Holly Cairns
Question:219. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider establishing the National Cyber Security Centre on a statutory basis. [38041/21]
View answerCybersecurity Policy
Questions (219)
Written answers
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) was established by Government Decision in July 2011 with a broad remit across the cyber security of Government ICT and critical national infrastructure. The Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) is the the key cyber security response entity within the NCSC. The CSIRT acts as a central contact point in the event of a government or nation-wide cyber security incident affecting the State, including the provision of advisory notices to its core group of government departments, state agencies, and organisations responsible for critical national infrastructure. The role and functions of the CSIRT are set out in the European Union (Measures for a High Common Level of Security of Network and Information Systems) Regulations 2018, S.I. No. 360 of 2018.
The question of establishing the NCSC on a statutory basis is being considered in the context of the Capacity Review of the NCSC that has recently been completed. The Capacity Review was an action committed to in the Programme for Government and under the National Cyber Security Strategy to inform the future development of the NCSC and indicate the extent of any additional resources or other measures required to deliver its mandate, the objectives of the 2019 Strategy and other emerging obligations arising at EU level.
Cybersecurity Policy
Questions (220)
Holly Cairns
Question:220. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount and breakdown of funding provided to the National Cyber Security Centre annually since 2015. [38042/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has trebled the capital and programme funding for the NCSC from €1.7 million in 2020 to €5.1 million in 2021. The funding and resourcing of the NCSC has increased substantially over the past five years. The budget allocation for was €250,000 in 2015, €750,000 in 2016, €1,950,000 in 2017, €2,000,000 in 2018, €1,700,000 in 2019, €1,700,000 in 2020 and €5,100,000 in 2021. This funding is in addition to the annual allocation for salaries which has also been increased.
Road Traffic Offences
Questions (221)
Neale Richmond
Question:221. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the risk to persons who use marijuana for medicinal reasons testing positive for the drug at roadside Garda drug checkpoints even though they may not have consumed the drug for several days; if a dispensation will be considered for those who consume the drug for medicinal reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37694/21]
View answerWritten answers
The chemical testing of intoxicants in driving is the statutory responsibility of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) and I have therefore forwarded the first part of the Deputy's query to the Bureau for direct response. I would ask that he contact my office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
In response to the Deputy's second question, I am happy to clarify that a statutory medical exemption certificate is provided for in law for drivers who have been prescribed medicinal cannabinoids. This form must be completed and signed by a medical practitioner on the Irish Medical Register and should be carried by the holder at all times when driving.
I must stress, however, that this certificate only exempts the driver from normal drug driving offences where a Garda carrying out a roadside test does not form the opinion that the driver is impaired. Where such an opinion is formed, however, the impaired driver may be arrested and potentially charged, irrespective of whether or not he or she can produce evidence of medical exemption.
Electric Vehicles
Questions (222)
Jennifer Whitmore
Question:222. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of doubling the electric vehicle charging network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37891/21]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
The Programme for Government published in June last year, commits to publishing an electric vehicles infrastructure strategy to facilitate faster uptake of 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. As part of this Strategy, work will be done to identify the level of investment required to provide sufficient charging infrastructure. It is envisaged that the strategy will be published later this year.
Departmental Projects
Questions (223)
Thomas Gould
Question:223. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if supports can be given to a group (details supplied) to secure and fund a permanent building for the group. [37203/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Department does not have a capital programme for the type of project described. However, it does provides an annual maintenance grant to support the search and rescue activities of certain Mountain and Cave Rescue Teams, which is provided from the IRCG budget.
Driver Licences
Questions (224)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:224. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to reduce the barriers to entry into the profession of commercial driving; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are many fully qualified licensed drivers with a C, D or CE licence that could drive right now but they are excluded from doing so for hire and reward due to the fact that their driver CPC card is out of date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37267/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under EU law, all professional bus and truck drivers require a valid driver certificate of professional competence (CPC) card when driving for a living. A number of extensions have been provided for drivers with expired CPC cards during the Covid-19 pandemic. Drivers with CPC cards that expired between 1 February and 31 August 2020 were originally granted an extension of 7 months. This was extended for an additional 6 months or until 1 July 2021, whichever was the later. Drivers with a CPC card that expired between 1 September 2020 and 30 June 2021 were granted an extension of 10 months.
In situations where a driver does not have a valid CPC card and must obtain one in order to re-establish entitlement to driver CPC, it is possible to complete CPC training as it is classified as an essential service during restrictions.
I am advised that the Road Safety Authority is not aware of any issues with the supply of driver CPC training. The majority of CPC training organisations are back up and running and there courses are taking place throughout the country.
