Written Answers Nos. 67-81
67. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport the main terms of the contract (details supplied) for the provision of search and rescue services to the Irish Coast Guard; the timeframe for this contract; if he will seek to amend, change or alter any of these terms in the renewal of this contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35075/21]
View answerThe current helicopter service contract between the then Minister for Transport and CHC Ireland DAC commenced on 1st July 2012 for a period of 10 years. It contains an option to extend for a period(s) up to a further 3 years. The contract has been extended initially for one year to July 2023 to facilitate the procurement of a new service in accordance with Public Spending Code requirements and a seamless transition from one service to another.
The Procurement process has begun for the new Search and Rescue Aviation contract. KPMG have been appointed to carry out the detailed business/economic assessment in line with the requirements of the Public Spending Code which will determine the scope, nature and procurement strategy for the new service. All options are and will be reviewed and the outcome of the business case will go to Government early in Q3 2021. Once this step is taken, a tender should issue shortly thereafter.
The current status of the project can be referenced in the Published eTenders update on eTenders and our SAR Webpage.
68. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the proposals in place for upgrading the junctions at which they intersect with roads (details supplied); if funding was provided to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for works in relation to the design or upgrade of these junctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35086/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for 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 on the status of these works.
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.
69. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated to Local Link bus services in 2021; the estimated additional cost of increasing this funding by 5%, 10% and 25%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35152/21]
View answerThe total allocation in 2021 to the Rural Transport Programme (RTP), which now operates under the "Local Link" brand, is €28.206 million. This includes €11.8 million for rural regular services funded from Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding.
This is the confirmed RTP allocation for this year, and any percentage increases over whatever timeframe, using whatever basis, may be calculated from it. However, I would caution that whatever calculations the Deputy might use, such figures would only be speculative. Future funding levels for the programme will be subject to the annual Estimate and Budgetary processes.
70. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35233/21]
View answerThe Irish Coast Guard manages a fleet of response vehicles which equip the 44 Coast Guard units to carry out search and rescue functions within their localities.
In the immediate location of Templenoe are Coast Guard stations based at Iveragh and Castletownbere who provide search, cliff and boat response within their communities.
The Irish Coast Guard does not intend establishing a unit in the Kenmare area and the vehicle in question has been relocated to the Castletownbere station house as a dedicated resource to the unit to respond to training and callout requirements within their area of operations.
71. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the number of US soldiers who passed through Shannon Airport in each of the years 2001 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35254/21]
View answerMy Department has no statutory function regarding the transit of foreign military personnel through Irish sovereign territory or Irish airports.
I have forwarded your question to Shannon Group plc. for direct reply. If you do not receive a reply from the Company within ten working days, please advise my Private Office.
72. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport when the full resumption of driver theory tests is expected following the announcement on the phased reopening of the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35319/21]
View answerIn line with the further easing of restrictions, the gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced on the 8th of June. The RSA reopened its network of test centres and will be permitted to conduct 25,000 driver theory tests per month.
The test centres have extensive COVID-19 measures in place to protect both customers and staff and to ensure the safe delivery of the service. It is hoped that capacity will gradually increase to 50,000 tests monthly, if public health guidance permits.
The further reopening of this service is currently under discussion The RSA, like all organisations and business must take its direction and guidance from the Government, the HSA, and the Department of Transport in relation to capacity restrictions for in-person services and therefore must adopt and implement all recommendations relating to the services which can be provided.
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.
73. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the additional measures he will implement as a matter of urgency to ensure that delays in driver theory tests are reduced without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35367/21]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Theory Test Service.
The Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to meet the growing demand for driving theory tests.
In line with the further easing of restrictions, the gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced on the 8th of June. The RSA reopened its network of test centres and is now permitted to conduct 25,000 driver theory tests per month.
The test centres have extensive COVID-19 measures in place to protect both customers and staff and to ensure the safe delivery of the service. It is hoped that capacity will gradually increase to 50,000 tests monthly, if public health guidance permits. The Driver Theory Test service provider has sourced an additional 40 temporary team members to support the expected increase in capacity to 50,000 in centre appointments when permitted to do so.
The RSA has been working to deliver an online theory test service, with a pilot online test already undertaken for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include car and motorbike tests and it is hoped that up to 10,000 tests will be conducted online in the coming months.
The theory test service provider has sourced 30 additional employees to manage the online testing facility. The tests are conducted under strict requirements in order to adequately verify the identity of candidates, and to ensure exams are completed in a secure manner, maintaining the integrity of the exam content and to prevent cheating or fraud. To replicate the highly secure nature of in-person testing, the on-line testing service requires live proctors to perform the required security and ID checks and monitor the theory tests in a live online environment.
74. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that applicants for driver theory tests who had applied in 2020 do not have their appointments delayed due to more recent applicants getting priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35368/21]
View answerThe driver theory test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. Currently, theory tests have resumed up to a maximum of 25,000 monthly.
The protocol for scheduling appointments is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, and one in which I have no role.
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.
75. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the funding that has been allocated to the RSA to expand the driver theory test and driving testers. [35370/21]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation and the funding of both the Theory Test and Driving Test Services. These services have for many years been funded by the Authority from its own resources, including reserves as well as ongoing revenue, and no additional Exchequer funding has been required to date to fund them. The financial position of the Authority is monitored and reviewed by my Department on an ongoing basis and the question of additional Exchequer funding will be considered, in light of their financial position and that of the Exchequer, if and when the issue arises.
The Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to meet the growing demand for driving tests. An additional 40 temporary driver testers have been authorised along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. The additional testers are expected to start testing by the end of June. In addition, sanction has recently been received to add a further 40 testers to that cohort. The Department will continue to monitor and review the situation.
In line with the further easing of restrictions, the gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced on the 8th of June. The RSA reopened its network of test centres and will be permitted to conduct 25,000 driver theory tests per month.
The test centres have extensive COVID-19 measures in place to protect both customers and staff and to ensure the safe delivery of the service. It is hoped that capacity will gradually increase to 50,000 tests monthly, if public health guidance permits. The Driver Theory Test service provider has sourced an additional 40 temporary team members to support the expected increase in capacity to 50,000 in centre appointments when permitted to do so.
The RSA has also been working to deliver an online theory test service, with a pilot online test already undertaken for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include car and motorbike tests. The theory test service provider has sourced 30 additional employees to manage the online testing facility. The tests are conducted under strict requirements in order to adequately verify the identity of candidates, and to ensure exams are completed in a secure manner, maintaining the integrity of the exam content and to prevent cheating or fraud. It is hoped that the service provider will be able to deliver up to 10,000 theory tests online in the coming months.
76. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of applicants by age and county for the driver theory test. [35371/21]
View answerThe driver theory test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
The information requested is held by the RSA.
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.
77. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in the RSA Mallow driving test centre in each category (details supplied); and the number of weeks candidates are on waiting lists for a test date broken down into four weeks tranches in tabular form. [35372/21]
View answerThe driving test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
The information requested is held by the RSA.
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.
78. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in the RSA Cork Wilton driving test centre in each category (details supplied); and the number of weeks candidates are on waiting list for a test date broken down into four weeks tranches in tabular form. [35373/21]
View answerThe driving test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
The information requested is held by the RSA.
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.
79. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in the RSA Cork Ballincollig driving test centre in each category (details supplied); and the number of weeks candidates are on waiting list for a test date broken down into four weeks tranches in tabular form. [35374/21]
View answerThe driving test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
The information requested is held by the RSA.
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.
80. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport his plans to alter restrictions on public transport to allow buses to run at 75% capacity rather than 50% capacity on service routes considering that many service routes are now over capacity and persons are being left behind at bus stops due to lack of space on buses that are in compliance with 50% capacity rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28255/21]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.
On 10 May 2021, the capacity restrictions on public transport were increased from 25% to 50% of onboard capacity (sitting and standing) across all services under updated measures announced by Government. Public transport has also now largely returned to normal scheduling.
Government recently agreed that the ending of the 50% capacity restriction on public transport will be considered for August, subject to the epidemiological situation at the time.
My Department and the NTA continue to be guided by public health advice and are closely monitoring public transport demand.
81. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Finance the cost to date of the help-to-buy scheme; the breakdown of the cost of the scheme in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35106/21]
View answerThe Help to Buy (HTB) incentive is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with a deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive gives a refund on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. Section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 outlines the definitions and conditions that apply to the HTB scheme.
According to Revenue data, as of end May 2021, since the inception of the scheme the estimated total value of approved HTB claims to date is in the order of €437 million.
The table below summarises the value of approved HTB claims for each year since the inception of the scheme until June 2021.
|
Year |
2017* |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 (Year to end May) |
Total |
|
Value (€m) |
69 |
73 |
102 |
126 |
67 |
437 |
*The 2017 figure includes approved retrospective claims made in 2017 in respect of the period 19 July 2016 to end 2016, as provided for in the relevant legislation.
