Written Answers Nos. 223-240
223. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if funding has been provided in 2022 for the purchase of additional Luas carriages; and if so, when the contract for same will be put out to tender. [53031/21]
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 the provision of light rail.
Given their responsibility in relation to this matter, I have forwarded your query to the NTA for a direct reply. Please notify my office if you have not received a response within 10 working days.
224. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of installing a minimum of one defibrillator at each major train station and the necessary staff trained in the use of the defibrillator. [53032/21]
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 an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have 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.
225. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if funding has been provided for the refurbishment of a new Irish Coast Guard building in Westport and Greystones; when each of the works will commence; the estimated duration of each project; and the estimated cost of these works. [53033/21]
View answerThe Irish Coast Guard Building Programme is managed by the Office of Public Works and funded by the Department of Transport. Construction of Coast Guard Stations at both Greystones and Westport are both on the priority list for this programme listed at Number 1 and Number 2 respectively.
Funding for Greystones has been approved by my Department with estimated costs of €3.9 M. It is envisaged that contracts will be awarded by the end of 2021 with a view to commence the construction Phase during Q1 of 2022. Construction will take two years to complete.
Funding for Westport has also been approved by my Department which is estimated at €3.93 M. Awarding of the contract for Westport is expected by the end of 2021 with a view to commence the construction phase during Q1 of 2022. The construction phase for Westport is also expected to take two years to complete.
226. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that parents who are awaiting their full driving test are now unable to drive their children to school in certain areas of rural County Clare; if contingency plans have been put in place to expedite these urgent licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53058/21]
View answerWhile I appreciate that the requirement to drive under the supervision of an experienced driver may be logistically challenging for learner drivers in rural communities, it has been an offence for a learner to drive without appropriate supervision since 2007.
The driving test sets out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licensed driver. Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test they are not safe to take to our roads without appropriate supervision.
Until a learner has successfully passed the test, they are not in a position to apply for a driving licence.
The driver testing service must operate under restrictions in the interests of making it safe in the context of the continuing 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.
The Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to meet the growing demand for tests. An additional 40 driver testers have been authorised along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. These new testers have completed their training and are now conducting live tests since July 2021.
When the service resumed in June 2020, testers were conducting five tests each per day. Since 27 September 2021, this has been increased to seven tests per tester per day.
An extra 10 temporary test centres have been opened and a further 9 locations have been expanded within the existing premises, to accommodate more testers.
227. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting their full licence driving test in each county in tabular form. [53059/21]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test.
The information requested is held by the Road Safety Authority. 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.
228. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the isolation that is now being caused for rural dwellers who have not been able to access a full driving test since the Covid-19 pandemic; if his attention has been further drawn to the way this is negatively impacting their access to services and their normal everyday business and that they run the risk of losing their vehicle if they do drive without a fully licensed driver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53060/21]
View answerIn line with the gradual reopening of services this summer, driving tests for all those who are eligible to take the test and have been waiting longest have now recommenced. Critical frontline workers continue to be the priority for the driver testing service. There is no discrimination against rural dwellers seeking a test. Everyone who is eligible to take a test can seek a date for a test.
While I appreciate that everyone is anxious to take their test, they must pass their Theory Test, hold a Learner Permit for at least 6 months and take 12 mandatory lessons before they are eligible to sit a test. It is also notable that on average 44% of all those who sit a driving test, fail the test.
While I am fully sympathetic that the requirement to drive under the supervision of an experienced driver may be difficult in families where there is a single qualified driver, I must be very clear that it has been an offence for a learner to drive without appropriate supervision since 2007. This is an important life-saving law and there can be no excuses for breaking it.
A learner permit is not a driving licence, but a permit to be on the road for the purpose of learning to drive under the supervision of an appropriately qualified driver. The driving test sets out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licensed driver. Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test they are not safe to take to our roads without appropriate supervision.
229. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the way in which it is practical to expect rural persons to be able to adhere to the law in terms of having to have a fully licensed driver present at all times if, for example, there is only one fully licensed driver in household and they are expected to undertake every car journey for that entire family. [53061/21]
View answerWhile I am fully sympathetic that the requirement to drive under the supervision of an experienced driver may be difficult in families where there is a single qualified driver, I must be very clear that it has been an offence for a learner to drive without appropriate supervision since 2007. This is an important life-saving law and there can be no excuses for breaking it.
A learner permit is not a driving licence, but a permit to be on the road for the purpose of learning to drive under the supervision of an appropriately qualified driver. The driving test sets out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licensed driver. Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test they are not safe to take to our roads without appropriate supervision.
230. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the reason student Leap cards are not being capped in such a way that students do not spent over €30 a week in Dublin on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53080/21]
View answerAs 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 question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
231. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if signage on national roads in County Kerry in respect of an important public facility will be updated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53091/21]
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 management and operation of individual national roads, including the provision of signage, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
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 Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to enact legislation to address the shortcoming identified in the Clinch report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53101/21]
View answerClinchmaritime Ltd. were commissioned by my Department to conduct a review of current organisational structures underpinning marine accident investigation in Ireland in the context of national, EU and international obligations. The intention to commission that review was mentioned by me when appearing at the Committee on Transport and Communications - the review was not requested by that Committee.
Secondly, the review was commissioned following an adverse judgment from the Court of Justice of the European Union in relation to the composition of the Board of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (the issue being the presence of Departmental officials on the Board - a matter which has been dealt with). Finally, it is incorrect to link that ruling, on the composition of a Board established in 2002, with the Whiddy Island disaster that occurred in 1979.
My Department has received the final report from Clinchmaritime Ltd. and it is currently being considered by Departmental officials. In addition, the Department is continuing to engage with the Office of the Attorney General (AGO) to obtain legal advice on certain aspects of the report. Policy proposals to address the recommendations of the report, including the enactment of legislation if required, will be developed in due course.
233. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the funding mechanisms that may be available within his Department for a strategic public transport service (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53139/21]
View answerMy Department does not provide any funding for domestic ferry services to the islands.
I am aware that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage does provide assistance for some passenger ferry services to offshore islands and the Deputy may wish to pursue the matter directly with that Department.
234. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport the number of existing contracts of an indefinite period entered into by his Department prior to the enactment of the EU Procurement Directive. [53240/21]
View answerThere are eleven existing contracts of an indefinite period which were entered into by my Department prior to the enactment of the EU Procurement Directive.
In addition, the CEOs of two agencies under my Department’s remit asserted their right to a contract of indefinite duration under the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003 prior to the enactment of the EU Procurement Directive in May 2016.
235. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the usage statistics for each individual station of the Limerick, Cork and Galway bike schemes that are available in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53246/21]
View answer236. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the membership figures of the public bike share scheme in Limerick, Galway and Cork in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [53247/21]
View answer237. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the total cost in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021 to run the public bike share scheme in Limerick, Cork and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53248/21]
View answer238. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the total cost in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021 to run Dublin Bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53249/21]
View answer239. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the membership figures of the Dublin Bikes scheme in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [53250/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 235 to 239, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel and public transport infrastructure. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the management of public bike schemes. Details regarding the investment in, operation of and expansion of, existing and proposed bike schemes fall under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA), working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the NTA's responsibilities in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions relating to the various bicycle sharing schemes in our cities to the NTA for a more detailed reply . Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
240. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if proposals for additional investment and upgrading the Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line beyond 2021-2022 were included in the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53337/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway infrastructure, including the Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line.
This is the second year of the five year IMMAC programme, as approved by Government in 2020, and over the five years of the programme just over €1billion in Exchequer funding will be made available to support delivery. This funding will increase service reliability and punctuality, improve journey times and ensure continued safety of rail services. In 2021 for example this programme will support an enhanced programme of track relaying on the Ballybrophy line.
The National Development Plan has provided additional funding for the heavy rail network which will be allocated in line with the Public Spending Code and the Infrastructure Manager Multi-Annual Contract.
