Written Answers Nos. 205-222
205. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if he will incentivise the provision of public access electric vehicle chargers by private individuals and businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52790/21]
View answer206. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the funds he has provided or intends to provide to incentivise the provision of public access electric vehicle chargers by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52791/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A national charging infrastructure strategy is due for publication early next year which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030. There are a number of incentives available to both private individuals, public sector organisations and businesses to support the installation of vehicle charging infrastructure.
I am also aware that a report was published by the CCMA on the provision of guidance to local authorities on the provision of charging infrastructure. The document is available for viewing online at www.lgma.ie/en/publications/general-publications/local-authority-electrification-of-fleet-and-ev-charging-guidance.pdf
Preparations are underway to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles. This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles. It will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure.
In terms of existing incentives for charging points, the Public Charge Point Scheme continues to be available during 2021 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. My Department has committed to reviewing the Scheme later this year to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Charging at home is the most convenient and cheapest way to recharge. Targeting the installation of smart home chargers is a priority as we look to moving towards more energy efficient and sustainable ways to charge. A grant is available from the SEAI for those individuals seeking to install a home charger.
There is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging, and workplace charging.
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
Further details on the progression of this project can be found at www.esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.
My Department is also developing a new scheme which will support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as hotels and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
207. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will run a trial extension of the 220 Cork bus route to Kinsale, County Cork. [52811/21]
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
Therefore, the issue raised is a matter for the NTA and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
209. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport if the cliff rescue element will be restored to the Bunbeg Coast Guard station based in Bunbeg, Letterkenny, County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52877/21]
View answerThe provision of Irish Coast Guard cliff rescue services in Donegal is currently provided by the Greencastle, Mulroy and Killybegs Coast Guard Units. There is also an ability to transport any of these three units to an island on the Sligo based Coast Guard Rescue helicopter.
The strategic decision was to retain cliff rescue services in Donegal through the Greencastle, Mulroy and Killybegs Units.
The Bunbeg / Tory Island CGU will continue to be a well-resourced team while the enhancement of boat rescue services and shoreline search by the unit will continue to be the priority based on need and risk.
210. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the action he is taking to ensure offshore windfarms can be built and maintained from ports on the east, south and west coasts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52889/21]
View answerThe primary function of our state ports is to facilitate maritime transport which is the most important means of connecting Ireland to international markets, accounting for more than 90% of Ireland’s international trade, in volume terms. At the same time, it is recognised that there is a pressing need for Ireland to have the port capacity in place to exploit the opportunities presented by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE), with the EU Strategy on Offshore Renewable Energy proposing at least 60 GW by 2030 and to 300 GW by 2050, the Programme for Government targeting a capacity of 5 GW of offshore wind energy by 2030 and 30GW thereafter of floating offshore wind power in deeper waters in the Atlantic.
The Department of Transport in conjunction with the Irish Maritime Development Office is currently engaging with the ORE sector to assess the options for our ports to facilitate the ORE sector and assist Ireland achieving its emission reduction targets.
As part of the ongoing assessment of requirements the Department/IMDO has been engaging throughout 2021 with the individual companies, Wind Energy Ireland, Eirgrid and stakeholders in the ORE sector to ascertain their needs and intentions and to facilitate further discussions with the Ports. Cross departmental engagement between Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications and Housing, Local Government and Heritage has also been ongoing. The Department/IMDO have also met with other ports and administrations to establish best practice in this regard in Europe.
As part of endeavours to maximise EU funding, the Department engaged extensively with other Member States and the Commission advocating for inclusion of funding for ORE required port infrastructure under TEN-t and CEF and successfully obtained changes to the CEF criteria to allow EU funding of port infrastructure for ORE in the next 2021-2023 funding stream.
This is significant and a clear recognition of the vital role that ports will play in the achievement of carbon reduction through wind energy and a sign that the EU is committed to supporting the development of ORE port infrastructure. Successful applicants can obtain significant funding of up to 50% of eligible costs for studies and up 30% of infrastructure works costs.
There will be three calls for applications in this period and the Department of Transport is currently engaging with ports to assist, where appropriate, in applying for this funding. There currently are potential applicants on the east coast, south/south west coast and on the west coast.
The Department also held an open information day on 21st October 2021 to assist potential applicants. The Commission and the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency presented as did one of the State Port Companies having been a successful applicant for funding for port infrastructure previously. There was a high level of attendance from interested parties seeking to make applications.
211. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to update the national ports policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52895/21]
View answerNational Ports Policy provides the overarching policy framework for the governance and future development of Ireland’s state port network. The responsiveness and competitiveness of Ireland's maritime transport industry are underpinned by National Ports Policy 2013. It has helped foster competition between ports and ensure minimal barriers to entry for shipping companies seeking to enter the Irish market.
Over the last eight years since Government approved the National Ports Policy in 2013, the broad objectives outlined in the policy have been achieved. Ports have been categorized in order of National Significance, a move that helped to unlock EU funding for our Tier 1 ports. The policy gave our ports a clear direction, placing their role firmly within the planning hierarchy and encouraged ports to develop master plans. National Ports Policy 2013, and subsequently the Harbours Act 2015, facilitated the transfer of the five ports of regional significance
The national and international environment for which the 2013 policy was developed has changed fundamentally. As Minister, I recognise that a new approach is needed to assist our ports with the environmental, technological, demographic, and geopolitical challenges of the next decade and beyond. My Department will commence a review of National Ports Policy by the end of 2021 with the aim of producing an Issues Paper for public consultation early in 2022.
212. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that at least 40 trained driving instructors working in driving test centres are at risk of being let go as their contracts may not be renewed as they do not have permanent employment and this will put pressure on the entire testing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52944/21]
View answerIn order to deal with the backlog in driving tests created by Covid, the RSA received approval in 2020 to rehire 36 temporary testers. In addition, the RSA received sanction to hire 40 additional testers on a temporary basis to assist with the backlogs. 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.
Procedures require approval for hiring of staff from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and we have responded to the needs of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) by giving the approvals mentioned.
However, the RSA is the employer of driver testers, not the Department. Specific contractual terms are a matter for the RSA.
213. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52955/21]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. Individual appointments are 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.
214. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the current planning status of the proposed permanent RSA driving test centre for Drogheda, County Louth given the exceptionally high number of persons awaiting tests in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52956/21]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test.
This 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.
215. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driver test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52957/21]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. Individual appointments are 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.
216. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if an update will be provided on the difficulty constituents are experiencing in applying for and successfully installing EV charger infrastructure in communal areas and residential units that do not have private car spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52969/21]
View answerThe Government’s policy regarding the increased usage of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is primarily driven by the Climate Action Plan which sets a target of 936,000 EVs by 2030.
Home charging is considered the primary method of charging for the majority of EVs in Ireland and is a convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly means of charging, especially when using night rate electricity. It accounts for circa 80% of EV charging sessions and will continue to be the primary method of charging in the future. The EV Home Charger Grant Scheme has been in operation since January 2018 to support the installation of home chargers for purchasers of new and second-hand BEVs and PHEVs. The grant provides generous support towards the full cost of installation of a home charger up to a maximum of €600.
Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for apartments to open in the near future.
217. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the current status in relation to provision of Luas carriages on the red line; the increases in carriages that have taken place in the past two years; the increase in service that has taken place in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52977/21]
View answer218. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the improved services that are in the pipeline for the provision of Luas red line services to Citywest via Tallaght and to Citywest via the Red Cow given the huge developments taking place in Citywest and its environs. [52978/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 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.
With regard to the provision of carriages, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including light rail.
The NTA also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. I have, therefore, 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.
219. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the additional cost to the State for additional missions over and above the 12 per month for the years 2015 to 2020 inclusive, in tabular form (details supplied). [52982/21]
View answerThere is no additional cost to the State when the number of HEMS or other aeromedical support missions such as inter hospital transfer missions exceed 12. My Department and the HSE National Ambulance Service have agreed arrangements in place for the operation of this service including arrangements for transfer of funds when this number is exceeded.
The cost to the State for additional services over and above the 12 per month is set out in the following table.
|
Years |
Amount |
|
2015 |
411,601.67 |
|
2016 |
157,177.26 |
|
2017 |
97,525.19 |
|
2018 |
31,904.86 |
|
2019 |
47,504.01 |
|
2020 |
- |
|
TOTAL |
745,712.99 |
220. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport the total allocated funding for Ireland West Airport in 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53018/21]
View answerA new Regional Airports Programme for the period 2021 to 2025 was published on 4 February 2021. This Programme will continue to support Ireland’s smallest airports, including Ireland West Airport, that operate scheduled services and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers. Capital supports under this Programme are targeted at grant-aiding investments in safety and security enhancements and also assist the regional airports in ensuring they comply with international regulatory requirements in these areas. Funding will also support sustainability objectives, enabling these airports to identify and implement climate related efficiencies and build resilience against the likely impacts of climate change.
