Written Answers Nos. 190-212
190. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are working towards enabling access to employment for persons from minority and or disadvantaged communities, including, but not limited to, persons with disabilities, persons from ethnic minorities, Travellers, Mincéirí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32738/21]
View answerMy Department engages the services of the Public Appointments Service (PAS) who is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services for the Irish Public and Civil Service. As the leading recruiter for the Civil and Public Service, PAS welcomes people with disabilities to apply for career opportunities on their website. PAS promote and support the development and employment of people with disabilities and promote diversity and inclusion throughout the Civil and Public Service. Under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities for 2015 – 2024, the Government has committed to progressively increasing the statutory target for the employment of people with disabilities from 3% to a minimum of 6% in the public sector by 2024. The Department is continually working to ensure that it meets all commitments in this regard.
I have asked the aegis bodies under my Department to provide the information requested for their organisations directly to the Deputy.
191. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the projected roll-out of the National Broadband Plan for counties Cavan and Monaghan for 2021; the measures that will be implemented to offset the delays that have occurred in this roll-out to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32791/21]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention will be delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) under a contract to roll out a high speed and future proofed broadband network within the Intervention Area which covers 1.1 million people living and working in the over 544,000 premises, including almost 100,000 businesses and farms along with 695 schools. There are 42,335 premises in County Cavan of which 26,061 are in the commercial area and 16,274 premises are within the NBP Intervention Area. There are 33,465 premises in County Monaghan of which 18,133 are in the commercial area and 15,332 premises are within the NBP Intervention Area. I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 10 June 2021, over 225,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. In County Cavan, premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, Caughoo, Belturbet, Killashandra, Butler’s Bridge, Ballylennon, Redhills, Gannons Cross, Derryheelan, Castlesaunderson, Townparks, Foalies Bridge, Riverrun and Erne Hill. Main works are ongoing outside Cavan town including Ballinagh, Corlurgan, Araghan, Poles, and Caughoo. In County Monaghan almost 70% of premises in the Intervention Area have been surveyed to date. Premises have been surveyed or surveys are ongoing in the areas of Cornacassa, Cortolvin, Ballybay, Stranooden, Mullinahinch, Bellanode, Drumhilock, Tydavnet, Cloughnart, Scotstown, Killymarley, Drumcru, Stonebridge, Tiernahinch, Clones, Annalore, Kileevan, Drumullan, Newbliss, Cumber, Scotshouse, Clonowla, Clonagore and Clonooney.
Main works have commenced in the Monaghan Deployment Area which covers approximately 4,355 premises. This includes the areas of Ballagh, Stranodden, Drumloo, Aghaboy, Kilcorran, Annagola, Brookvale, Cloghernagh, Feebane, Gortakeeghan, Mullandavagh and Selloo. NBI anticipates that these premises will be passed and available for connection later this year. I am advised by NBI that, as of 10 June, nearly 4,400 homes are passed and available for connection to the NBI high speed broadband in Counties Cork and Cavan. Some 3,580 premises are passed and are available for connection in County Cavan. A further 15,000 premises can also pre-order via Retail Service Providers (RSPs) in Counties Cork, Cavan, Galway and Limerick and get a connection in the coming months.
While substantial progress has been made to date, the Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on the delivery of the fibre network resulting in delays on delivery of aspects of the programme. Impacts include challenges with mobilisation of key contractors with restrictions on operations, supply chain and logistic delays (both nationally and internationally), as well as the recruitment of key personnel as NBI and its contractors scale, up including challenges associated with on-boarding and training people. Inevitably, like many other organisations, NBI and contractor staff are at risk of contracting Covid 19 or may have to restrict their movements as a result of being a close contact posing further challenges. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract to address the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic on the project.
