Written Answers Nos. 58-76
58. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of applicants awaiting the installation of SEAI warmer homes scheme upgrades by county; the average waiting time for applicants in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25164/21]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. The scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). To date over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades leaving them better able to afford to heat their homes to an adequate level. The approximate average value of the energy efficiency measures provided to a household under the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme was €14,800 in 2020. As indicated in the table below, there are currently 779 homes in Cork on the Warmer Homes work programme. The scheme operates nationally on a first come first served basis. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in 2020, the average time from application to completion was approximately 18 months in Cork and nationally. The average wait times are expected to increase significantly in 2021 due to the extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity between March and June of last year as well as between January and 12 April of this year when the scheme was fully paused in line with Government guidelines. Works under the scheme has now recommenced in line with activity in the residential construction sector.
The SEAI has advised me that the average wait times should only ever be used as a general guide and that wait times vary, based on the demand for the scheme at the time of application as well as other factors including the scale of works to be completed, access to the property, availability of materials and the weather.
It is important to note that funding for the SEAI energy poverty retrofit schemes has increased to over €109 million in 2021. This is an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation and means that almost half of the total SEAI residential and community retrofit budget will support people vulnerable to energy poverty. This funding will mean that more households can receive free energy efficiency upgrades making their homes warmer, healthier and cheaper to run, in line with the Programme for Government.
In addition to the increased budget, capacity by the industry to deliver more activity has also increased due to a new, broader contractor panel to provide works which commenced at the end of 2020. I also secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to allow it drive the various grant programmes that it operates, including the Warmer Homes Scheme, and to ensure that level of activity envisaged under the Programme for Government is delivered.
This table shows a breakdown by county of the total national Warmer Homes work programme.
|
County |
No. on warmer homes work programme |
|
Carlow |
93 |
|
Cavan |
102 |
|
Clare |
147 |
|
Cork |
779 |
|
Donegal |
390 |
|
Dublin |
2404 |
|
Galway |
391 |
|
Kerry |
238 |
|
Kildare |
256 |
|
Kilkenny |
104 |
|
Laois |
96 |
|
Leitrim |
93 |
|
Limerick |
263 |
|
Longford |
74 |
|
Louth |
157 |
|
Mayo |
391 |
|
Meath |
271 |
|
Monaghan |
79 |
|
Offaly |
138 |
|
Roscommon |
144 |
|
Sligo |
123 |
|
Tipperary |
292 |
|
Waterford |
213 |
|
Westmeath |
184 |
|
Wexford |
287 |
|
Wicklow |
236 |
|
Grand Total |
7945 |
59. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to a tax saver annual ticket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24724/21]
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 regulating fares charged by public transport operators. The issue raised by the Deputy concerning the taxsaver initiative is a matter for the relevant transport operators in conjunction with the NTA.
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.
60. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the number of applicants waiting for driver theory tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24743/21]
View answerThis is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
61. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the plans that are in place to remove the Irish Coast Guard all weather search and rescue helicopter from Waterford; the reason for this proposal; if he will ensure that the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter will be retained in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24765/21]
View answerI am not aware of any plans to remove or relocate the CHC base from Waterford Airport. The contractual relationship in relation to this base is between CHC and Waterford Airport. The Department’s contract for a SAR helicopter service is with CHC which includes bases located in Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford airports. This is a 10 year contract which commenced in 2012 which has already been extended for 1 year and may be extended for a further 2 years. No tender has issued for a successor to this contract but a process has commenced in relation to this. Full details are available on a dedicated webpage on Gov.ie – located https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/ed653-irish-coast-guard-search-and-rescue-sar-aviation-project/
62. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider introducing a special fund for safety barriers on regional roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24772/21]
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 Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
Under the Department's Discretionary Grant, Councils have the discretion to use grant funding for safety improvement works, including the provision of safety barriers. Local authorities can also apply for the provision of safety barriers under my Department's annual Safety Improvement grant programme. In view of these funding options, a specific grant programme for the provision of safety barriers on regional roads is not under consideration.
Guidance on the provision of safety barriers is given in Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.
63. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driver theory test appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24783/21]
View answerThis is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
64. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the RSA's plans first proposed in 2015 to name and shame disqualified drivers; the outcome of the latest research commissioned by the RSA in 2019 due to be completed in March 2021 whereby disqualified drivers were given €150 vouchers to take part in the project; the timeframe for publication of the findings of this research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24797/21]
View answerThe research has been completed and it is currently being reviewed by the RSA. Due to more urgent priorities following the Covid-19 pandemic, the review is behind schedule.
