Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Driver Test

Questions (201, 204)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

201. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport when learner driver theory tests will resume for driver lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24408/21]

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Chris Andrews

Question:

204. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport when persons that applied to sit the driver theory test will be given a date to sit the test in view of the fact that level 5 restrictions are being lifted; if there is an option for the persons to sit the test remotely; and the length of time it will take to process the backlog of theory tests given that level 5 restrictions have been lifted. [24480/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 204 together.

Currently, the Driver Theory Test is considered a non-essential service and remains closed for now.

Because the service was closed for long periods of time over the last year, a large backlog of customers has built up. The RSA recognise that it will take time to meet this demand and restore pre-COVID-19 waiting times when the service does reopen. The public’s patience and understanding in this regard is requested.

To deal with the backlog, the RSA is engaging with its service provider to examine ways of increasing the number of tests for when services resume. The aim is to increase capacity at all test centres to cater for additional appointments.

Pre-pandemic capacity was approximately 15,000 tests per month. When the service is allowed to reopen, the aim is to provide approximately 50,000 tests per month. This would make substantial inroads into the backlog.

A pilot online driver theory test is underway for trucks and buses. The rollout of this option to theory tests for cars is planned to begin shortly. There will be a limit on the number of customers that can avail of the online service during the initial rollout phase, but work is ongoing to make online services more widely available towards the end of 2021.

As part of the broader easing of restrictions across Irish society, the gradual reopening of the driving instruction industry will commence from the 10th of May.

Essential Driver Training (EDT) for cars may resume from the 10 May in circumstances where the learner in question is a confirmed essential worker. This cohort will be required to download and complete a self-declaration form from the RSA website which they must then present to their instructor before starting lessons. The RSA will also reopen the online EDT portal to allow instructors upload completed modules for the learners in question.

Departmental Staff

Questions (202)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

202. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons employed by his Department; and the collective total salary received by employees of his Department. [24464/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

There are currently 561 staff employed in my Department. The payroll allocation for my Department in 2021 is €35,630,000.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (203)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

203. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he or his Department employ persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by his Department to deal with public relations; the names of any firms involved; and the amount spent on public relations by his Department. [24465/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not entered into any contracts for public relations advice or consultancy.

Question No. 204 answered with Question No. 201.

Driver Test

Questions (205)

James O'Connor

Question:

205. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if the Covid-19 compliance capacity of learner driver test theory venues is being applied to overcome the current backlog (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24481/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The operation of the Driver Theory Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and as such the RSA, and its service provider, are responsible for the health and safety of staff under health and safety legislation, including assessments of their various functions, and developing safety protocols to ensure the safety of their workers.

The RSA have provided the Department with comprehensive information concerning the measures that have been put in place across all their services to ensure they can continue in a safe manner and in line with HSE and HSA guidelines.

Because the service was closed for long periods of time over the last year, a large backlog of customers has built up. To deal with the backlog, the RSA is engaging with its service provider to examine ways of increasing the number of tests for when services resume. The aim is to increase capacity at all test centres to cater for additional appointments.

I am happy to confirm the figure of limiting capacity to 4000 tests per month is incorrect. It would appear that this figure represents an approximate figure for the number of online tests which will be available in the near future as the RSA begins to roll out theory tests for car drivers.

Pre-pandemic capacity was approximately 15,000 tests per month. When the service is allowed to reopen, the aim is to provide approximately 50,000 tests per month, while adhering to the required public health guidelines and protocols. This would make substantial inroads into the backlog.

Aviation Industry

Questions (206)

Marian Harkin

Question:

206. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport when Sligo Airport will be reimbursed for mandated safety works carried out in 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24508/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I understand Sligo Airport is in discussions with CHC Ireland in relation to those costs that relate specifically to the continued operation of the SAR base there. As outlined at the meeting referred to, this is firstly a matter for CHC and Sligo Airport under their own commercial arrangements. The IRCG is working with CHC, with whom it has a contract for the wider national service, to find a pragmatic solution for all concerned which will facilitate a continued service from Sligo for the remainder of the contract.