Further details are available on specific areas within Cavan and Monaghan through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises when works are due to commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 10 June, 325 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible locations and the Department of Education for schools. BCPs installed with high speed publicly accessible broadband in County Cavan include Templeport Community Centre, Kildallan Parish Hall, Mullahoran Community Centre, Drumavaddy Community Centre, Glengevlin Community Hall, Gallonray House, Castlerahan Community Centre, Cornafean Community Centre, Bunnoe Community Centre, Castle Saunderson Scout Centre, Killenkere Leisure Centre. BCPs installed in County Monaghan include Tullycorbet Parish Hall, Corcaghan Community Centre, Monaghan GAA Centre Of Excellence, Mullyash Community Centre, Tannagh Outdoor Education Centre, Ballybay Wetlands, Carn Resource Centre, Latton Resource Centre, Saint Alphonsus Community Hall, Corduff Community Centre and St. Patrick’s Accommodation Centre.
Corlea National School, Laragh National School, Kildallan National School, Saint Patrick's School and Greaghrahan National School are installed in County Cavan as part of this initiative. Annalitten National School, Connons National School, Drumcorrin National School, Drumgossatt National School, Saint Mary's School and Saint Brigid’s National School are installed in County Monaghan as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
192. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the sector specific supports for the aviation sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32547/21]
View answerAs the Deputy has previously been advised, in recognition of the very difficult circumstances facing the aviation sector, the Government announced a funding package for Irish aviation last November.
The following outlines the total package of sector-specific supports available to aviation in 2021:
Following the evaluation of projects submitted for capital funding under both the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 and the Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021, I was pleased to announce, on 19th April 2021, the allocation of over €11 million in Exchequer funding to regional airports as follows:
|
Grant Aid |
Airport |
Capital Grant Allocations |
|
Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 |
Donegal Airport |
€0.9m |
|
Ireland West Airport |
€2.2m |
|
|
Kerry Airport |
€1.7m |
|
|
Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021 |
Shannon Airport |
€6.3m |
|
TOTAL FUNDING ANNOUNCED TO DATE |
€11.1m |
The allocation to Shannon Airport, which will support the delivery of a broad range of projects at the airport, is in addition to €6.1 million already approved for a significant Hold Baggage Screening project for the airport in 2020.
Furthermore, an application for funding in respect of a runway overlay project at Cork Airport is currently being assessed. Pending a satisfactory evaluation, I hope to be in a position to formally approve funding, in the region of €10 million, for this project in the coming weeks.
In addition to the above capital funding, airports will also be invited to apply for operational supports, under these Programmes, later in the year.
In relation to funding under the Covid-19 Supplementary Support Scheme, applications are currently being assessed by my Department and it is anticipated that funding will be dispersed in the coming weeks.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the Government has made significant funding available to the Irish aviation industry through a range of business supports. The bulk of the support to airlines is through the TWSS/EWSS wage subsidy schemes which were specifically designed to maintain the link between employers and employees. It is estimated that by end-June 2021, the sector will have received approximately €300 million in such supports. In addition, liquidity support has also been made available to the aviation industry through the ISIF Pandemic Stabilisation Fund. Aer Lingus has already secured a €150m loan under this fund.
193. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport the status of two submissions made on behalf of former employees of the Irish Aviation Authority regarding changes in their superannuation scheme; when his Department will be in a position to make a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19322/21]
View answerSection 41 (7) of the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993 provides that a dispute in respect of superannuation benefit may be submitted to the Minister for Transport for determination by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
I can confirm that two such submissions have been received by my Department on behalf of staff of the Irish Aviation Authority. These appeals are now with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in accordance with the statutory process and officials are engaging on those appeals.
As the appeal process is ongoing, I am not in a position to comment further at this point.
194. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the status of the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29417/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years.
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
The project is due to be completed in 2022.
Further details on ESB charge points nationwide can be found at https://esb.ie/ecars/charge-point-map
While several private operators such as Tesla, Ionity & EasyGO are involved in providing charging infrastructure, my Department does not hold information on the location of charging infrastructure which has been installed without government support. I am aware, however, that ESB has partnered with Tesco Ireland to install 22kW Standard AC Chargers at a number of Tesco locations around the country. More than 50 of these are planned in total.
My Department is also making €2 million available this year through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as hotels and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
In addition to the ESB project, the Public Charge Point Scheme has been in place since September 2019 and will continue to be available during 2021 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of this scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles (EVs), who donot have access to a private parking space but rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes, to charge their EVs.