Driver Test
Questions (225)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:225. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to prioritise driver CPC testing for essential workers given the acute shortage of haulage drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37268/21]
View answerWritten answers
Under EU law, professional bus and truck drivers require a valid driver certificate of professional competence (CPC) card when driving for a living. A number of extensions have been provided for drivers with expired CPC cards during the Covid-19 pandemic. Drivers with CPC cards that expired between 1 February and 31 August 2020 were originally granted an extension of 7 months. This was extended for an additional 6 months or until 1 July 2021, whichever was the later. Drivers with a CPC card that expired between 1 September 2020 and 30 June 2021 were granted an extension of 10 months.
In addition, driver CPC training has been classified as an essential service during Covid restrictions and I am advised that the Road Safety Authority is not aware of any issues with the supply of training. The majority of CPC training organisations are running and there courses are taking place throughout the country.
Driver Licences
Questions (226)
Robert Troy
Question:226. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport his views on the way in which articulated lorry drivers with sight in only one eye are only learning that their licence can no longer be renewed given the passing of legislation in recent years (details supplied). [37285/21]
View answerWritten answers
The most recent changes to the eyesight standards required to obtain a driving licence were made in 2010, by the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 (SI 544 of 2010). These Regulations, to amend the medical criteria for fitness to drive, gave effect to Commission Directive 2009/113/EC.
Notification of the Regulations was published in national newspapers and in Issue 93 of Iris Oifigiuil, the official means used by the Government for announcing statutory instruments, in November 2010.
Medical standards for professional truck drivers are more stringent than those applied to car drivers. Drivers with monocular vision cannot obtain or renew a category C (truck) driving licence. This matter was previously referred to the European Court of Justice, which determined that the minimum eyesight standards of the EU Directive (point 6.4 of Annex III to Directive 2006/126/EC, as amended) was compatible with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, concerning equality before the law, non-discrimination on grounds of disability and the integration of people with disabilities.
It is the responsibility of individuals in any occupation, particularly those in which lives are at stake such as professional drivers, to ensure that they are fully aware of the safety and regulatory requirements of their profession.
However, it is also clear that public bodies should ensure that individuals are made aware of changes that might fundamentally affect their ability to earn a livelihood. The current situation is equally clearly unsatisfactory and I appreciate the Deputy bringing it to my attention. I have therefore asked my officials to direct the RSA, which carries out the driving licensing function on my behalf, to notify holders of HGV and bus/coach licences of any changes that may affect them well in advance from now on.
Departmental Reviews
Questions (227)
Holly Cairns
Question:227. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the details of the social impact assessments carried out by his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit since 1 January 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37303/21]
View answerWritten answers
My Department requires all major investments in transport infrastructure and services to be appraised across a range of criteria under the sector specific guidelines set out in the Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes
(CAF - https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/800ea3-common-appraisal-framework/).
It is a requirement that the project appraisal set out and account for the expected social impacts of the proposed transport investment in respect of vulnerable groups.
In evaluating and prioritising investment, it is a requirement to consider the impact of the scheme under six main criteria. In relation to the social impacts of transport investments, one of these is ‘Accessibility and Social Inclusion’. This refers to a transport scheme’s ability to impact upon a community’s access to services and social amenities. These criteria form the high-level criteria for appraising the expected benefits and impact of the scheme. Sponsoring agencies preparing business cases for transport schemes are required to consider and assess if any accessibility and social impacts for the general public and in particular, vulnerable groups—either positive or negative—are likely to arise as a result of the investment. Such vulnerable groups include, for example, those experiencing social deprivation, geographic isolation, physical or intellectual impairment. It is required that, to the extent that is possible, the scale of the anticipated impacts is set out within the appraisal, along with the specific groups likely to be impacted and how many people in those groups are likely to be impacted.
In respect of the requirements outlined above, I also note that the Strategic Research and Analysis Division in my Department is currently undertaking a work programme to review, update and improve the Departments existing sectoral guidance (the Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes 2016). This review and update will reflect the new requirements for evaluating, planning and measuring public investment as set out in the recently revised Public Spending Code published at the end of 2019. It also includes an examination of current approaches to measuring the impacts of projects or service changes to identify improvements that can be made. I expect that an updated Common Appraisal Framework will be published in the second half of 2021.
In relation to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), projects are delivered in compliance with the international, national, regional and local policy. Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan, for example, include 10 strategic objectives including:
- 3. To Strengthen Rural Economies and Communities,
- 5. A Strong Economy supported by Enterprise, Innovation and Skills,
- 10. Access to quality Childcare education and Health Services.
The public spending code sets out the rules and procedure to ensure that the best value for money is achieved in the delivery of projects using public funding. The code requires the setting of objectives for the project and how project should be assessed. Project options are assessed against how they comply with the project objectives as well as under the following criteria Economy, Safety, Environment, Accessibility and Social Inclusion as well as Integration and Physical Activity.