The RAP has made €13.9m available to our smaller regional airports (Donegal, Ireland West and Kerry) in 2021. €10m in capital funding is available, with €2.2m allocated to Ireland West Airport to date this year. €3.9m in operational supports is also available under the RAP in 2021 with formal assessment currently underway for this funding. Subject to available resources, up to 100% of operating costs associated with providing essential, non-economic services in the areas of safety and security will be funded.
Additional capital project proposals with a sustainability focus, including submissions by Ireland West Airport, are also currently being evaluated for RAP funding in 2021. A decision in relation to these projects is expected to be announced shortly.
A further €6m was made available in 2021 under State aid approved schemes to help airports mitigate the effects of COVID. Almost half of this amount, which relates to losses in 2020, was allocated in July, with €1.9m allocated to Ireland West Airport. The remainder will be disbursed in December following an assessment by the Department of eligible losses in the current year to end 2021.
In relation to 2022 funding, capital funding under the RAP is allocated to airports annually following an assessment of project proposals submitted by airports at the start of each year. Ireland West Airport, along with other eligible airports, will shortly be given the opportunity to submit their capital project proposals for consideration for funding in 2022. Invitations for current funding will issue to airports in 2022 with funding allocations made by year's end.
221. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a report on the current state of the Irish taxi industry; the efforts that will be made to revive it in the interests of both drivers and customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53021/21]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. I recognise that the SPSV industry has been very badly affected by COVID-19 which brought about an almost complete collapse in passenger demand for taxi and other SPSV services. However, based on figures from the National Transport Authority (NTA), I am pleased to advise that passenger demand for SPSV services is now rising as we progress through the next and final phase of the Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic: COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting. NTA figures also show a steady increase in the proportion of SPSV drivers working over the last few months: from 36% of all drivers working in January 2021 to 86% working in October 2021. I expect these trends to continue as restrictions are lifted in line with public health advice.
As the Deputy may be aware, since the start of the pandemic, the Government has put in place a series of both horizontal and industry-specific measures that can be availed of by SPSV drivers. These measures are aimed at supporting the industry through this difficult period and ensuring that drivers are well positioned to take advantage of any improvement in demand as society reopens.
In this context, I understand that as many as 70% of SPSV drivers have availed of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment which, as the Deputy will be aware, has been extended to February 2022. Self-employed SPSV operators can continue to claim the PUP and earn up to €960 in a given 8-week period, net of expenses. As society reopens and passenger demand for taxis increases, this continues to be a very important support for drivers as they return to work. Drivers coming off the PUP can avail of the COVID-19 Enterprise Support Scheme, worth up to €1,000 to meet the costs associated with returning to work.
Support for SPSV operators also continues to be available through a number of measures designed to address statutory costs faced by operators which cannot be deferred. Standard licence renewal fees for SPSVs were waived in 2021 and I can confirm that they will be waived again in 2022 at an estimated cost of €3 million. The NTA has put in place schemes to refund the Motor Tax paid by SPSV operators in the period 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022 and to waive NCT fees for the same period. Further details on these schemes are available on the NTA website. The NTA has also extended standard age limits for taxis and hackneys several times since the start of the pandemic, and these are now waived through to the end of 2022, thereby ensuring no operator exits the industry simply because of the need to replace a vehicle.
Recognising that the replacement of a vehicle is the single largest cost faced by any SPSV operator, and in view of this Government’s commitment to support the transition of the SPSV fleet towards zero/low-emission vehicles, the funding available to the Electric SPSV (eSPSV) grant scheme was increased for 2021 to €15 million, up from €1 million. The amount payable under the scheme was also doubled to €20,000 for operators who scrap older vehicles and make the switch to full electric models. The take up rate for this scheme has been exceptionally high and the 2021 scheme recently closed to new applications following the exhaustion of this year's allocation for the scheme. Further extensions for EV schemes have, however, been recently announced under Budget 2022.
Furthermore, Microfinance Ireland announced on 9 September that a loan finance up to €25,000 is now available to support the eSPSV Grant Scheme, as many SPSV owners are finding it difficult to secure finance from banks and other commercial lending providers. Further information on this facility is available from Microfinance Ireland.
222. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the rules that are in place to ensure card payments are available in taxis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53022/21]
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.