Combined with an effective public charging network, Ireland's home charging policy will help sustain and service the expected growth of electric vehicles on Irish roads. Charging while at home accounts for around 80% of electric vehicle charging in Ireland and it is best practice, internationally, to promote home charging as the most common and cheapest form of charging. To support home charging, the SEAI, on behalf of my Department, administers an EV Home Charger Grant of up to €600 towards the purchase and installation of an EV home charger unit.
Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. However, there are a number of complex planning issues to address before we can expand the grant in an appropriate manner so as to include the required categories of shared parking. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to address the issues.
The Programme for Government published in June last year, commits to publishing an electric vehicles infrastructure strategy to facilitate the uptake of these EVs. 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 later this year.
195. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the process under which sea air rescue services are intended to be procured in 2023; if there is a review into the operation of the previous contracts; if the Defence Forces will have a role in its future operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25106/21]
View answerThe procurement process for the new Search and Rescue Aviation service has commenced in compliance with the Public Spending Code. The current status of the process can be referenced in the Published eTenders update on eTenders and a dedicated page on Gov.ie (SAR Webpage). This is an on-going deliberative process which will ultimately lead to a Government decision so I am limited in what I can say in relation to this at the moment.
The process itself commenced in November 2019 with the establishment of a Steering Group in my Department under the Chair of the Director of the Irish Coast Guard and a variety of state stakeholders including other Government Departments and agencies with an interest in the SAR aviation service. This was with a view to ensuring a whole of Government approach to the management of this process.
A first key step was to prepare a Strategic Assessment and Preliminary Appraisal. This went to Government in July 2020. This document included a strategic assessment setting out the context for SAR aviation programme, an organisational overview, and a survey of existing policies and strategies relevant to the programme. It identified the spending objectives of the programme including existing arrangements and relevant business needs. It also included an appraisal of various service delivery options, including where the state assumed full responsibility for the service, either through the Air Corps or a dedicated IRCG Aviation Branch.
While it was accepted that the Air Corps could not assume responsibility for this service on the basis of that initial assessment, my Department was requested in November of 2020 by the Department of Defence to consider the viability of the Air Corps providing some element of the IRCG’s aviation service. This consideration is being done as part of the detailed business case currently being prepared by KPMG along with all other viable options for the delivery of this vital service.
The outcome of the business case will go to Government over the Summer and it is expected that a tender will issue shortly thereafter. Regardless of the outcome of this process, the Defence Forces will continue to play a vital partnership role in the delivery of Search and Rescue services for the State working closely with the Irish Coast Guard.
196. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene and engage with a company (details supplied) to ensure that no worker at Cork airport will be laid off for ten weeks at the end of 2021. [30185/21]
View answerThe temporary closure of Aer Lingus's crew base at Cork Airport aligns with the airports planned closure to carry out construction works on its main runway and associated infrastructure. In addition to the announced lay offs for the period, the airilne also reported that they will be seeking a number of redundancies. The airline has indicated that such immediate actions and wider structural changes are to address the impact that COVID-19 has had.
Aer Lingus has stated that it will emerge from the pandemic as a smaller airline, and the temporary closure of their crew base at Cork Airport and the laying off of a number of their staff is a commercial decision for them. Both Minister Ryan and I met with their CEO soon after their announcement, and they did confirm that there is no strategic intent to reduce connectivity at Cork Airport, but that the restoration of air services would depend on market conditions.
The Government has now set out its plan for the resumption of non-essential international air travel, scheduled to begin on 19 July. This plan is built around EU Digital COVID Certificates and other proofs of vaccination, pre-departure PCR testing and mandatory quarantine that will allow international travel to operate safely. An “emergency brake” mechanism will also allow us to respond to the potential emergence of variants of concern.
While it may take some time for our aviation sector to regain the strong economic position it had at the start of the pandemic, Government has committed to ensuring that there will be no “cliff-edge” to the COVID-19 related business supports that are currently available.
198. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the progress being made with the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road project given that it should form a key part of the mid-term review of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; when the project will reach final approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31759/21]
View answerAs 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. TII ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the NDP.
