Written Answers Nos. 191-207
191. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties and costs young drivers face in order to get on the road (details supplied); if he will implement an amendment to the Clancy amendment to include provisions for approved driver instructors to sign off competent drivers; and if he will take actions to reduce the insurance premiums for young drivers. [39624/21]
View answerThere is no doubt that driving is an expensive activity for all drivers. Even leaving aside the costs referred to by the Deputy to get a young driver up and going, the ongoing costs of running a vehicle are high.
Insurance companies are private companies that enter into private contracts with their customers. EU rules specifically prohibit Member States from interfering in the terms and conditions, or pricing of those policies. Insurance companies price their policies based on risk, using more than 50 different criteria to assess the level of risk posed by a driver. Statistically young drivers are far more likely to be involved in collisions, and the amount they pay for their insurance reflects this. In addition, cars have become increasingly safer over the years, with additions such as airbags, metal grids, ABS and other safety features, so insurance companies load older cars with higher premia as they are more likely to be severely damaged in a collision, with potentially more serious consequences for the occupants than a newer vehicle.
It must be understood that a learner permit is not a licence, but permission to drive on our roads while learning. The purpose of the driving test is to set out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licensed driver. Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test, they are not safe to take to our roads without appropriate supervision.
It is important to note that the current pass rate for driving tests nationally stands at 52%, so having fulfilled all of the driving lesson requirements does not mean that an individual meets the standard required to pass the test.
Studies have repeatedly shown that unaccompanied learner drivers are markedly more likely to be involved in fatal collisions. For that reason, there can be no exceptions to the current laws in force around learner drivers. They cannot drive unaccompanied. We must not relax the standards required of our drivers before being awarded a driving licence. Not only is there the risk to both driver and other road users of unqualified drivers causing deaths or injuries, there is also the pressure such incidents would put on the emergency and health services at a time of national emergency.
An unaccompanied learner driver who is stopped by an Garda Siochana may face penalty points, a fixed charge, seizure of the vehicle and possible prosecution.
192. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the overall estimated cost of the Dunkettle interchange project. [39645/21]
View answer193. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for delivery of all phases of the Dunkettle interchange project in tabular form. [39646/21]
View answer194. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the sustainable transport initiatives included in the Dunkettle interchange project; and if safety studies have been carried out on these. [39647/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 192, 193 and 194 together.
As 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 construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the requirements of the Public Spending Code Guidelines and necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status and estimated cost of this project.
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.
195. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport when persons will receive a refund under the consumer protection scheme of the Commission for Aviation Regulation following the collapse of a company (details supplied) in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39738/21]
View answer196. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications that were made for a refund following the collapse of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39739/21]
View answer197. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the delay in issuing refunds (details supplied); the reason the period of time applicants must wait for a refund has been extended again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39740/21]
View answer198. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport if he or his Department will liaise with tour operators following the collapse of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39742/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195, 196, 197 and 198 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) is the body with statutory responsibility for operating the insolvency protection scheme relating to licensed travel agents and tour operators in Ireland.
Accordingly, the issues raised by the Deputy are operational matters for the Commission and I have forwarded your request to the CAR for a direct response. If a response is not received within 10 days, please contact my private office.
199. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the statutory instruments to be signed for a pension scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39763/21]
View answerAs 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”).
Concerning the 1951 scheme, members of the scheme were balloted regarding the Labour Court Recommendation which emerged on 23 November 2020, with a majority of the members voting to accept the proposals. CIÉ has recently prepared and submitted a consolidated draft Statutory Instrument to give effect to the proposed changes to the scheme - this is now being considered by my Department in conjunction with NewERA. There are a number of steps involved before an SI can be made, including the statutory consultation process.
200. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport the estimated annual cost of subsiding free public transport travel for all in full-time and part-time education in Ireland, including all those in primary, secondary and tertiary education. [39766/21]
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 the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services, and for securing the provision of those services by way of public transport services contracts in respect of services that are socially necessary but commercially unviable. The funding of those services comprises both the fares paid by passengers and the public service obligation (PSO) payments from the Exchequer. The main purpose of the PSO payment is to meet the gap between income from fares and the cost of operating services.
The provision of public transport services is heavily dependent on passenger fare revenue as it normally contributes about 65% of the operational cost. The remaining 35% of cost is covered by the PSO grant and the Department of Social Protection grant under the Free Travel Scheme. In Budget 2020, and prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, a total of €304 million was provided for PSO and Local Link rural regular services. Due to the impact of Covid-19, which resulted in the collapse of fare revenue from public transport, a further €370 million was allocated to enable the continued operation of public transport services in 2020. My primary focus was, and continues to be, ensuring that public transport services continue to operate during this pandemic and I secured almost €659m for PSO services in 2021, of which €30m is to support the licensed bus sector.
Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance. 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.
201. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA has discussed with Dublin Bus the need for wide ranging changes to drivers current work rosters and schedules prior to the BusConnects plan being implemented; if the NTA has expressed the view that Dublin Bus cannot successfully operate BusConnects proposals under current working arrangements for drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39809/21]
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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects.