The report findings will be presented to the Board of the RSA following which the report will be published.
65. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the reason that manual notices continue to be sent to the Road Safety Authority with details of drivers disqualified in court when the Minister for Justice responded to a Parliamentary Question in February 2021 stating that the Courts Service has been ready to automate the electronic transfer of disqualifications to the National Driver Licence Service and the Road Safety Authority since the end of 2019 and are awaiting confirmation from his Department that they are able to receive the data in this format; the reason for the delay within his Department and the RSA to receive this data electronically; the timeframe for this work to be completed by his Department and the RSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24798/21]
View answerMy Department and the RSA have been actively engaged on this project with the Courts Service. Completion was postponed in March 2020 due to other urgent priorities requiring immediate and ongoing attention in terms of operations, ICT and legislation, such as the Driving Licence and Vehicle Testing extensions, that were introduced due to the pandemic, as well as support for the Health Service Executive. My Department is planning to resume the project when immediate urgent needs are no longer the priority in terms of our resources. We will engage with the RSA and the Courts Service at that time to re-schedule the development.
66. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 10 February 2021, if he has received the requested report from the Road Safety Authority regarding learner drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24799/21]
View answer67. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 10 February 2021, if he has received the requested report from the Road Safety Authority regarding disqualified drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24800/21]
View answer70. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 10 February 2021, if the report requested form the RSA is now available regarding disqualified learner drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24803/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66, 67 and 70 together.
My department did not request the referenced reports from the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The Deputy's requests in February were sent to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received the requested information directly from the RSA, I ask that she contact my office.
68. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 10 February 2021, if he will report on the 29 action plans from the 2013-2020 Road Safety Strategy that were not completed by the end of the strategy term on 31 December 2020; the reason he reported that there were only seven action plans incomplete by the end of the strategy term in his reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24801/21]
View answerI understand that the RSA has been finalizing its report on the Actions under the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020. The research has been completed and it is currently being reviewed by the RSA. Due to more urgent priorities following the Covid-19 pandemic, the review is somewhat behind schedule.
The report findings will be presented to the Board of the RSA, following which the report will be published.
I would like to thank the Deputy for raising her question about my answer of 10 February last. I should clarify that the 7 uncompleted Actions from the Strategy referred to in my response on that occasion are the uncompleted Actions for which my Department has the lead role.
I now understand from the RSA that the total number of uncompleted Actions for all stakeholders is indeed 29, as the Deputy says. I apologise if there was any confusion over this.
69. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce the necessary legislation to close a loophole discovered in 2013 which allows learner drivers to continually renew their learner permit without ever having to sit a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24802/21]
View answerI would not agree that there is a loophole in the current driver licensing legislation. The current legislation allows a learner driver to renew their learner permit for a third time on condition that they can show evidence that they have either sat, or applied to sit, a driving test. An applicant who provides evidence of having sat a driving test will receive a two year permit renewal. An applicant who provides evidence that a driving test has been arranged will recieve a one year permit.
A person must be in possession of a valid learner permit in order to sit a test. In cases where a permit expires before a scheduled test could take place, a facility to renew the permit is required. This provision was particularly necessary when waiting times for driving tests were particularly long.
I am aware that there are a number of people driving on our roads on their 4th, 5th, 6th or subsequent learner permit. A learner permit is not a licence, but a permit to allow a person to drive while learning.
In October 2019, the Road Safety Authority sent proposals to my Department in relation to this issue. These proposals were examined and a submission was prepared for Ministerial approval. The measures set out in the submission took account of the shorter wait times for tests and the increased tester resources available at the end of 2019 as the opportune time to tackle the issue. Due to the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a review of the draft submission is now required. With the current backlog pending due to the halting of driving tests, it is prudent to delay any changes to regulations for long term permit holders in the short term, or until the driving test service is stabilised.
71. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 162 of 10 February 2021, if he will provide additional details relating to the grounds on which he plans to provide for the power to revoke a driving licence; if he now plans to include a proposal to include the revocation of learner permits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24804/21]
View answerThe intention is to differentiate between the revoking of a licence and the disqualification of a person from holding a driving licence. A person can be disqualified from holding a licence for a period of time as a result of an offence committed while driving. A licence would be revoked where the eligibility criteria for holding a driving licence is no longer met, such as when the holder of the licence does not have, or no longer has, a right to reside in the State.
Officials in my Department are working with the Attorney General and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on drafting the necessary changes to primary legislation which I intend to bring forward as committee stage amendments in the Road Traffic Bill. The revocation of a learner permit is also being considered.
72. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if it is planned to restore the status of Galway as a national port for the purposes of accessing national and EU funds to develop the port in view of the recommendation by an Bord Pleanála to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to grant imperative reasons of overriding public importance planning permission for the construction by a company (details supplied) of a new port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24809/21]
View answer73. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to nominate Galway port for inclusion by the EU as a Ten-T port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24810/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.
In line with National Ports Policy, no exchequer funding is provided to any port company, irrespective of their designation.
The National Ports Policy sets out criteria for the designation of ports as Ports of National Significance (Tier 1 or Tier 2) or Ports of Regional Significance. Galway Harbour Company does not meet the criteria laid out in National Ports Policy to be designated as a Port of National Significance (Tier 1 or 2): Ports of National Significance (Tier 1) are ports that are responsible for 15% to 20% of overall tonnage through Irish ports, and Ports of National Significance (Tier 2) are ports that are responsible for at least 2.5% of overall tonnage through Irish ports. Galway Port’s average market share of national total tonnage handled since corporatisation in 1997 averages around 1.5%. Therefore, it is designated as a Port of Regional Significance.
Galway Harbour is also not included in the EU’s Trans European Network for Transport (TEN-T) as it does not meet the qualification criteria.
However, in December 2020 officials from my Department and Galway Harbour Company met with officials from the European Commission to explore the potential for the inclusion of Galway Harbour Company on the comprehensive network. The European Commission’s position was that whilst a review of the TEN-T Regulation was being conducted, the design and qualification criteria for inclusion on the TEN-T Comprehensive Network should remain as is with some minor adjustments.
As part of the ongoing review of the TEN-T Regulation, officials from my Department met with the European Commission again in March of this year. At this meeting, it was once more highlighted that the current methodologies being used for inclusion on the comprehensive network do not provide for the potential role that ports such as Galway Harbour can play in contributing to the EU Green Deal.
Outside of these meetings, my Department has engaged with the Conference of Peripheral and Maritime Regions to discuss the possibility of additional criteria being added to the TEN-T Regulation to allow for the inclusion of ports, particularly those in the Atlantic Region, on the Comprehensive TEN-T Network.
It is intended that officials from my Department will have a further meeting with the European Commission on the ongoing review of the TEN-T regulation. At this meeting, the inclusion of Galway Harbour on the TEN-T comprehensive network will again be raised. At that stage, a proposal on the matter will be formally made to the Commission.
74. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport when he plans to open up the centres for theory tests for car driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24847/21]
View answer75. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport when the driver theory testing section will open for persons to sit the test given that persons are getting cancellations month after month and being asked to drive from one end of the country to the other to find a vacancy; if he will direct the section that the test be done online to facilitate persons waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24858/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together.
The Driver Theory Test is considered a non-essential service and remains closed for now. The Department understands the frustration at this decision, however, these restrictions imposed by the Government based on the advice of NPHET and their panel of scientific experts, are in place to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on this country and its people.
Officials both in this Department and in the Road Safety Authority are keeping the public health situation under constant review and are working extremely hard to ensure that Theory Tests can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
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 have plans to increase capacity when it is allowed to re-open. This additional capacity will see the number of tests increase from an average pre Covid19 output of 15,000 tests per month to 50,000 per month. This will help significantly to tackle the backlog.
The RSA is working to deliver an online driver theory test service. A pilot online driver theory test is underway for trucks and buses. This will be extended to car drivers in the coming weeks, initially with 3,200 online tests being conducted per month. Online services will be made more widely available towards the end of 2021.
Regarding driving licences, National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centres will continue to remain open for essential workers only until 17 May, when they will re-open for all customers. NDLS customers who have a Public Services Card or MyGovID can apply online at ndls.ie.
76. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if assurances will be issued by CIÉ that it will await the outcome of the High Court application from the trustees of the pension scheme before engaging in further discussions on the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24868/21]
View answer83. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the status of his engagements with Córas Iompair Éireann regarding the 1951 pension scheme. [24985/21]
View answer91. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he will write to the chairperson of CIÉ seeking assurances that CIÉ will wait on the outcome of the High Court application that elected pension trustees are making before engaging in any more discussions in relation to the 1951 pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25057/21]
View answer92. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will approve changes to the CIÉ regular wages pension scheme that were approved in a ballot of members in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25094/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 83, 91 and 92 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 were recently balloted and have accepted Labour Court proposals which emerged on 23rd November 2020.
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.
