Written Answers Nos. 50-63
50. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if his attention or that of his officials has been drawn to or have entered into correspondence with the RSA to notify his Department that 32 contracted driver testers employed by the RSA are due to see their contracts terminated between December 2021 through to April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56267/21]
View answerIn order to deal with the backlog in driving tests created by Covid, the Road Safety Authority (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 have been conducting tests since July 2021. Sanction has also been granted to recruit a further 40 testers.
Procedures require approval from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for hiring of staff , and we have responded to the needs of the RSA by giving the approvals mentioned. However, the RSA is the employer of driver testers and contractual terms are a matter for the RSA.
I am aware that the 36 temporary testers rehired in 2020 are on contracts which are due to expire in December, March, and May. I am happy to say that my Department has approved a further extension of contracts for those due to expire in December and March. The RSA will conduct a review next year to see how the service is performing and to reassess its needs in light of evolving demand.
51. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will address the case of a person (details supplied). [56269/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, there is a facility in place to declare a vehicle off the road where it is not going to be in use in a public place. This is underpinned by the provisions of the Non-Use of Motor Vehicles Act 2013. The primary purpose of the Act is to replace the system whereby a vehicle was declared off the road retrospectively with a system under which the vehicle must be declared off the road in advance.
The current procedures, only allowing for a future declaration of non-use, have been fully in force since 1st October 2013. Under the revised procedures, an owner can indicate that a vehicle is going to be off the road by making a declaration of non-use at any time in the last month of an existing motor tax disc or previously made declaration of non-use. The declaration can be made online or through the vehicle owner's local motor tax office.
Where a declaration is not made in advance, motor tax must be paid for a minimum of 3 months, along with any arrears of motor tax, where applicable.
In this instance, I understand that tax on the vehicle in question expired at the end of December 2018. In order to declare the vehicle off the road, the Declaration should have been made at any time during that month. There is no record of a Declaration of Non-Use having been made in respect of the vehicle during December 2018, or during 2019, at which point the deadline for making the Declaration would already have passed.
Renewal notices, either electronically or in paper form, are issued to the registered owner of a vehicle in the last month of an extant tax disc. This is an administrative facility to enable ease of taxing and is not a necessary requirement for either taxing the vehicle or declaring it off the road.
Motor tax legislation does not provide for exemptions from the requirement to make a Declaration of Non-Use in individual cases, or for the waiving of arrears. You will appreciate the difficulties in providing for such exemptions or waivers in particular cases, given that other people have had to pay arrears in motor tax where the Declaration of Non-Use of a Motor Vehicle was not made on time, and the necessity generally of maintaining a consistent approach in the application of the legislation.
52. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the provision of a bus shelter (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56277/21]
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 provision of bus stops/shelters.
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.
53. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the status of the commitment on page 14 of the Programme for Government to establish a national public transport forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56312/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government encompasses a wide and ambitious range of commitments for public transport, one of which is the establishment of a national level forum in relation to public transport.
The Deputy will also be aware that my Department is currently finalising a new Sustainable Mobility Policy Framework which I hope to publish before the end of this year. The new policy will support the ambitions of the Programme for Government by setting out a strategic framework for walking, cycling and public transport to 2030.
The development of the new policy has been informed by the review of the existing sectoral policy (known as Smarter Travel), submissions received during my Department's public consultation period and the views and recommendations of other relevant stakeholders. The new policy will provide a platform to advance the ambitions of the Programme for Government in the area of sustainable mobility and will replace the Smarter Travel policy, dating from 2009. Our Programme for Government commitment about a public transport forum will be progressed in the context of the new policy.
54. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to help improve the availability of electric vehicles in Ireland in view of the fact that manufacturers are currently subsidising the retail price due to the high levels of taxation on these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56382/21]
View answer56. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if it is intended to engage with the main banks for low interest loans to be provided to those who wish to purchase electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56384/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 56 together.
Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030; ultimately, the goal is for a zero-emission mobility system by 2050. Electrification will be key to achieving this objective in the transport sector.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the 2019 Climate Action Plan , and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 936,000 EVs on our roads by 2030. This target is challenging but indicates the scale of the transformation that is needed across all sectors if Ireland is to achieve its climate targets in the coming years. The Climate Action Plan 2021 retains this commitment to transforming the national vehicle fleet to a zero emissions fleet, and contains a range of measures to support the public and business in transitioning to electric vehicles.
Considerable progress has already been made, as a result of the work of the Low Emission Vehicle Taskforce , to ensure that conditions and policies are in place to support citizens in making greener vehicle choices. As the Deputy will be aware, a comprehensive suite of measures is available to EV drivers, including purchase grants for private car owners and taxi drivers, VRT relief, reduced tolls, home charger grants, favourable motor and BIK tax rates, as well as a comprehensive charging network. These measures have collectively contributed to increased take up of EVs in Ireland in recent years, albeit from a low base, to over 46,500 now.
In addition, my Department convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. The EVPP Working Group comprises senior officials and has considered regulatory, financial, and taxation policies to help drive a significant ramp-up in passenger EVs and electric van sales.
The recommendations of the EVPP Working Group were approved by Government and the full report is now available online.
In order to support the transition to EVs, the Group recommended that:
- The generous suite of EV supports already in place in Ireland should be retained until at least end-2022. Additional measures to further incentivise EVs and/or disincentivise fossil fuelled vehicles will also be necessary. Cost-effective, targeted policy supports should continue to be developed and strengthened over the coming years; and
- An Office for Low Emission Vehicles should be established, as a matter of priority, to co-ordinate the implementation of existing and future EV measures and infrastructure. The new Office should also take charge of developing and launching an extensive communication and engagement campaign, whole of Government in coverage, to drive the availability and understanding of key information regarding EVs, tailored to household, business and public sector consumers.
Overall, the Department is acutely aware that the cost of electric vehicles remains an issue for many consumers. To this end, electric vehicle policy is kept under continuous review to endeavour to make low emission vehicles affordable.
55. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the annual percentage increase target set per annum in the use of electric vehicles for each year between now and 2030 in order to achieve the overall figure of one million electric vehicles by 31 December 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56383/21]
View answerElectric Vehicles play a central role in our Climate Action Plan, in decarbonisation of our transport sector, and in eliminating emissions from our private car fleet.
Electrification of the vehicle fleet offers a pathway to zero tailpipe emissions, with several co-benefits such as improved air quality, reduced noise pollution, and less fossil fuel dependence.
The Climate Action Plan target is for 945,000 EVs on the road by 2030. There are currently over 46,000 EVs registered on Irish roads the pace of uptake must increase over the coming years to achieve our fleet electrification targets.
D/Transport has developed a trajectory for EV share of the fleet on a year-on-year basis to 2030, to support policy monitoring and evaluation. This is an estimated trend of EV uptake based on modelling and analysis, and suggests a scenario for EV uptake in the national fleet. The target in the CAP is for 2030 - there are not year on year targets for EV uptake and the rate of uptake may vary and not follow the modelled analysis exactly. The trajectory is a useful tool for us to understand how uptake is progressing, and whether different policy measures may need to be introduced to incentivise uptake, or indeed, whether policy measures are over-delivering.
Notwithstanding this, an increase of approximately 25,000 new registrations was estimated in 2021 with an estimated 42,540 registered EVs on Irish roads at the end of this year. This estimate has already been surpassed with currently over 45,000 EVs registered on Irish roads.
The number of new electric vehicles registered to end September 2021 is 15,855 (including BEVs and PHEVs) with EVs now representing 15.17% of total new car registrations. This is a year on year increase of 215%, and over double of the percentage share of new registrations in 2020 (7.27%) and almost four times the share of that in 2019 (3.9%).
The following table illustrates the modelled uptake of EVs in the national fleet for the CAP analysis. I should note that due to a global semiconductor shortage, the actual uptake of EVs in 2022 may be less than was orginally estimated.