Furthermore, the terms and conditions of employees are a matter for the relevant companies (in this case Dublin Bus) and do not fall within my remit as Minister for Transport.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the NTA and Dublin Bus for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
202. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport the successful preferred bidder for the strategic rail review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39813/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware my Department launched the procurement process for the Strategic Rail Review in April and following an evaluation process ARUP have been identified as the preferred bidder. Work is expected to commence following the summer and the Review itself is scheduled to be completed within 12 months.
203. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made regarding the provision of air transport between Dublin and Kerry; the issues to be considered in respect of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39826/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, Stobart Air previously held the contract for operating Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services on two routes between Dublin and the airports of Kerry and Donegal. Following Stobart Air’s announcement on 12 June that it was entering liquidation, all services on the PSO routes were cancelled with immediate effect.
As regional connectivity is of critical importance to this Government, my Department launched an emergency procurement process to restore these vital services on 21 June. During this process, Ryanair made an offer to operate the same level of service on the Kerry route but with no subsidy from the State.
In accordance with EU Regulation 1008/2008, which governs air service PSOs, an EU air carrier is allowed to commence scheduled air services on PSO routes provided all public service requirements are met.
In this regard, Ryanair has given assurances to my Department that it will meet the public service requirements on the Kerry/Dublin route, ensuring fixed standards of continuity, regularity and pricing. As well as a commitment to operating a sustainable service, it will also provide higher levels of seating capacity – more than double the amount previously provided by Stobart Air on the route.
Ryanair recently announced that it will operate a single daily return service on the Kerry route from 28 July, increasing to a twice daily return service from 1 September.
204. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if there are contingency plans being put in place to deal with the backlog of driver theory test and full driving test applications. [39839/21]
View answerMy Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to meet the growing demand for driver theory tests and driver tests.
Driving tests for essential workers continue to be the priority for the service. Driving test for those not classed as essential began in a limited fashion from May. In line with the reopening of services on a phased basis, capacity to provide driving tests for all those eligible to take a test will be increased, beginning with those who have been waiting longest.
An additional 37 new testers began live testing in June / July on a temporary basis and an extra 10 temporary test centres have been opened. These are needed because space in some existing centres cannot accommodate many of the additional driver testers and comply with social distancing requirements.
Sanction has recently been received for further 40 temporary testers who will commence testing in due course.
The possibility of increasing the number of tests being conducted each day, per driver tester, from six to seven is also being examined.
The Driver Theory Test (DTT) is currently providing 25,000 test appointments per month across its network of physical centres.
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 per month over time, if public health guidance permits. The service provider has sourced an additional 40 temporary team members to support the expected increase in capacity to 50,000 in centre appointments.
Currently the Driver Theory Test service is providing up to 10,000 tests per month online. These are across all categories with the vast majority being car and motor bike tests. Online services will be made more widely available towards the end of 2021.
It should be noted that 1 in 6 customers are failing to show up for their Driver Theory Test. This puts an unnecessary strain on the service and further complicates matters for the many people who are awaiting a test, who will ultimately be delayed as a result.
Every possible measure is being put in place to ensure that the maximum number of customers can be served while public health guidance is strictly adhered to. The public’s continued patience and understanding is requested as plans are put in place to safely and gradually increase capacity.
205. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 360 of 3 November 2020, the status of the final report by the air accident investigation unit into the crash of Rescue 116; when the report will be published; the reason for the delay in the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39856/21]
View answerThe draft Final Report of the investigation into the accident involving Rescue 116 at Black Rock, Co Mayo on 14 March 2017 is the subject of a re-examination by a Review Board. The Review Board has been established in line with Regulation 16 of Air Navigation (Notification and Investigation of Accidents, Serious Incidents and Incidents) Regulations 2009 and I have appointed Senior Counsel Patrick McCann as the Chairperson and sole member of the Review Board.
The 2009 regulations provide that on completion of the re-examination the Chairperson of the Review Board shall make a report to me. That report should contain a summary of the proceedings of the re-examination hearing and either confirm, dismiss or vary, in whole or part, those findings and conclusions of the draft Final Report which were the subject of the re-examination. I have not yet received a report from the Chairman of the Review Board.
Hearings in relation to aspects of the work of the Review Board are still being held. The work of the Review Board is independent, and I share your desire for a timely conclusion to this process, which I understand is likely to be in the Autumn of this year.
206. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport when the report of the findings of the consultation process on the road safety strategy 2021-2030 will be published. [39858/21]
View answerUnder the terms of the Road Safety Authority Act, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for drawing up the nation's multiannual Road Safety Strategies (RSS), which must then be submitted to me as Minister for approval. The RSA is currently working to finalise a submission to me of a new draft RSS to run from 2021 to 2030.
Consultation is an essential part of the development of the RSS, and I understand that the RSA has engaged in a widespread consultation process as part of its work to develop a new RSS for the coming decade.
Findings of the consultation will feed into the final RSS and this will, when approved, be published. It is entirely a matter for the RSA to decide on publishing the results of the consultation itself. I understand from the Authority that it does intend to publish a summary of the consultation process after the RSS has been approved by me.
207. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for their theory test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39859/21]
View answerThe driver 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.