The N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road project received Government approval to proceed with the award of the main construction contract on 9 June, 2021. Construction is expected to commence this year.
If you require any further details, TII would be best placed to advise you.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the action that can be taken to prevent the hijacking of aircraft and passengers en route between two EU states. [29217/21]
View answerThe goal of the global aviation security system is to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference including, inter alia, hijackings. The specialised UN agency, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) formulates and adopts Standards and Recommended Practices to prevent and suppress all acts of unlawful interference against civil aviation throughout the world and these are set out in Annex 17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (also known as the Chicago Convention).
In order to protect persons and goods within the European Union, EU Regulation 300 of 2008 sets out to prevent acts of unlawful interference against civil aviation by establishing common rules for safeguarding civil aviation and provides the basis for a common interpretation of Annex 17 to the Chicago Convention.
My Department sets out the requirements on air carriers, airports, and other regulated entities in the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP), based on EU and ICAO legislation. Measures undertaken to prevent hijacking include passenger and cabin baggage screening, security awareness training and background checks for all relevant staff.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is responsible for oversight of civil aviation security in Ireland. This includes inspections and audits of airports, air carriers, cargo companies, airport suppliers and suppliers of in-flight services. My Department receives regular reports on the results of these oversight activities.
As noted, the aviation security system is global and is intended to ensure the safety of the travelling public irrespective of their point of departure.
201. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the status of the 41 new diesel ICR carriages ordered by Irish Rail in 2020 and the 2020 tender process to order up to 600 electric and hybrid battery carriages and their planned use on the Maynooth rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32541/21]
View answerAs Trasport Minister, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the development and delivery of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, development of the railway network and the purchase of rolling stock. Such stock includes both the 41 ICRs and, as part of the DART+ Programme, the electric/battery-electric carriages referenced by the Deputy.
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.
202. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the potential for funding for the subsidisation of children’s PCR and antigen testing inbound and outbound at airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32550/21]
View answer203. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will make funding available to enable PCR and antigen testing at airports in line with the digital Covid certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32551/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together.
All persons who have been overseas in the 14 days prior to entering Ireland (apart from those arriving from designated states who are subject to mandatory hotel quarantine) are required by law to quarantine at home for 14 days, and are requested to arrange a COVID-19 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test to be taken at least 5 days after arrival in Ireland.
This test is free of charge and is available at testing centres operated at locations around the country by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The test should be booked in advance of arrival in Ireland and must be booked for a date at least 5 days after arrival. Those who travel from Great Britain, who are not fully vaccinated are now requested to remain in quarantine and seek a further test at least 10 days after arrival in Ireland,in addition to the day 5 test. This day 10 test is also free of charge. A test can be booked by visiting the HSE Test Booking website.
They are currently no plans to make funding available for testing at the Airports for outbound passengers. Testing is already provided at the Airports and locations all around the country by a number of private providers.
204. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the capital expenditure and operational expenditure supports for 2022 for Cork and Shannon airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32557/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in recognition of the significant challenges being faced by Cork and Shannon airports, the Government established a Covid19 Regional State Airports Programme earlier this year. This is providing both capital and operational supports to these airports in 2021 with an available budget of €32.1m.
Furthermore, on 24 February 2021, my Department secured European Commission approval for a €26 million funding scheme for Irish Airports. As part of this scheme, a €20m damages measure has been established to support State airports, including Cork and Shannon. My Department is currently assessing applications for funding by airports under this Scheme and aid will be disbursed on a proportionate basis, relative to the level of damage incurred.
The Government understands that Irish aviation faces a long and difficult path to recovery, and that continued support will be necessary. The Government is fully committed to supporting the aviation sector, and we recognise the importance of providing clarity on the extent and duration of supports beyond 2021. In this context, Government will consider what further supports may be needed to help all regional airports, including Cork and Shannon, as part of the upcoming Estimates process.
205. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether the Public Spending Code requires that the Metrolink Preliminary Business Case to Beechwood, which has been submitted to Government by the NTA, cannot be approved until the main alternative option (details supplied) has been appraised. [32594/21]
View answerI think it important to set out what are two different processes currently underway both of which relate to the potential future development of metro in Dublin.