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
|
|
Annual % increase |
50.8 |
46.6 |
44.3 |
43.1 |
42.2 |
39.8 |
38.2 |
37.1 |
28.4 |
Notwithstanding this shortage, which the market advises should resolve by end 2022, EV sales should further accelerate over the coming years due to a wider range of models coming onto the Irish market, a greater charging network as well as the generous incentives available.
Over time these sales will help develop the second-hand market, and we can expect that the second-hand market for EVs will develop significantly over coming years.
An Office for Low Emission Vehicles will be established, to co-ordinate the implementation of existing and future EV measures and infrastructure. The new Office will also take charge of developing and launching an extensive communication and engagement campaign, whole of Government in coverage, to drive the availability and understanding of key information regarding EVs, tailored to household, business and public sector consumers.
In support of EV adoption, a National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy is in development which will seek to prioritise the delivery of fast and rapid charge point infrastructure over the next 5 years. 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.
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.
Overall, the expedition of electric vehicles take up is a key priority. To this end, electric vehicle policy and expenditure is kept under continuous review.
57. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place to preserve the value of internal combustion engine cars coming up to the previously promoted 2030 ban on the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56385/21]
View answerPassenger cars account for over half of all land transport emissions in Ireland; therefore, a transition to low and zero emission cars is one of the necessary changes if Ireland is to substantially reduce its transport emissions. Accordingly, electric vehicles (EVs) are a prominent mitigation measure in the Climate Action Plan and Ireland has set an ambitious target of nearly one million EVs on our roads by 2030. With approximately 46,600 EVs currently in Ireland, this target is very challenging but indicative of the scale of the transformation that is needed across all sectors if Ireland is to reduce national emissions and reach its legally binding emission ceiling in future years.
A national ambition has been firmly established that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland will be zero-emission capable.
The European Commission have indicated that a complete ban of the marketing, import or registration of new ICE vehicles in a single Member State is not compatible with EU law, and an EU-wide approach is therefore required. Ireland was signatory to a non-paper to the Commission earlier this year requesting a phase-out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the EU in line with the objective of climate neutrality by 2050 as well as the introduction of a legal framework that allows Member States to move ahead by taking action at national level to incentivise early phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans. The paper can be viewed at www.permanentrepresentations.nl/permanent-representations/pr-eu-brussels/documents/publications/2021/03/10/non-paper---transition-to-zero-emission-light-duty-vehicles
In addition, on Transport Day at COP26, I signed a sponsored declaration to accelerate the transition to 100% zero emission cars and vans. The declaration is an important signal of ambition at a global level. In line with our Programme for Government commitments, Ireland has even greater ambitions, targeting a switch over of one million electric vehicles by 2030 to bring us on a trajectory to achieving electrification of all new car sales well ahead of 2035
These declarations are consistent with Ireland’s ambitions to tackle transport emissions. They follow the recent publication of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) ’21 which outlines a pathway to a radical and equitable transformation in Ireland’s transport sector over the next nine years as it moves towards decarbonisation. Car manufacturers are responding to these initiatives by introducing a wide range of electric vehicles to the market, and over the coming decade, I envisage a progressive transition to EVs in our car fleet as electric vehicle technology becomes mainstream .
58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the most expeditious, seamless and efficient process to obtain or renew a driving licence in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56402/21]
View answerThe most expeditious, seamless and efficient process to obtain or renew a driving licence is to apply online on www.NDLS.ie. To use the online system, an applicant must have a public services card and a verified MyGovID account.
The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, and I have no power to intervene in individual cases.
59. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if it is still the plan to appraise the three options on the southside of Dublin in relation to MetroLink (details supplied). [56418/21]
View answer60. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a series of matters in relation to the continuing of MetroLink on the southside of Dublin (details supplied). [56419/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together.
I think it important to set out what are two different processes currently underway both of which relate to the potential future development of metro in Dublin.
Firstly we have the MetroLink project, which is likely the largest ever public investment project in the history of the State. It faces two imminent and important milestones in the coming months - Government approval of the Preliminary Business Case and the submission of a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála.