As the Deputy refers, Sligo Airport is not eligible for support under the Regional Airports Programme (RAP). The most recent programme, which was published on 4 February this year, targets capital funding at airports that operate scheduled passenger air services and facilitate connectivity to the regions. As scheduled services have not operated at Sligo Airport since 2011, this airport no longer meets the eligibility criteria in respect of capital grant schemes under the RAP.

Road Projects

Questions (207)

Richard Bruton

Question:

207. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if roads investments are subject to individual tenders; and if a panel of approved contractors can be used to deliver projects as they arise against a standard cost profile. [24509/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Investment in regional and local roads is a matter, under the Roads Acts, for the relevant local road authority. As such, it is subject to the laws, rules and procedures which apply to public procurement generally, and particularly to procurement of construction contracts by government bodies. Those for local road authorities are similar to those applying to TII, on which that agency will be responding to the Deputy.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Rail Network

Questions (208)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

208. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the status of the progress of Kishogue railway station; the proposed opening date and commencement of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24570/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

As 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 in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, development of the train station referred to.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Rail Network

Questions (209)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

209. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the status of plans to electrify the rail line between Hazelhatch and the city centre to provide for increased capacity on this city centre link; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24571/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

As 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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ SouthWest project which includes electrification of the rail line referred to by the Deputy.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Dublin Bus

Questions (210)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

210. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the status of progress of the updated Dublin Bus drivers' pension scheme. [24580/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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 were recently balloted and have accepted Labour Court proposals which emerged on 23rd November 2020.

I have therefore referred the Deputys question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Driver Licences

Questions (211)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

211. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) can extend their international driving permit in order that they can drive with their non-EU/EEA driver licence while they are at home on ill-health grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24581/21]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

An international driving permit (IDP) is a translation of your driving licence and you must carry your driving licence with it when driving. When visiting in Ireland, a permit is only required if your driving licence is not in English. The permit itself does not grant any driving privileges.

There is a distinction between motorists with a foreign driving licence visiting Ireland and those living in Ireland. For non-residents, currently under the Convention on Road Traffic 1949 (Geneva Convention), drivers from Contracting States carrying a valid driver’s licence can drive on each other’s roads for up to a year when visiting.

If you are resident in Ireland, you must have an Irish/EU driving licence to drive here.

Rail Network

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Written answers

Minister for Transport (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

As the Deputy may be aware the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway infrastructure, including the Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line.

This is the second year of the five year IMMAC programme, as approved by Government in 2020, and over the five years of the programme just over €1billion in Exchequer funding will be made available to support delivery. This funding will increase service reliability and punctuality, improve journey times and ensure continued safety of rail services.

Noting Iarnród Éireann's (IÉ) responsibility in the matter, in the first instance, I have referred the Deputy's questions to IÉ for a more detailed reply on the specific matters raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Departmental Schemes

Questions (213)

Niall Collins

Question:

213. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport the status of a scheme (details supplied) in which a person makes an application to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24611/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

I was delighted to recently announce the launch of a three-year pilot initiative along with my colleague the Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Joe O'Brien TD, for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and/or those who are most marginalised and disadvantaged. This is an important step towards fulfilling the commitment in the Programme for Government to widen the scope of the Bike to Work Scheme.

Funding of €3 million is being provided by my Department for this initiative over a three-year period and will be made available through the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Community Services Programme.

Currently applications are being sought from eligible organisations for inclusion on this programme. Organisations eligible to apply are those currently supported under the Community Services Programme or alternatively are in a Partnership/Consortium of which at least one member is currently a CSP supported organisation. It is envisaged that the pilot will support up to 6 social enterprises in 2021.

Full details of the scheme are available on the Department of Rural and Community Development website at www.gov.ie/drcd.

Questions Nos. 214 to 220, inclusive, answered with Question No. 212.