Firstly, we have the project known as MetroLink. This is a project set out in the existing, statutory, Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2036 and one which has been subject to extensive, non-statutory public consultation over the last 3 years. This project has now reached an important milestone as its Preliminary Business Case has been submitted to my Department for review as is required under the Public Spending Code. For projects of this scale, the Public Spending Code stipulates that Government approval is required to allow the project submit its Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála. The Preliminary Business Case has been developed on the basis of the existing project as has been subject to public consultation in recent years. The Preferred Route for MetroLink is available to view on the dedicated project website, www.metrolink.ie.
Secondly, we have the statutory review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. The Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 stipulates that the Strategy must be reviewed every six years and this review provides an opportunity to re-examine and re-consider proposals for inclusion in the revised Strategy. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has stated that, as part of its review, it is considering whether additional metro routes should be included in any revised Strategy. I understand this public consultation phase will commence in the coming months.
Inclusion in any revised Strategy is the first step in what is a very detailed and often lengthy process to enable projects move from the strategic support, enabled by inclusion in a Transport Strategy, to being a project with a Preliminary Business Case seeking approval to enter the statutory planning process.
206. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if further consideration has been given to the introduction of a three-day week taxsaver commuter ticket in view of the clear and evident change in working patterns over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32596/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares.
Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In relation to the possible introducion of a part-time tax saver commuter ticket following the Covid pandemic, my Department recently commenced discussions with the NTA and the Department of Finance, in order to obtain approval for the implementation of a more flexible Taxsaver product. The NTA is proceeding with the detailed technical work required for this purpose, whilst discussions continue.
208. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify a matter (details supplied) regarding driver theory tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32601/21]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. The information requested is held by the Authority.
This question is therefore being referred 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.
209. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the amount his Department and associated agencies have spent on social media advertising since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32623/21]
View answerMy Department has incurred no expenditure relating to social media advertising within the timeframe stipulated by the Deputy.
I have referred your request to the relevant agencies under the aegis of my Department for their direct response.
210. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the amount his Department has spent on social media content production since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32640/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the table below.
|
Timeframe |
Description |
Amount Spent |
|
May 2021 |
Production of still and animated graphics for social media communications around Ireland’s presidency of the International Transport Forum. |
€730.62 (incl VAT) |
|
April – June 2021 |
Purchase of stock imagery for various Departmental communications on Twitter. |
€71.34 (incl VAT) |
In general, social media content is developed in-house by my Department’s press office team. When external services are required, my Department has always endeavoured to ensure value for money and to keep expenditure to the minimum necessary.
211. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the amount his Department and all associated agencies have spent on public relations consultancy costs since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32657/21]
View answerMy Department has not entered into any contracts for public relations advice or consultancy within the timeframe stipulated by the Deputy.
I have referred your request to the relevant agencies under the aegis of my Department for their direct response.
212. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Port of Dublin is not accepting container trains to and from the west of Ireland; if, he plans speaking to the board and management of the port in relation to this matter in view of the fact that container trains are the most environmentally efficient way of carrying these goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32673/21]
View answerThere has been significant additional shipping services direct to the continent from Ireland as a result of Brexit. In February 2020, there were 12 weekly sailings to Northern France from Ireland, there are now approximately 40 sailings to Northern France from a number of Irish ports. There has also been a level of modal shift from traditional RoRo to LoLo freight direct to the continent.
Dublin Port is the largest and busiest port in the State serving the trading needs of Ireland with on average 70% of all vessels visits and over 50% of all tonnage handled by ports in Ireland.
It is understood that due to the significant increases in LoLo shipping services direct from Dublin Port to the continent, there have been some capacity constraints at one of the privately run terminals in Dublin port that caters to both LoLo and rail freight. As a result, this has impacted on rail freight services into the Port.
It is understood that the stakeholders involved, Doyle Shipping Group, its client IWT, Irish Rail and Dublin Port are currently engaging to explore how to resolve these issues. I encourage all parties to constructively engage to ensure the continuation of rail freight into Dublin Port.