Assessment of the proposed project is also carried out as part of the planning approval process which is set out in law and under the associated regulations. In relation to roads, the range of deliverables, as set out in TII’s Project Management Guideline and all projects funded by TII, are assessed in line with these Guidelines.
I have also referred your question to the other agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply with 10 working days.
Workplace Relations Commission
Questions (228)
Mick Barry
Question:228. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 154 of 15 June 2021, the outcome of these referrals to his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37339/21]
View answerWritten answers
The eight alleged contraventions of the working time regulations referred to my Department by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) related to two fishing vessels. The Marine Survey Office (MSO) of my Department carried out follow up investigations in respect of both vessels. The operators of both fishing vessels subsequently demonstrated compliance with the statutory requirements to the satisfaction of the MSO.
The alleged contravention of the safety training regulations referred to my Department by the WRC concerned a third fishing vessel and the MSO subsequently carried out an inspection onboard this vessel. The result of this inspection was satisfactory.
Cycling Facilities
Questions (229, 230)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:229. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Finglas to Killester cycle route with a breakdown of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37363/21]
View answerPaul McAuliffe
Question:230. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Glasnevin to Clontarf road cycle scheme cycle route with a breakdown of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37364/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 229 and 230 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport generally. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and active travel infrastructure, allocating the funding provided by my Department at project level and working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. This includes the projects mentioned by the Deputy, namely the Finglas to Killester cycle route and the Glasnevin to Clontarf cycle route.
Noting the NTA's responsibilities in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Driver Test
Questions (231)
Paul Donnelly
Question:231. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting on a driver test in the Dublin 15 area in tabular form. [37400/21]
View answerWritten answers
The driving test 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.
Driver Test
Questions (232)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:232. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the status of an extension to initial basic training certificates for motorcyclists due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37437/21]
View answerWritten answers
The validity period of Initial Basic Training (IBT) certificates is set out in legislation. Making a change to the validity of an existing certificate requires a change in law.
Regulations are currently being prepared for a further extension to IBT certificates and an update is expected shortly.
Tax Data
Questions (233)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:233. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the last full year and the percentage of all motor tax payments that were paid in instalments versus those which were paid upfront in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37522/21]
View answerWritten answers
Motor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis.
4,960,487 motor tax discs were issued in 2020. Of these 1,985,929 (40%) were annual, 730,453 (15%) were half-yearly and 2,244,105 (45%) were quarterly.
Tax Data
Questions (234)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:234. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the amount that is raised from the higher rates of motor tax for those that choose to pay in instalments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37523/21]
View answerWritten answers
Motor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The rates applicable to the half-yearly and quarterly options are 55.5% and 28.25% of the annual charge, respectively.
Based on the volume of transactions in 2020, the estimated annual cost to the Exchequer of setting the half-yearly and quarterly rates at pro-rata rates of 50% and 25% of the annual rate respectively is €41.3m. This does not take account of the likely cost of additional administration arising from the likelihood that more users may opt to tax their vehicles for short periods and therefore require more frequent renewals.
Public Transport
Questions (235)
Paul Murphy
Question:235. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the measures that are being taken to ensure that there is no high-risk level of contracting Covid-19 for passengers using the Luas; the way it will be ensured that there is no overcrowding given that the number of trams has been reduced; the sanitation requirements that must be met; and the way these standards are regulated. [37536/21]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services.
The issue raised is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the Luas operator Transdev, and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Driver Test
Questions (236)
Michael Collins
Question:236. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Transport if the theory test for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37607/21]
View answerWritten answers
The driving theory test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
Individual cases are a matter for the Authority and the question in relation to this case 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.
Departmental Staff
Questions (237)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:237. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full year cost of recruiting three additional full-time senior railway accident investigators for his Department in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37610/21]
View answerWritten answers
Railway accident investigators provide a key service in supporting passenger safety. The projected costs requested are set out below based on the following assumptions:
1. Start date of 1st August 2021
2. Starting at the first point of the PPC pay scale
3. The allowance payable to the post is an on-call allowance on same basis as current serving staff members in the grade
4. The basic salary and on-call allowance will benefit from a 1% rise on 1st October 2021 in accordance with the provisions of Building Momentum – a new public service agreement, 2021-2022
5. The equivalent of a 1% increase in annualised basic salaries to be used as a Sectoral Bargaining Fund, in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Agreement, on 1 February 2022 has yet to be determined and has not been factored into these calculations.
The estimated full year cost to the Department of recruiting three full time Senior Railway Accident Investigators is €256,941.
Driver Test
Questions (238)
Michael Collins
Question:238. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Transport if the theory test for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37625/21]
View answerWritten answers
The driving theory test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
Individual cases are a matter for the Authority and the question in relation to this case 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.