Written Answers Nos. 223-244
223. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport if the working condition of HGV drivers is contributing to the labour shortage in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43936/21]
View answerHGV drivers in Ireland benefit from the same employment rights as other employees. In addition, they are subject to strict EU driving hours regulations, the purpose of which is both to protect drivers from having to work excessive hours, whilst also ensuring safety of all road users. Last year the EU adopted a range of measures aimed at improving working conditions in the sector, known as the EU Mobility Package. These measures will be implemented in Ireland over the coming years.
In terms of addressing the shortage of drivers in the haulage industry a lot of work is underway to help address and alleviate the problem. In July I asked the National Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group, which is chaired by my Department, to examine the issue and to make recommendations as a matter of urgency. I expect to receive their report by the end of the month and I will work to ensure that the recommendations are implemented as soon as possible.
224. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed a copy of the report by a person (details supplied) relating to the development of the western rail corridor; his views on the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43219/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will know, I stated my commitment to conduct a Strategic Rail Review, which has recently commenced. It will strategically review the rail network on the island of Ireland in relation to improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities, enhancing regional accessibility and balanced regional development and also consider rail connectivity to our international gateways, with the latter considering the role of rail freight.
The Review will also consider the potential scope for improved rail services along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network and that scope will certainly include the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.
225. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport the status of the development of national road projects both for primary and secondary roads in County Mayo; and his plans for future developments of same. [43220/21]
View answerAs 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 Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. 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.
226. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport the position in relation to rail freight access at Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43221/21]
View answerDublin Port is the largest and busiest port in the State serving the trading needs of Ireland with on average 70% of all vessels visits and over 50% of all tonnage handled by ports in Ireland.
The container rail freight service to Ballina continues to operate with five return freight services per week from Ballina to Dublin port despite challenges brought about because of the large growth in volumes on direct services with Continental Europe post Brexit. In addition to the Ballina rail freight service, all of Tara Mines exports of lead and zinc ore concentrate are delivered to Dublin Port by rail.
I believe that Dublin Port and Irish Rail are also committed to working towards facilitating rail freight to the port in the longer term.
As of today Dublin Port remains the only port in Ireland through which cargo moves by rail. Rail accounts for 0.7% of all movements of containers and trailers through Dublin Port and 0.6% of all such movements through all Irish Ports. However, I understand that a new twice weekly rail freight service between Ballina and the Port of Waterford is due to commence before the end of the month.
My Department, in consultation with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland) and other relevant stakeholders, is undertaking a strategic review of the heavy rail network on the island of Ireland. The review will consider all issues in relation to inter-urban and inter-regional rail connectivity, including the potential for high-/higher speed(s), improved connectivity to the North West and rail connectivity to our international gateways, with the latter considering the potential role of rail freight.
I believe strongly in the potential of rail freight and think it can play a bigger role in freight transport generally on this island. That is why, as part of the strategic rail review, we have included a specific focus on the topic.
227. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport the status of the R312 in County Mayo; the funding that has been draw down by Mayo County Council in relation to same; and if a commitment will be given for the inclusion of additional resources for regional roads in the forthcoming review of the NDP. [43222/21]
View answerThe 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, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Mayo County Council received an allocation of €850,000 this year under the Specific Improvement Grant Programme to progress the road re-alignment and bridge replacement scheme at Glenisland on the R312. My Department understands that construction of the scheme is approaching completion. To date in 2021, Mayo Council has drawn down €634,469 for this project.
As regards further projects on the R312, any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific/Strategic Grant Programmes are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Department's Capital Appraisal Framework (CAF). Given the limited funding available for road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind. Any projects put forward for consideration are assessed taking competing projects and available budgets into account.
My Department has not received any further applications from Mayo County Council for additional specific improvements works on the R312.
228. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has utilised the services of organisations (details supplied) at any time from 1 January 2015 to date; if so, the expenditure costs related to same; the purpose of any such engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43249/21]
View answerIn 2015 the Department of Transport engaged Common Purpose to deliver leadership training to two members of staff. The total cost of this training was €11,000. The Department has not engaged the services of Common Purpose since 2015.
229. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if a response will issue to correspondence from this Deputy on 3 August 2021 (details supplied) regarding the outsourcing of jobs at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43279/21]
View answerI would like to acknowledge the delay in responding to your email on the 3rd of August however I can set out the position on this matter below.
In the first instance, the matters being referred to by the Deputy are industrial relations matters and therefore, matters for the Company, the employees and the trade unions concerned.
The severe impacts of COVID-19 saw passenger numbers at Dublin and Cork airports decline by 78% to 7.9 million in 2020, as almost 28 million fewer passengers used those airports last year when compared to 2019. The outcome of this unprecedented reduction in passenger numbers in evidenced in daa's Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2020 which show that the Company recorded losses of some €187m in 2020. In response to this, the Company embarked on a restructuring of the business and the introduction of new work practices.
