Thursday, 21 Oct 2021

Written Answers Nos. 164-173

Taxi Licences

Questions (164)

Martin Browne

Question:

164. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the National Transport Authority, NTA, regarding the prevalence of illegal taxi operators; the nature of those discussions; if he has engaged with the NTA and An Garda Síochána to overcome the difficulties involved; if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of legal operators regarding the prevalence of this illegal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51779/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including enforcement and compliance in the SPSV sector, 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 and its statutory independence in that regard, 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Public Transport

Questions (165)

Gary Gannon

Question:

165. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport if the announcement of half price public transport for 19 to 23 year olds will include all those in this age cohort across the country; the commencement date for the scheme; and his views on whether it is important that the scheme runs over the course of the academic year. [51799/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares.

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. 

As part of Budget 2022, I secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a youth travel card (YTC) which will allow any person between the age of 19 and 23 to avail of a 50% discount on fares across the transport network and promote modal shift in the transport sector among this group.

Given the NTA's role in the introduction of the YTC, I have 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Public Transport

Questions (166)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

166. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will give priority in the forthcoming all-island rail review to a rail link of quality between Derry and Letterkenny, which are centres with a very high commuter interchange, that would enable further potential growth in the future onto the west of Ireland rather than light rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51841/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy is aware, my Department, in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland), is undertaking a Strategic Rail Review which will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the period to 2040.

The Strategic Rail Review will review the rail network with regard to the following ambitions: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities (including the potential for high-/higher speed), enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development and rail connectivity to our international gateways, and, of particular relevance to the Deputy's question, improved connectivity to the North-West. Issues such as those raised by the Deputy can be considered within the context of the Review process and I do not think it appropriate to prejudge the outcomes of the process.

This will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years and will provide a framework to develop a much-improved rail network in the years ahead.  A consultation process is included in the scope of the Review and I understand it is planned to be launched next month.  I would encourage all interested parties to participate in the consultation, when the process is launched.

Driver Licences

Questions (167)

Noel Grealish

Question:

167. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if a person with a truck and bus licence from Ontario, Canada can exchange that licence for an equivalent Irish licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51871/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Ireland has a driving licence exchange agreement with Ontario, Canada for car licences only. The Road Safety Authority, as the licensing authority in Ireland, is engaging with the Ontario authorities to examine the possibility of extending the current agreement to include trucks and buses.

To ensure the safety of road users, such agreements can be made only when the relevant authorities

in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the two licensing regimes and are satisfied that they are compatible. 

Taxi Licences

Questions (168)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

168. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if there is a time-limit on the eSPV grant meaning that vehicles that are not delivered and registered as taxis before the end of the year will not be covered; if he will review this situation in view of the well-documented delay in vehicle delivery related to shortage of semi-conductors and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51875/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The aim of the Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme 2021 is to increase the uptake of fully electric SPSVs and zero-emission capable wheelchair accessible SPSVs. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, together with influencing the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles. The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs.

Per the Terms and Conditions of the eSPSV Grant Scheme 2021 any Grant Offer Letter issued to an applicant is valid until the earliest of three calendar months from the date of the Grant Offer Letter, the Scheme End date or 31 December 2021. The three calendar month period has been selected to allow reasonable time for vehicle delivery and completion of the vehicle licensing process.  

However, any eSPSV which has an existing grant offer and was due to be delivered in 2021 but has met unforeseen delays due to semi-conductor shortage, may avail of an extension to 31st March 2022. Grant applicants should contact the NTA to arrange for this extension in relation to vehicles purchased and due for delivery in 2021.

Public Transport

Questions (169)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

169. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if it is planned to reduce the fares for commuter travel on Intercity trains for distances of less than 100 km from origin; if it is planned to extend the range of the urban fringe rates on these lines and introduce them in cases in which they do not already exist on lines such as the Galway to Athlone line and the Galway to Limerick line; if it is planned to introduce Leap cards for these journeys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51888/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares.

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. 

Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Road Projects

Questions (170)

Joe Carey

Question:

170. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a plan with timescales for the development of phase two of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51895/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

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 local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. 

The primary focus for capital investment under the Regional and Local Road Programme continues to be the protection and renewal of the network with some limited investment in road improvement schemes.  As regards strategic road improvement projects, funding is focussed on the implementation of the schemes identified in the National Development Plan, including the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road.

National Transport Authority

Questions (171, 172)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

171. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the criteria used by the NTA to award 10% of Dublin Bus routes to a company (details supplied); if he is satisfied that this represents value for money for the State; the weight given to labour costs in awarding these and any future tenders for service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51965/21]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

172. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if the Dublin Bus tender for the 10% of Dublin routes which were eventually awarded to a company (details supplied) was lower than the winning tender; the reason a tender which would have represented a saving for the State’s finances was rejected by the NTA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51966/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. 

Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to procure public transport services by means of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts. 

Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Question No. 172 answered with Question No. 171.

National Transport Authority

Questions (173, 174)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

173. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the fines accumulated by a company (details supplied) and Dublin Bus for failures to reach performance targets by the NTA since such fines were introduced; the headings under which these fines were levied; if all such fines have been collected or imposed on the providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51967/21]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

174. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if the same criteria and performance targets are the same for each provider in relation to fines imposed for performance failures by the NTA on service providers for public transport in Dublin; if there are different targets for different providers; if so, the rationale for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51968/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51