Secondly we have the statutory review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area. The Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 stipulates that the Strategy must be reviewed every six years and this review provides an opportunity to re-examine and re-consider proposals for inclusion in the revised Strategy. The National Transport Authority (NTA), as part of its review, considered whether additional metro routes, above and beyond MetroLink, should be included in any revised Strategy .
As you are probably aware, the NTA have published the draft Strategy for public consultation and there is a six- week consultation process with the full draft Strategy document and a number of background reports (including analysis in relation to future metro options) available on the NTA’s website www.nationaltransport.ie/gda. The deadline for receipt of submissions is Friday 17th December.
Following the conclusion of the consultation process, the NTA will review and assess all of the submissions and once finalized, the Strategy will be submitted to for Ministerial approval in accordance with the legislative requirements.
Inclusion in any revised Strategy is the first step in what is a very detailed and often lengthy process to enable projects move from the strategic support, enabled by inclusion in a Transport Strategy, to being a project with a Preliminary Business Case seeking approval to enter the statutory planning process.
61. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the guidelines for protective screens in taxis that are used as a protective measure to protect drivers against Covid-19; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that drivers have failed their NCT test due to having a screen installed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56426/21]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA), as the statutory regulator for the SPSV sector under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, has published information for the SPSV industry on COVID-19 which includes guidelines in relation to the installation of temporary dividing screens. This information is available on the NTA's website.
Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred the Deputies' 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.
62. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the details of the review that has been agreed to take forward to assess potential options for supporting viable air services from Belfast to Cork and Derry to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56432/21]
View answerIn the context of supporting greater connectivity on the island of Ireland, the Irish Government has agreed ‘to take forward a review of the potential for Government support to renewed viable air routes from Cork to Belfast and Dublin to Derry, working with the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive to deliver improved connections as a priority’ as part of its commitments under New Decade New Approach agreement.
My Department is progressing this review and has engaged extensively with relevant stakeholders including relevant airports, as well as representatives from the Department for the Economy (NI). Engagement has also taken place with the Department for Transport (UK), given that civil aviation is a reserved matter and is under the remit of Westminster.
In consideration of potential supports for renewing services, my Department is taking account of previous history, prospective demand, likely costs and long-term sustainability goals, having regard to the recently launched all-island Strategic Rail Review and plans for improved road connectivity, particularly the A5, between Derry and Dublin.
This review, as well as the delivery of identified infrastructure projects to achieve greater cross border connectivity, has been on the agenda of all transport sector meetings of the North South Ministerial Council and is part of the work programme of cross-border infrastructure and investment commitments under the New Decade New Approach agreement.
While it had been hoped that this review would be complete by the end of the summer, this work was impacted by the collapse of Stobart Air on 12 June with the immediate cessation of PSO flights on the Donegal/Dublin route. Restoring this connectivity to the North-West was a priority for this Government and an accelerated procurement process was undertaken to restore services as a matter of urgency. As this process has been completed and services on the Donegal/Dublin route have re-commenced, it is now the intention that this review will be finalised by my Department and provided to me for consideration in the coming weeks.
63. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if it is the case that a number of driving testers who had their temporary contracts extended are now to be made redundant by the RSA just shy of three years' service; the number of driving testers this applies to; the reason this is the case given that there is such a backlog in driving tests; if he will reverse this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56433/21]
View answerIn order to deal with the backlog in driving tests created by Covid, the Road Safety Authority (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 have been conducting tests since July 2021. Sanction has also been granted to recruit a further 40 testers.
Procedures require approval from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for hiring of staff, and we have responded to the needs of the RSA by giving the approvals mentioned. However, the RSA is the employer of driver testers and contractual terms are a matter for the RSA.
I am aware that the 36 temporary testers rehired in 2020 are on contracts which are due to expire in December, March, and May. I am happy to say that my Department has approved a further extension of contracts for those due to expire in December and March. The RSA will conduct a review next year to see how the service is performing and to reassess its needs in light of evolving demand.
