Mattie McGrath
Question:100. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the numbers of NCT failures per test centre; the main reasons for failure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27588/21]
View answerVehicle Testing
Questions (100)
Written answers
The operation of the National Car Test (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 101 answered with Question No. 95.
Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 95.
Question No. 103 answered with Question No. 95.
Question No. 104 answered with Question No. 95.
Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 95.
Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 95.
State Bodies
Questions (107, 146)
Gino Kenny
Question:107. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the reason that CIÉ’s property portfolio is only valued at €750 million or peppercorn value as per its 2019 financial statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27654/21]
View answer
Chris Andrews
Question:146. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport if he will request from CIÉ the reason its property portfolio is only valued at €750 million or peppercorn value as per its 2019 financial statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28031/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 146 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
The issue raised is a matter for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 108 answered with Question No. 95.
Road Traffic Offences
Questions (109)
Brendan Griffin
Question:109. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 200 of 13 January 2021, if he will provide an update on the introduction of the speed limit appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27677/21]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy aware, the most recent speed limit guidelines were issued in March 2015 following a review by a speed limit review working group. Local Authorities (in conjunction with TII in respect of National Roads) are able to amend and set Speed Limits as appropriate and in accordance with the Speed Limit Guidelines for different sections of the road network as required and adopt bye-laws under a reserved function.
This is an ongoing process for local authorities and it can require a review by local authorities when speed limit guidance is updated or when local authorities believe that safety can be improved by better matching certain speed limit zones to existing guidance/best practice. In this context the 2020 Programme for Government has committed to review and reduce speed limits, where appropriate, to address both road safety issues and carbon emissions, and ensure greater compliance.
Ireland’s road network is extensive and inconsistent, which means that a ‘one size fits all’ solution for Speed Limits for the 100,000 kilometre road network is not always possible and queries will arise. I am currently considering proposals from my officials for a speed limit appeals process, whereby a member of the public can query or appeal a speed limit to the local authority.
Driver Test
Questions (110)
Mattie McGrath
Question:110. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the number of theory tests that have been carried out since March 2020; the level of payments made to a company (details supplied) for the operation of the theory test service since March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27699/21]
View answerWritten answers
The driver theory testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
The information requested is held by the Authority and this question is being referred to it for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Driver Test
Questions (111)
Mattie McGrath
Question:111. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the number of candidates that took a driving test in both test centres in Clonmel, County Tipperary from January to April 2021; the pass rate in both centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27700/21]
View answerWritten answers
The driver testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
The information requested is held by the Authority and this question is being referred to it for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Driver Test
Questions (112)
Mattie McGrath
Question:112. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason that theory tests cannot currently operate; the reason that theory tests are still being cancelled; if a company (details supplied) has carried out a risk assessment on all of the test centres which have sufficient social distancing and screening to allow tests to proceed; the efforts being made to immediately reduce the waiting lists for theory tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27701/21]
View answerWritten answers
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.
From the start, it has been clear that the first priority is public safety. We want to provide services, and we know people are looking for services, but we will provide them only to the limit possible while preserving public health.
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 approximately 15,000 tests per month up 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 shortly, initially with up to 3,200 online tests being conducted per month. Online services will be made more widely available towards the end of 2021.
Driver Test
Questions (113)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:113. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if theory test centres are currently open; if the processing of the backlog of theory test application forms on hand has commenced; if so, the estimated time it will take to clear these backlogs; if not, when it is planned to open them and resume full service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27748/21]
View answerWritten answers
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 approximately 15,000 tests per month up 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 shortly, initially with 3,200 online tests being conducted per month. Online services will be made more widely available towards the end of 2021.