Written Answers Nos. 208-224
208. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his plans to reform the calculation method for quarterly, half-yearly and annual charging for motor car tax; his views on whether the system unfairly and excessively overcharges those motorists in the lower income brackets that avail of the quarterly or half-yearly charge; and his plans to reform the motor car tax system. [39884/21]
View answer209. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost to the Exchequer of ending the additional charge on quarterly and half-yearly motor tax payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39936/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 208 and 209 together.
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. These relativities have remained generally consistent since the 1960's.
The loss to the Exchequer arising from the elimination of the additional charge for these options has been estimated at just under €41.3m, based on the volume of transactions in 2020. The loss of income that would arise from changing these arrangements would have a negative impact on the total collected via motor tax and would have to be borne elsewhere in the motor tax system or through the taxation system generally.
In terms of reform of the motor tax system, adjustments to motor tax rates and changes to the structure of the motor tax system are generally made in a Budgetary context and are a matter for consideration as part of Budget preparations.
210. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if there is signage on the M50 for Carrickmines retail park at the appropriate exit; if not, if he will consider this given the size of the park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39949/21]
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 operation and management of individual national roads, including signage, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
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.
211. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for their driver theory test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39951/21]
View answerThe operation of the driver theory testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. As Minister, I have no role in operational matters and no power to intervene.
I understand from the Authority that the test centre in Cavan does not open every day. It opens only when candidates are scheduled with confirmed appointments. I further understand that there were no issues in respect of Cavan theory test centre being closed when it should have been open.
Theory Test centres are currently conducting a maximum of 25,000 theory tests monthly. The in-person Theory Test Services has the ability to gradually increase to 50,000 tests per month over time and capacity is due to be increased on a gradual baisis until it reaches 50,000 tests monthly. Capacity of 25,000 tests per month, means that there are currently some customers with an appointment for a Theory Test which must be rescheduled to a later date due to the volume restrictions.
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.
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 being put in place to safely and gradually increase capacity to 50,000 tests per month.
212. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a driver theory test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39997/21]
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.
213. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to open additional driver test centres to alleviate the driver test backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40025/21]
View answerWhile this is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, who have responsibility for the operation of the driver testing service, I understand that an extra 10 temporary test centres have been opened. In almost all cases these new locations are close to existing test centres and are effectively an expansion of existing locations or replacing an unsuitable location.
A further 9 locations have been expanded within the existing premises to accommodate more testers. They are needed because there is not adequate space in existing centres to accommodate many of the additional driver testers and comply with social distancing requirements.
214. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if a driver theory test can be rescheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40026/21]
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.
215. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the agencies and State organisations under his Department that are receiving State funding that do not have to declare salaries of employees under the 2016 code of governance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40046/21]
View answerAs required under the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, all agencies under my Department’s remit in receipt of state funding publish aggregate details of the remuneration of their key management employees in their Annual Reports and/or Financial Statements. The exception to this is the Commissioner of Irish Lights (CIL) which is not governed by the Code of Practice for State Bodies 2016 but by the UK Department for Transport document for the General Lighthouse Authorities, to which my Department is a party. Under the UK Code the salaries are fully declared in CIL’s annual reports.
216. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if there are specific grants available for companies based in Ireland that wish to invest in electric buses to further bolster emission reduction policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40047/21]
View answerProviding a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of the Irish Government. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. Decarbonisation of heavy-duty vehicles will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector.
To promote the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty sector, my Department launched a new Alternatively-Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme on 15 March 2021.The Scheme, which is administered by TII, is intended to help bridge some of the difference in purchase price between conventional heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and those powered by alternatively-fuelled power-trains. To accord with EU State Aid rules, grant levels under the Scheme are calculated as a percentage of the difference in price between a conventionally-fuelled diesel HDV and its alternatively-fuelled equivalent. Maximum grant levels for eligible vehicles depend on the size of the enterprise applying for the grant.
€2m was allocated to this scheme in 2021 and given the excellent response to the initiative, my Department has allocated an additional €1m in funds this year to assist the heavy-duty vehicle sector in its transition to zero-mobility.
217. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if assistance will be provided for taxi drivers in renewing their PSV licences in 2021 due to many facing a large decrease in their income caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40053/21]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that standard SPSV licence renewal fees, which were waived in 2021, will be waived again in 2022. Furthermore, in recognition of the fact that many SPSV drivers have not worked since the start of the pandemic, the NTA, the statutory regulator for the SPSV industry, has doubled the period to 24 months that an SPSV licence may rest in inactive status after expiry. This measure will facilitate drivers returning to the sector as society and the economy reopen and passenger demand for taxi services returns.
218. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the cancellation level and occurrence on the Bus Éireann national route number 30 from Donegal town to Dublin; the average national cancellation level on national routes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40062/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters.
The query raised relates to Bus Éireann's commercial service, Expressway, and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
219. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the status of transport issues (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40065/21]
View answer226. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if the current situation in relation to bus fares (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40248/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 226 together.
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 operations of public transport.
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. Further, Bus Éireann’s Expressway services are commercial bus services and responsibility for setting fares and the operation of those services is a matter for the company.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the NTA and Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
220. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport the responsibility he or his Department have in the provision of public street lighting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40066/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I allocate the national capital roads programme budget to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to manage and deliver (in accordance with the Roads Acts 1993-2015) the planning, design and construction of all national roads, in conjunction with the local authorities. In addition, under Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993 to 2015, the improvement and maintenance of all public roads, including public lighting is the statutory responsibility of the relevant Local Authority supplemented by funding from my Department.
Accordingly, policy and decisions in relation to new installations and extensions to public lighting schemes is a matter for local authorities in conjunction with TII in relation to national roads and in this regard, I have referred your question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
221. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to irregularities at a driving theory test centre (details supplied) in which persons have presented at their appointed test time to discover the centre closed, nobody answering the phone number provided and without receiving any notification of the cancellation of their test; the steps he will take to rectify this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40131/21]
View answerThe operation of the driver theory testing service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in operational matters.
I understand from the Authority that the test centre in Cavan does not open every day. It opens only when candidates are scheduled with confirmed appointments. I further understand that there were no issues in respect of Cavan theory test centre being closed when it should have been open. However, a number of appointments were rescheduled due to government capacity restrictions and all impacted candidates were notified via email of their new appointments details.
222. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the Ardee bypass project; the associated key timelines; if he will provide any relevant information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40135/21]
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. 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 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.
223. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Meath County Council draft appraisal for the proposed Julianstown bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40153/21]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable.
In relation to the appraisal of possible measures to manage traffic in the vicinity of Julianstown, the Department understands that Meath County Council intends to carry out an origin and destination information gathering exercise to obtain a clear indication of the traffic movements and patterns in and around Julianstown with a view to informing a wider transport study for the Drogheda and East Meath area. I also understand from Departmental contact with Meath County Council that the collection of origin and destination data has not yet commenced due to Covid-19 restrictions and such data is needed to inform any appraisal in respect of the Julianstown bypass. Accordingly I can confirm that the Department has not yet received the required project appraisal.
224. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport when driving lessons and driver tests will resume for non-essential workers and the general population; the steps that will be taken to clear the significant backlog of those awaiting driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40159/21]
View answerDriving tests for essential workers are clearly the priority across all services. Driving tests for those not classed as essential recommenced 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 driver 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 the recruitment of and additional 40 temporary driver testers who will commence testing in due course.
The driver testing operations of the Road Safety Authority have begun to fully reopen, on a gradual basis, as additional capacity comes on stream.
Driving lessons are not a State service. They are provided by Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs), who are self-employed or employed by driving schools. It is up to ADIs to consider the extent to which they can provide lessons in safety to a wider cohort of people, and I understand that the RSA will be discussing with them how their services might be extended.
The Government will continue to be guided by public health advice on the safe provision of services and, in conjunction with the RSA, continues to keep the situation under review to ensure that every possible measure is being put in place so that the maximum number of customers can be served while adhering to public health requirements.