In this regard, it has reached agreements on new ways of working with some 93% of staff (c. 2,100 employees). Where daa has not reached agreement with unions and staff in relation to the introduction of these new work practices, the Company has engaged with the industrial relations institutions of the State, including the Labour Court.
I have been informed that following engagement with the Labour Court, some Unions and staff have not accepted the Labour Court recommendation regarding daa’s introduction of new work practices, and as a result, the Company advised staff in these areas that it was commencing engagement in relation to the provision of front-line maintenance services by a third-party provider.
I have been informed that this may result in the transfer of staff and their activities to a third party, however, no final decision had been made in this regard. I am also advised that daa continues to seek engagement with the trade unions in relation to this matter.
230. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that taxi drivers are encountering problems getting plain glass into new EV cars (details supplied) which means they cannot licence the vehicle as the standard tint is not acceptable for a taxi suitability test; if there are plans to introduce a temporary measure or waiver to off-set this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43283/21]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including vehicle standards for taxis, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have, therefore, forwarded your correspondence to the Authority for consideration and direct reply. Please advise this office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
231. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the annual budget allocation for the Road Safety Authority’s digital portal for essential driver training; the number of personnel employed to oversee the IT system; and if the system is monitored 24/7. [43327/21]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test.
The is an operational matter for the RSA and I do not have any role in this process. This question is therefore being referred 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.
232. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport if additional allocations for roads investments in non-national roads will be made available to local authorities before the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43367/21]
View answerThe 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 Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable.
Under the National Development Plan (NDP), as it stands, there has been a significant increase in Exchequer funding for regional and local roads, particularly in the last four years. Funding is not yet at the level needed for the adequate maintenance and renewal of regional and local roads and so for this reason, the primary focus for capital investment continues to be the protection and renewal of the network with some limited investment in road improvement projects.
Local authorities were notified of the 2021 regional and local road allocations in February this year. In addition, in June I 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. All regional and local road grant funding available to my Department has now been allocated.
233. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if customer services officers are onboard all intercity trains; and if not, the estimated cost of ensuring at least one customer service officer is onboard each intercity train for each rail journey. [43400/21]
View answerAs the 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.
The issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore referred 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.
234. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the income received by Dublin Bus from advertisements in each of the past three years in tabular form. [43401/21]
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 issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus 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.
235. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given by his Department to extending current learning permits expiry dates due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43431/21]
View answerFurther extensions to the validity of learner permits are not being considered at this time.
The latest extension to the validity of learner permits, granted because of the difficulties in applying for and renewing a learner permit while services were unavailable under Covid 19 restrictions, was introduced on 24 June 2021. It applied to permits expiring between 1 March 2020 and 31 July 2021.
Following the easing of restrictions, NDLS centres are now open to all applicants and measures have been put in place to align with the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocols. In addition, the online application system is available to applicants with a Public Services Card and a verified MyGovID account.
236. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driving test; the measures being taken to address this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43432/21]
View answerFigures regarding the number of people awaiting a driver test are held by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have therefore referred this part of 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.
Covid-19 has had on profound effect on the delivery of the Road Safety Authority’s driver testing services resulting in a significant backlog.
Due to suspension of driver testing services in the first 2020 lockdown, along with the health protocols since resumption of service and the further curtailing of services during subsequent level 5 restrictions, a significant backlog has developed.
Since last October, the driver testing service has been prioritising essential workers. Since May 2021, the RSA has been returning to delivering tests for all customers, while continuing to prioritise critical frontline workers. This means, in the interest of fairness, the RSA targeted test appointments to those waiting longest who are ready and eligible to take the test. The number of tests being offered weekly
continues to grow
The service continues to operate under restrictions in the interest of making it safe while there is an ongoing presence of Covid. Given the necessity for a tester to be in close proximity to a test candidate, and to get into vehicles brought by the candidates which are therefore not a controlled environment, this places limits on the capacity of the test service.
When the service resumed in June 2020, testers were conducting 5 tests each per day, as against 8 before the pandemic. This increased to 6 tests from 14 September 2020. The RSA is looking to increase the number of tests to 7 per tester per day from late September 2021, subject to compliance with health protocols.
In order to deal with the backlog, the RSA received sanction to hire 40 new temporary testers, in addition to 36 they were sanctioned to retain or rehire in 2020. These new testers have completed their training and are now conducting live tests since July 2021. Sanction has also been granted to recruit a further 40 testers and the process has commenced.
An extra 10 temporary test centres have been opened (and are effectively an expansion of existing locations or replacing unsuitable locations), and a further 9 locations have been expanded within the existing premises, to accommodate more testers.
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.
237. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken to ensure that all taxis will accept electronic and card payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43440/21]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including arrangements for fares for SPSVs, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have, therefore, forwarded your correspondence to the Authority for consideration and direct reply. Please advise this office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
238. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the reason that residents of islands who have island rate car tax on their island-based cars cannot renew the tax online given that they are not allocated a pin number with their renewal notice; if he plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43465/21]
View answerA concessionary rate of motor tax was introduced in 2001 for vehicles which are kept and used exclusively on an offshore island to which there is no direct road or bridge access from the mainland. The current rate is €102 annually.
The online motor tax system has proven successful with over 90% of vehicle owners nationwide who are eligible to do so now taxing online. My Department’s principal objective in this regard is that the online facility should cover as wide a range of motor tax transactions as possible. While the vast majority of vehicles can now be taxed online, there are still a small cohort of vehicles, including island vehicles, that are not enabled for online taxing due to the requirement for supporting documentation in support of a claim for a concessionary rate of tax.
There are, at any given time, a number of significant technical projects in train in respect of the National Vehicle and Driver File (the central vehicle database) and, while the development of online solutions, including verification processes, for that cohort is something that my Department would hope to progress in the future, there are no plans to do so in the short term.
239. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport when a licence will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43555/21]
View answerAll enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to individual applications.
240. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport when the planning application for the railway order for Metrolink is expected to be lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43607/21]
View answerIn an Irish context, MetroLink is no ordinary project and is likely the largest ever public investment project in the history of the State.
As one might expect for a project of this scale preparation of a railway order application is an enormous undertaking. There has been a huge amount of work already completed in terms of getting the project to the point it is today.
However, I understand there remains an extensive body of work in relation to finalizing the preliminary design, completing the required environmental impact assessment reports and closing out property referencing issues before the railway order application will be ready for submission to An Bord Pleanála. Aspects of this work were impacted by COVID-19 restrictions earlier in the year and I understand that it will likely be Q1 2022 before the Railway Order application will be ready, with submission to An Bord Pleanála expected shortly thereafter.
In parallel, and as required under the Public Spending Code, the Preliminary Business Case for the project has been submitted to my Department. This is known as Decision Gate 1 and the Code stipulates that the Preliminary Business Case must be reviewed by my Department and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform prior to presentation to Government.
Approval under “Decision Gate 1: Preliminary Business Case” is required prior to any application to An Bord Pleanála (ABP) for a Railway Order and therefore I expect to bring the matter to Government in advance of the Railway Order application being finalised in Q1 2022.
241. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the initiatives taken by his Department to access EU funding to provide free Covid-19 testing in order to facilitate safe transport and movement of citizens and to support the transport sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43644/21]
View answerCovid-19 tests for travel are not provided by the State and my Department has not sought EU funding for these tests. However since the easing of restrictions on international travel in July 2021, we have seen a welcome increase in international passenger numbers.
In addition to passenger travel, Ireland relies on the transport sector for our international connectivity for the continued supply of goods in and out of the country. Since the onset of the pandemic, the Government has been very focused on ensuring that all the elements of the supply chain continue to function for our economic wellbeing. In April 2020, the Government introduced the temporary designation of five strategic maritime routes into and out of Ireland as Public Service Obligation routes for a period of up to three months. In January 2021, my Department put in place testing arrangements for HGV drivers traveling to France following new rules introduced by France requiring HGV drivers to have negative covid tests prior to entering the country. These tests were provided free of charge to HGV drivers at sites in Dublin and Wexford close to Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort until April 2021 and were only discontinued after the requirements by the French authorities were dropped. Ireland also continues to exempt essential transport workers travelling in the course of their international duties from testing and quarantine requirements when entering Ireland in the interests of keeping supply chains open.
In relation to supports for businesses in general, the Government's Economic Recovery Plan has extended the period during which a range of business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy.
242. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport when the appointment of a chair of Shannon Group plc will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43666/21]
View answerI am pleased to advise the Deputy that the process to appoint a new Chair which is administered by the Public Appointment Service (PAS) has now reached its final stages.
Minister of State Naughton and I met with the candidates shortlisted via the PAS process last week and I expect to make an announcement in relation to the appointment of a new Chairperson shortly.
In line with normal arrangements for the appointment of Chairs to State Boards, the Chair designate will be required to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications before being formally appointed as Chair of Shannon Group.
243. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the detail of the fines for service failures over the past two years for Dublin Bus and Go Ahead; and the reasons and formulae for deciding these fines. [43678/21]
View answer244. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the details of the fines issued to Dublin Bus by the NTA over the past period, specifically those that relate to the operations of the new PA hybrid bus; if his attention has been drawn to concerns (details supplied) that such fines are being issued erroneously by the NTA for failure to deliver services which have in fact operated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43679/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 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.
The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the individual transport operators and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
