Written Answers Nos. 276-292
276. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated annual yield for motor tax projected for 2022; the yield for the past five years; the way in which the monies were allocated; and his plans for allocation of the funds in 2021. [41186/21]
View answerGross motor tax receipts for the years 2016 to 2020 are set out below:
|
Year |
Gross motor tax receipts |
|
2016 |
€1,051,632,444 |
|
2017 |
€1,021,442,924 |
|
2018 |
€981,935,777 |
|
2019 |
€964,349,811 |
|
2020 |
€939,554,114 |
Gross motor tax receipts to the end of June 2021 were €485,965,288. Receipts for the year as a whole are projected to be in the order of €918m. Receipts for 2022, assuming no changes to motor tax rates in the upcoming Budget, are predicted to be in the order of €910m.
Prior to 2018, receipts from motor tax were paid into the Local Government Fund. Allocations from the Fund were a matter for the then Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and are set out in the Local Government Fund annual accounts, which are available on the Department of Housing website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/128be-local-government-fund-accounts/.
Since 1 January 2018, receipts from motor tax have accrued to the Exchequer and are paid into the Central Fund. Issues from the Central Fund are used in the day-to-day running of the State and it is, therefore, not possible to link specified revenue to specific expenditure.
277. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of waiving all public service vehicle renewal fees for licences issued in respect of taxis. [41187/21]
View answer278. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of waiving all renewal fees for taxi licences issued in respect of taxi drivers. [41188/21]
View answer279. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of waiving all suitability test fees for vehicles operating as taxis. [41189/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 277, 278 and 279 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including licence and renewal fees, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days
280. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of providing electric and disability accessible vehicles for the entire taxi public services vehicle fleet including charging stations. [41190/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government set out commitments to support the greening of the taxi fleet and to review supports for wheelchair accessible vehicles to enhance accessibility for people with disabilities. The Department of Transport has a number of specific initiatives in place to support these objectives.
I announced a 2021 allocation of €15 million which will support up to 750 taxi and hackney drivers in scrapping their older vehicles and replacing them with zero-emission capable electric alternatives. The scrappage scheme is open for taxis and hackneys reaching their maximum permissible age limit in 2020/21. Up to €20,000 is available for eligible drivers switching to a new all-electric vehicle and up to €32,500 for those moving to a wheelchair accessible full electric vehicle.
Under the Retro-fit Programme to upgrade older public transport infrastructure to make it accessible for people with disabilities, funding is provided for the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) Grant Scheme. The WAV Grant Scheme has been operating annually since 2014 and provides grants for the acquisition or conversion of suitable vehicles to operate as WAVs in the SPSV fleet. This scheme offers up to €7,500 for the purchase of a new wheelchair accessible vehicle.
Both of these schemes are administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA), the statutory regulator under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. In light of the NTA's role in administering the scheme, I have forwarded the aspect of your question which relates to the cost of these schemes to the NTA for direct reply.
Last year, my Department funded installation of SPSV-dedicated EV charging infrastructure at Dublin and Cork airports, as well as at Heuston, Kent and Colbert train stations. My Department is supporting further installations for SPSV charging at key transport hubs in 2021, with an allocation of €3 million earmarked for that purpose.
281. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Boyne greenway from Mornington, County Meath to Drogheda, County Louth; the progress that has been made to date on the project; if funding will be made available as a priority if the project advances through the planning stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41266/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the Programme for Government committed to significantly increased investment in walking and cycling over the lifetime of this Government. I believe this investment will be hugely beneficial to our society, our health and our environment and it will support projects across the country, in both urban and rural Ireland, as this Government looks to fundamentally change the nature of transport in Ireland.
In Budget 2021 we announced that €360 million was being allocated across Government to support walking and cycling this year. These allocations are being made available through my own Department’s expanded active travel and greenways programmes, as well as through other programmes such as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
With regard to the Boyne Greenway from Mornington, County Meath to Drogheda, Co. Louth I am pleased to inform the Deputy of the following:
- Funding for 2021 is €150,000;
- Grant funding to date on the full scheme between Trim, Navan and Drogheda, including the Mornington section, is €792,366;
- The project is currently at Phase 4 - Planning and Statutory Approvals;
- Ecological surveys have been undertaken.
282. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he has further examined the concept of priority cycle routes particularly in proximity to planned or established greenways; if he will fund a pilot project for local authorities to apply to for such developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41299/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government – Our Shared Future sets out an ambitious and wide-ranging set of commitments in relation to walking and cycling, supported by an increased multi-annual budgetary allocation amounting to some €360m per annum over the lifetime of the Government. This funding allocation will see the roll-out of walking and cycling infrastructure across the country, including Greenways.
The issue of connectivity between various types of walking and cycling infrastructure, whether active travel projects in our cities or Greenways across more rural areas, is one which is currently being examined. The Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenways is strategic and cites the need to link into existing cycling and walking infrastructure.
To this end, both the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are undertaking complementary pieces of work to both map existing infrastructure and identify any connectivity gaps to inform future planning decisions and funding allocations. The NTA are working directly with local authorities to create local level Cycling Plans, while the TII will examine this issue at a national, strategic level. It is hoped that a National Cycle Network plan will be produced by Quarter 3 2022.
The issue of cycle routes and their proximity to planned or established greenways will form part of this valuable workstream. The issue of funding for pilot projects as suggested by the Deputy is one which we can examine further as work on the production of a National Cycle Network plan progresses into next year.
283. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport the reason some learner drivers going for a driving test were refused due to the fact that the insurance disk they had printed out as a consequence of working from home due to Covid-19 was deemed to have a faded colour or wrong colour by the tester and that this then imposed an additional test fee and a further delay for many learner drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41325/21]
View answerVehicles presented for a driving test must be insured, and the RSA is entitled to refuse a test if proper proof of insurance is not provided. Some vehicle insurers issue hardcopy insurance discs which meet legal requirements, while others issue discs electronically for home printing.
Legal requirements include a green stripe on the disc, and I understand that sometimes home-printed discs may produce differing colours. There is an inevitable concern that home-printed discs may be easy to forge, and the RSA have an obligation, to be wary of this.
I have no role in individual cases, and if the Deputy has specific cases in mind I would suggest that he raise them with the RSA.
284. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport the reason the commercial vehicles vehicle test which have been carried out in recent months were backdated and vehicle tested at the time did not get a year-long certificate of road worthiness (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41326/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, in response to Covid -19, the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 133/2020) were signed into law on 20 April 2020.
These Regulations amended the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 347 of 2013) to provide that a 3 month extension be given to test due dates for commercial vehicles under the following circumstances:
- Any commercial vehicle with a first test due date falling during the period beginning on 28 March 2020 and ending on 30 June 2020, will have its test due date pushed forward by 3 months; and
- Any commercial vehicle with a valid certificate of roadworthiness (CRW) on 28 March 2020 (i.e. test due date on or after 28 March 2020), will have its test due date pushed forward by 3 months.
The operation of the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no role in determining individual cases.
I have 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.
285. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if discussions have taken place within his Department or if any third party has made contact with his Department in respect of the possible reopening of the Dunleer train station to cater for mid-Louth commuters; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41332/21]
View answer288. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if any discussions have taken place within his Department in respect of a much needed train station on the north of the Viaduct Bridge in Drogheda, County Louth; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41411/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 288 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The maintenance, renewal and operation of the rail network and stations on the network including the proposed stations referred to, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
I am not aware of any discussions between Iarnród Éireann, or other third parties, and the Department on the matter the Deputy has queried.
In the coming weeks work will begin on an all-island Strategic Rail Review and that Review will consider all options in relation to the inter-urban and inter-regional network and issues such as those referred to by the Deputy could form part of that consideration. There will be a public engagement process as part of the Review and I would certainly encourage public representatives, and all other stakeholders, to put their views forward as part of this Review.
286. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting driving tests and driver theory tests; the number of driving tests and driver theory tests taking place monthly; the expected timeline for when the backlog due to the pandemic is expected to be cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41390/21]
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.
287. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport the annual cost for operating Coast Guard helicopters by station. [41410/21]
View answerThe Irish Coast Guard has a contract with CHCI DAC for the provision of a SAR helicopter service which includes 4 bases, at Dublin, Waterford, Shannon and Sligo. I am advised that the Department does not have a breakdown of costs per base. The Department pays CHC on the basis of a monthly standing charge and additional variable costs in line with the terms of the contract. The annual costs for the service is in the region of €60m.
289. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to plans by officials at Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to remove access to one lane of Deansgrange Road; if his officials have met with the council to consider the implications for public transport users including those who use bus routes to access important amenities such as Deansgrange Cemetery; if the NTA has been consulted in relation to the impact on bus journey times and the impact on the proposed BusConnects routes in the area; if he will publish the details of any reports prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41412/21]
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 the BusConnects programme.
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.
290. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the status of an urgent driving test appointment for a person (details supplied) at the Tallaght, Dublin 24 test centre.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41413/21]
View answerThe driving 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.
291. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Finance the grants that are available for car owners to modify their vehicles to accommodate disability in the family, for example, due to dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39992/21]
View answerThe Department of Finance does not provide any grants for the purchase of a vehicle but instead administers the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme which provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.
The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer (SAMO) or a Board Medical Certificate issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.
To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled. The terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme set out six medical criteria, at least one of which is required to be satisfied in order to obtain a Primary Medical Certificate. The criteria are as follows:
- Be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs.
- Be wholly without the use of one of their legs and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that they are severely restricted as to movement of their lower limbs.
- Be without both hands or without both arms.
- Be without one or both legs.
- Be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg.
- Have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
292. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the number of vehicles that have been registered through the VRT system in each of the months during 2021 to date; the revenue received in VRT payments by the State in each of the months in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40149/21]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the number of vehicles registered for Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) to end June 2021, and the tax collected on these registrations, are provided in the table below. These figures are provisional and are therefore subject to potential future revisions.
|
Total |
Receipts €m |
|||||
|
Category A New |
Category A Used |
Category B/C/D/E New |
Category B/C/D/E Used |
All |
All |
|
|
Jan |
25,176 |
7,157 |
6,163 |
3,037 |
41,533 |
135.7 |
|
Feb |
13,713 |
5,981 |
4,119 |
2,245 |
26,058 |
108.0 |
|
Mar |
9,221 |
6,003 |
3,936 |
2,169 |
21,329 |
73.5 |
|
Apr |
7,179 |
5,815 |
3,348 |
1,805 |
18,147 |
61.8 |
|
May |
5,953 |
6,184 |
3,178 |
1,901 |
17,216 |
53.8 |
|
Jun |
2,783 |
5,797 |
1,428 |
1,703 |
11,711 |
42.0 |
