Written Answers Nos. 225-241
225. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the status of the provision of an adequate bus stop pole (details supplied) at Fernslough, Killickaweeny, Kilcock, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40242/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. As you are aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and shelters.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for an update on the provision of a bus stop at this location. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
227. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the specific guidance he has given the operators of the Luas tram service to limit capacity in line with public health advice given the fact that entry and exit to the Luas system is generally unmanned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40263/21]
View answerAs 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 and management 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.
228. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of having technology installed in each of the Bus Éireann fleet to accept credit or debit card payments. [40327/21]
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, including ticketing and technology infrastructure.
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.
229. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the specific actions he has taken to address the deficiencies in the provision of the driver theory test; if his Department has met the company involved in delivering the test to discuss the problems; the sanctions his Department plans to take for the poor delivery of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40364/21]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation and the funding of the Theory Test.
Any issues in relation to the delivery of the contract are for the Road Safety Authority as the contracting authority and third parties cannot interpose themselves in such contractual relationships. I am therefore referring those elements of the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
230. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport his plans for additional passing loops on the Tralee to Mallow rail line; the estimated cost of such plans; if he will provide a projected timeline for the completion of such works; his views on whether such passing loops will allow for increased frequency of services between Tralee and Mallow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40384/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network, including any operational upgrading of lines such as that referred to by the Deputy, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that a Strategic Rail Review is about to commence which will examine all aspects of the inter-urban/inter-regional rail network, including the Tralee to Mallow line. The Review will consider the future potential of the network and how that potential might be realized. This will be one of the most comprehensive reviews of the network in many years and I look forward to its commencement in the coming weeks.
231. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up to date position in relation to the provision of a bypass for Adare, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40385/21]
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), which is currently under review, 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.
232. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up to date position in relation to the provision of a bypass for Newcastlewest, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40386/21]
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 proposed project, pending also the Government's review of the NDP which is currently underway.
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.
233. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up to date position regarding the provision of a bypass for Abbeyfeale, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40387/21]
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), which is currently under review, 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.
234. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has contingency plans in place to reinstate the Kerry-Dublin PSO in the event of commercial failure on the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40388/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, regional connectivity is of critical importance to this Government. Recent evidence of this priority is the completion by my Department of an accelerated procurement process to reinstate air services on the Donegal/Dublin and Kerry/Dublin routes following the collapse of Stobart Air on 12 June 2021.
While the Donegal route will continue to operate as a Government funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) route, with flights commencing from 26 July, Ryanair has committed to operating the Kerry route on a commercial basis from 28 July.
In the event of any lost or failed services, whether provided by way of Public Service Obligation (PSO) or otherwise, Government is required to adhere to Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, which provides for rules in relation to the provision and procurement of PSO air services in the European Union.
235. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he will make additional funding available to LocalLink services in respect of community transport initiatives such as the Keel-Castlemaine LIFT service which has been in operation in County Kerry since the spring of 2019; his views on whether such schemes are beneficial to communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40389/21]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
236. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up to date position in relation to work his Department has done regarding the provision of a hop-on hop-off Wild Atlantic Way bus service; his views on the benefits and sustainability of such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40390/21]
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. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the Local Link brand. The Wild Atlantic Way is primarily accessed by public transport users via bus services contracted by the NTA, which are mainly provided by TFI Local Link and, to a lesser extent, by Bus Éireann.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
237. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons who are waiting for a driving test and a theory test in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40468/21]
View answerThe driving test and theory test are 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.
238. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has published its review in line with regulation EU 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018, Article 89, section 3; if a copy of the review will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40484/21]
View answerThe recently issued draft European Plan for Aviation Safety 2022-2026 states that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency first review of the actions and measures taken to address the interdependencies between civil aviation safety and socio-economic factors, as is required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 Article 89 section 3, is due to be published by the end of 2021.
My Department has made enquiries as to the status of the review. Once I have received an update it will be shared with the Deputy.
239. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting for a driver theory test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40490/21]
View answerThe 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.
240. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport the funding that has been allocated by his Department for projects and initiatives in County Tipperary over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40499/21]
View answerNational Roads
The allocations issued to Tipperary by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in 2020/2021, as published on their website, are in the table below:
|
|
Improvement |
Maintenance |
Total |
|
2020 |
€5,410,000 |
€852,116 |
€6,262,116 |
|
2021 |
€7,455,000 |
€852,116 |
€8,307,116 |
In 2020, the final expenditure for Tipperary was €9,055,846, an increase of €2.79m on the original allocation, associated with additional improvement allocations.
Active Travel
I announced earlier this year an allocation of €72.8 million to projects in the local authorities outside the Greater Dublin Area and our regional cities. This funding stream constitutes the first ever major Active Travel investment programme for rural Ireland. This overall increase in funding will not only support the construction and improvement of walking and cycling infrastructure but also the deployment of almost 250 Active Travel staff in local authorities around the country. As part of this funding, Tipperary County Council received an allocation of €4,633,000. A full list of projects being funded in Tipperary in 2021 is available here: www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Active-Travel-2021-Allocations-Combined.pdf
Additionally, in April I was delighted to announce a new ‘Additional Outdoor Infrastructure Fund’ of up to €15 million to support local authorities in enhancing outdoor urban space and improving walking and cycling infrastructure. Local authorities were invited to apply under the funding stream for short term measures which will help create safe outdoor urban spaces for the public. The measures will need to be quickly implemented and provide areas in villages, towns, and cities where people can walk, cycle and gather outdoors while practicing social distancing. The funding will allow for changes to traffic management arrangements to facilitate the reallocation of road space to improve facilities and safety for urban pedestrians and cyclists.
The Additional Outdoor Infrastructure Fund is being administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) as part of its overall national funding programme. The deadline for applications passed on 14th May 2021 and on 26th May 2021 the NTA issued allocations to eligible projects in 30 local authorities totalling almost €13.39m. Tipperary County Council received an allocation of €457,190 under this Fund for 13 projects around the county.
Finally, two schools in Tipperary (Loreto Secondary School, Clonmel and Gaelscoil Chluain Meala) will received funding in the first round of the Safe Routes to School Programme. This Programme aims to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities, alleviate congestion at the school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure. An Taisce’s Green Schools team are currently liaising with selected schools and the relevant local authorities to decide on the various interventions which will be made at each school, and specific funding amounts will depend on this outcome of this programme phase.
Greenways
Tipperary County Council have € 95,000.01 allocated for 2021 from the €200,000 allocated from the Carbon Tax fund in July 2020 to bring a 1 km section of the Clonmel to Carrick on Suir Greenway / Blueway from Gas House Bridge Clonmel to Suir Island Clonmel through the statutory process stage.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
As regards the regional and local road grant funding that has been allocated to Tipperary County Council in 2020 and 2021, details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. To date in 2021, Tipperary County Council has drawn down €10,677,406 in respect of this funding.
In addition, I recently announced the details of a €17.3 million investment package for climate adaptation works on regional and local roads with a view to making the network more resilient. Tipperary County Council received an allocation of €973,000.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) administers the Electric Small Public Service Vehicles (eSPSV) Grant Scheme on behalf of the Department. The Scheme:
- was significantly expanded in 2021 to accelerate the greening of the SPSV (taxi/hackney) sector, with €15 million funding available for SPSV drivers who switch to electric vehicles (EVs);
- provides significant grant levels (~ €20,000) for those choosing to scrap an older SPSV and replace it with an EV – this is double the standard grant level (€10,000); and
- has received more than 300 applications and nearly 200 provisional offers have been made by the NTA since the beginning of this year.
Under the eSPSV grant scheme, there have been four applications from County Tipperary to date in 2021 and no applications in 2020. Of these four applications, two applications have been paid totalling €40,000. One application is at provisional offer status with a proposed amount of €20,000 and one application has lapsed.
As 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 and the operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
Noting the NTA's and Iarnród Éireann’s responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to both for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
241. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the pass rate at each NCT test centre for the most recent annual report; the reason for the variation in pass rates between centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40525/21]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Test (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the question 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.
