is due to expire within that timescale will benefit from an extension to their expiry date. This will take the pressure off some drivers having to complete their training during restrictions.
While the Theory Test centres (facilitated by Prometric) have been closed during level 5 restrictions, they have put provision in place for drivers who wish to complete a bus/truck theory test or case study theory test so they can complete these tests remotely. The link below will provide more information for the driver on the theory test and how to check if their laptop/desktop is compatible etc.
https://theorytest.ie/general-information/proproctor-remote-test/
15. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting on a driver theory test, CPC case study for haulage drivers, driver education training and driver tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22367/21]
View answerThe details requested are held by the Road Safety Authority. 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.
16. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport if he is in receipt of an application by Mayo County Council (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the seriousness of the situation involved and the damage caused to the road network as a consequence of the current situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22381/21]
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. 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.
An allocation of €15 million is being made available in 2021 to local authorities funded under my Department’s regional and local road maintenance and renewal grant programmes for Climate Adaptation and Resilience schemes. In March this year local authorities were invited to submit applications for Climate Adaptation and Resilience Works, for consideration for funding in 2021.
An application has been received from Mayo County Council, which includes a scheme for seawall renovation works on the R313 in Belmullet. Applications are currently being assessed taking into account the terms applying to the scheme and the available budget for the grant programme.
17. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a list of guidance documents that should be taken into account in the design of urban roads and streets in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22393/21]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
Several publications are available to local authorities to assist them in the design of urban roads and streets and in the promotion of a safer interaction between road users. The Department's Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS), the National Cycle Manual, Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland and the Traffic Management Guidelines (TMG) all set out a range of criteria which impact on the design of urban roads and streets. The urban area should be designed by the local authority for a balanced approach to ensure safe interaction between different types of road users and to encourage active travel.
18. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding taxi drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22394/21]
View answerI recognise that COVID-19 has had a profound impact on small businesses across the country with the public transport sector being especially affected as public health restrictions have necessarily discouraged people from travelling generally. Taxi and other small public service vehicle (SPSV) operators, who are particularly dependent on the hospitality and tourism sectors, have faced a particularly pronounced drop in demand for their services.
It is in recognition of these difficulties that the Government has introduced a wide-ranging programme of supports with broad eligibility criteria for individuals and businesses which have been adversely affected by COVID-19. Many of these supports can be accessed by self-employed taxi drivers including liquidity and investment measures from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as well as the Enterprise Support Grant and the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) from the Department of Social Protection.
It is recognised that SPSV operators, like many self-employed individuals, face expenses such as insurance and car financing costs. That is why operators can avail of the Self-Employment Income Scheme. This allows recipients to earn up to €960, net of expenses, in a given 8 week period without losing their entitlement to the PUP. Furthermore, individuals exiting the PUP may also avail of the COVID-19 Enterprise Support Grant, a once-off grant of up to €1,000 which can be used towards the costs associated with reopening a business, including the purchase of cleaning materials and personal protective equipment.
I remain committed to supporting the transition of the SPSV sector towards zero/low-emission vehicles and I have increased the funding available to the Electric SPSV (eSPSV) grant scheme from €1 million in 2020 to €15 million in 2021. Furthermore, in view of the particular challenges faced by operators of older vehicles, I have doubled the amount payable under the scheme to €20,000 for operators who scrap older vehicles and make the switch to full electric models. Additional amounts are available for those switching to vehicles which are both electric and wheelchair accessible. There has been a strong interest in the revised scheme since its launch in February with over 400 applications received to date.
My Department has provided up to €2.6 million to the NTA to enable it to waive standard vehicle licence renewal fees for 2021. In relation to age limits for taxis and hackneys, this is a matter for the NTA as statutory regulator. I can confirm, however, that the NTA has extended age limits for taxis twice since the start of the pandemic and I trust that the NTA will keep this issue under active review as the situation progresses
In relation to the issue on insurance, I’d like to inform the Deputy that the NTA has engaged with the insurance industry and will facilitate a suspension of SPSV insurance for those SPSV operators who decide to temporarily stop working and suspend their licences. Operators who suspend their licences will be able to either reduce their monthly premium or receive a refund from their insurer, depending on their individual arrangements with their insurer.
The National Transport Authority, as statutory regulator for the sector, will continue to engage with the industry and communicate regularly with individual SPSV operators in relation to the ongoing impact of COVID-19. My Department and the NTA will also continue to engage from time to time with stakeholder groups, including driver representative groups. I am also due to meet with the Advisory Committee on SPSVs at its next meeting on Thursday 29 April.
19. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if no application for a rail order in respect of MetroLink will be made until such time as the feasibility study into the extension of the Metro to south-west areas of County Dublin has been completed. [22404/21]
View answer20. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the reason the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland business case proposal should be considered in the implementation of the transport strategy when that strategy never contemplated a city centre terminus nor the possibility that such a terminus could be in place for decades. [22405/21]
View answer21. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the reason the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland business case proposal should be considered in the implementation of the transport strategy when the clear outcome of the public consultation process was that there is currently no agreed southside solution to reach Sandyford, County Dublin. [22406/21]
View answer22. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the criteria used by the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to select Charlemont as the preferred MetroLink terminus. [22407/21]
View answer23. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the studies carried out by the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to substantiate the selection of Charlemont as the preferred MetroLink terminus location above other city centre locations such as St. Stephen’s Green or O’Connell Street. [22408/21]
View answer24. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if the proposed construction of a tunnel beyond a city centre terminus to Beechwood and the proposed construction of a station at Charlemont effectively preordains a future decision to proceed with the National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s preferred route of a segregated aboveground metro route along the Luas green line to Sandyford, County Dublin. [22409/21]
View answer25. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the way in which expenditure on the partial construction of its preferred route of a city centre tunnel to Beechwood with a Charlemont station will be a valuable use of taxpayers’ money; and the way in which spending that money now will reduce the risk and cost of the ultimate Metro South project. [22410/21]
View answer26. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the estimated total costs of constructing MetroLink south beyond the two high profile city centre stations (details supplied). [22411/21]
View answer27. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the contractual arrangements in place between the National Transport Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and a developer (details supplied) for the construction of the Charlemont station box; the capital cost of these works; when the developer is due to be refunded; the approval the NTA and TII have for incurring actual metro construction costs in advance of submitting the MetroLink business case and in advance of obtaining a railway order; if the NTA and TII requested the developer to apply for planning permission for the station box; the legal grounds on which the NTA and TII is of the view that a metro station box is not required to have planning permission granted as part of a railway order; and the legal grounds on which the NTA and TII is of the view that the Charlemont metro station box has obtained valid planning permission when it was included in the planning permission for an office development and it is not a requirement for or part of that office development. [22412/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 19 to 27, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. At a policy level the position is quite clear, the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035 is the statutory transport strategy and that Strategy sets out a comprehensive range of interventions across all modes of transport in the GDA.
The Deputy will be aware that in relation to light rail infrastructure, and more particularly metro, the Strategy set out the intention to further develop the network over the twenty year period through the implementation of two specific metro projects described as:
- New Metro North - light rail link from the south city centre to Swords and serving Dublin Airport, operating in tunnel under Dublin City Centre, and providing a high frequency, high capacity service;
- Metro South - Luas Green Line Capacity Upgrade from the south city centre to Bride’s Glen, completing a full north-south high-capacity high-frequency cross-city rail corridor through the central spine of the Metropolitan Area;
The Deputy will also acknowledge that this is exactly what has been progressed since 2016 with the development of the MetroLink project which has been subject to extensive non-statutory public consultation over the last three years. The Deputy will also acknowledge the wealth of information which is available on the dedicated project website which outlines the development of the project since its initial consultation period and the changes that have taken place to the scope of the project and the rationale behind those changes.
I can confirm that MetroLink’s Preliminary Business Case has now been submitted to the Department and is being considered in line with the Public Spending Code. Once that consideration is complete I will bring the Preliminary Business Case to Government for its decision as is required by the Public Spending Code. If approved by Government, and subject to the completion of the necessary environmental and planning documentation, the project will then proceed to An Bord Pleanála for its decision.
In relation to the specific development at Charlemont referred to by the Deputy, those particular construction works relate to a private development being constructed by a private company pursuant to a planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanála. Details of that planning permission and conditions attached thereto are available to view on the website of An Bord Pleanála and operational issues as those referred to by the Deputy are a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).
The Deputy is right to note that the NTA is currently reviewing the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area as it is required to do every six years under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, and indeed is the right thing to do given it is a twenty year rolling strategy. The review will allow for consideration of other potential projects such as possible new metro lines, over and above the metro lines proposed in the existing Strategy.
Noting the NTA's statutory responsibility in relation to public transport infrastructure development in the GDA, I have referred the operational aspects of the questions to them for their consideration and direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
