Written Answers Nos. 245-268
245. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if assistance is available to nursing homes such as a nursing home (details supplied) for green renewable energy or solar improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5103/22]
View answerThe pending introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff represents the first phase of a comprehensive enabling framework for micro-and small-scale generators in Ireland that will allow them to receive payment from their electricity supplier for all excess renewable electricity they export to the grid, which reflects the market value of the electricity. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision on 1 December 2021 outlining the interim arrangements for implementation of the CEG, which will become available upon the transposition of Article 21 of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) into Irish law for micro- and small-scale generators who comply with the CRU decision.
Businesses that use a large amount of electricity, like a nursing home, will benefit most when they consume electricity on site from their own micro-generation. The financial business case for micro-generation for these high electricity users is already strong.
The second phase of the enabling framework is the Micro-generation Support Scheme (MSS) which was approved by Government on 21 December 2021 and will open on a phased basis in 2022. Under the MSS, homes, farms, businesses, and community organisations generating up to 6.0kW will be eligible for a Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant at the same levels as domestic customers (max €2,400), in addition to the CEG. This grant will become available later in 2022.
Solar PV is also one of a range of measures funded under the SEAI Communities Energy Grant Scheme which makes grant funding available to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock and is open to domestic and non-domestic applications.
The Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) is a government funded initiative designed to increase the energy generated from renewable sources in the heat sector whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The scheme is open to commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic heat users and is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SSRH provides an operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems and an installation grant for renewable heating systems using heat pumps.
246. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will legislate to make illegal littering and dumping an offence under the Road Traffic Acts in order to allow gardaí impose penalty points on individuals who use their vehicles for such offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4900/22]
View answerThe penalty points system was introduced, in 2002, with the specific aim of targeting and discouraging dangerous driving behaviour. Penalty points are applied to offences under the Road Traffic Acts which involve moving traffic. The system does not apply to other road traffic offences, such as parking offences, with the sole exception of dangerous parking. Penalty points are applied to this offence specifically because a dangerously parked vehicle could pose a danger to moving traffic.
Various proposals have been made over the years to apply the penalty points system to non-road-traffic offences, including illegal dumping. It would be inappropriate to use the penalty points system for matters unrelated to road safety, and for that reason no such proposed extensions of the system have been entertained.
Penalties for littering and Illegal dumping are provided for in the appropriate legislation.
247. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the pilot scheme proposed in the programme for Government to examine the potential for ride sharing apps to improve rural connectivity. [5149/22]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to be aware that a pilot to examine the potential for ride-hailing services to improve rural connectivity will be established as part of Action 91 of Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025. This action will be progressed after the COVID-19 pandemic has abated.
248. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the list of applications being considered by his Department relative to new roads infrastructure in counties Carlow and Kilkenny; the stage each application is at in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4277/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code 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.
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 initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The primary focus for capital investment under the regional and local road grant programme continues to be the maintenance and renewal of the regional and local road network, targeted safety/minor schemes together with the implementation of a number of the larger regional and local road projects under the Strategic Grant category which were included in the original National Development Plan and which are now at construction stage. Some limited provision is being made in the capital budget for the appraisal of a pipeline of upgrade projects. This is intended to cover the appraisal of projects for future development, if possible.
Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding 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 my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework.
The revised Public Spending Code requires a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for all projects with an estimated expenditure of €10 million or more. The SAR is now a key deliverable at the first decision stage in the project appraisal process. Following the completion of a SAR by Carlow County Council concerning options in relation to a potential Southern Relief Road, the Council has recently been given clearance to proceed to prepare a Preliminary Business Case.
As regards Kilkenny, there has been some engagement between Kilkenny County Council and my Department in relation to a proposed Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension. The Department advised the Council, early in 2021, of the Public Spending Code project appraisal requirements for any proposed transport scheme, including the need for the preparation of a SAR. There has not been any further contact from the Council regarding this proposed scheme.
249. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be allocated for the N24 in County Kilkenny given that the N24 Waterford to Cahir project had been mentioned in the National Development Plan – Project Ireland 2040; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4278/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 and the necessary statutory approvals.
Approximately €600m of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2022. The 2022 funding allocations are made having regard for the NDP, which balances investment in transport against other priorities of Government, such as housing and health over the lifetime of the Plan. It was necessary to prioritise projects for funding in a manner which seeks to achieve key outcomes in line with the NDP. Resulting from this, while a large majority of the projects under the NDP were issued a funding allocation in 2022, TII were unable to provide an allocation for the N24 Waterford to Cahir project. The delivery programme for this project will be kept under review for next year and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
However, funding was allocated to a number of other schemes on the N24 in County Kilkenny. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status of funding for these improvements.
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.
250. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland has plans to improve safety along the N25 under the Waterford to Glenmore road scheme in County Kilkenny; the current position of his Department and Transport Infrastructure Ireland on the Waterford to Glenmore road scheme; if funding has been allocated for the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4279/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 and the necessary statutory approvals.
Approximately €600m of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2022. The 2022 funding allocations are made having regard for the NDP, which balances investment in transport against other priorities of Government, such as housing and health over the lifetime of the Plan. It was necessary to prioritise projects for funding in a manner which seeks to achieve key outcomes in line with the NDP. Resulting from this, while a large majority of the projects under the NDP were issued a funding allocation in 2022, TII were unable to provide an allocation for the N25 Waterford to Glenmore project. The delivery programme for this project will be kept under review for next year and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
However, funding was allocated to a number of other schemes on the N25. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status of funding for these improvements.
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.
251. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport when he will publish the results regarding the impact of speed and speed limits on greenhouse gases and pollutants and proposals to address them as set out in the climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4326/22]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan of 2022 contains an Action (No. 251 in the Annex of Actions) to publish a report on the impact of speed and speed limits on greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants. This report, which is being prepared by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, will include results on the impact of speed limits on climate emissions. It will also identify regulatory barriers and proposals aimed at addressing them. This report is scheduled to be published in the first quarter of 2022.
252. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if the review of the community car scheme is currently under way to consider expansion of the scheme as set out in the climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4327/22]
View answerAs 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 management and operational aspects of public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme, operating under the TFI Local Link brand.
I am advised that the NTA is currently in the process of reviewing the pilot Community Car Scheme, with the view to completing the review by the end of Quarter 1 of this year.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this regard, 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.
253. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport when the implementation of the park and ride strategy will commence for the greater Dublin area due in the first quarter of 2022 as set out in the climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4328/22]
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 park and ride facilities.
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.
254. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a list of all refused applications by Cork City Council for an active travel funding 2022 allocation. [4332/22]
View answer255. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport the status of the introduction of a new flexi taxsaver travel ticket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4345/22]
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. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts
In light of the impact of Covid on commuter travelling patterns, with a potential move away from a regular 5-day commute, the NTA is evaluating the possibility of a new flexi taxsaver commuter ticket. My Department has held discussions with the NTA and also with the Department of Finance on this issue. The NTA is proceeding with the detailed technical work associated with the introduction of a more flexible Taxsaver product.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, 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.
256. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the status of the youth public discount card scheme announced in budget 2022; the criteria and the application process involved for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4354/22]
View answer260. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the introduction of half-price travel on public transport for persons under 24 years of age as announced in budget 2022; when half-price travel on public transport will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4482/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 260 together.
In recognition of the importance of incentivising young people to use public transport, as part of Budget 2022 I secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a young adult card (YAC) which will allow any person nationwide who is between 19 and 23 years old, to avail of an entitlement for discounted travel costs, and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount to an average of discount of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services. This will not only promote modal shift in the transport sector among this age group but should also contribute towards a reduced reliance on private transport with associated benefit of transport emission savings.
While 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 decision making on fares; the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility in this regard. In light of this, the NTA has commenced work in relation to the implementation of the new fares’ structures for young adults, and this includes examining criteria and the application process. 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
257. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter regarding a bus service (details supplied) in County Kildare. [4412/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the operations of public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for decisions in relation to the routes of those services.
I have, therefore, 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.
258. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the criteria used to determine the suitability of a project for active travel funding. [4413/22]
View answer259. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if general allocations, for example, for walking infrastructure, under active travel funding are distributed by local authorities or specified at the time of application.. [4414/22]
View answer261. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting for a driver theory test and a driver test by county for the past two years to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4519/22]
View answerThe national driving test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by the Authority. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
262. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport the number of traffic light pedestrian crossings without audio signal technology in Ireland. [4571/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.
The subject of traffic light pedestrian crossings without audio signal technology is a matter for the relevant local authorities. It does not fall under the remit of the Department of Transport.
263. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric vehicle charging points available in County Westmeath; the location of each; his plans to increase the number of charging points to reflect the local population hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4734/22]
View answerThe 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 infrastucture strategy is being developed which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030. My Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders to inform this work and it is envisaged that the strategy will be published for consultation in early 2022.
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 supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme continues to be available during 2022 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 is reviewing the Scheme at present to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.
The Department is working closely with a number of key stakeholders, including Local Government, to ensure electric vehicle charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand. This includes developing appropriate guidance for local authorities in line with the Programme for Government which will ensure we can continue to expand our national charging network through the supports for on street chargers.
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.
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB. 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
The project is due to be completed in 2022.
Further details on ESB charge points nationwide can be found at esb.ie/ecars/charge-point-map.
In light of the ESB eCars responsibility in the matter of the provision of charge points, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the ESB for direct response. Please contact my Office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
264. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Transport the reason that no funding was allocated for works on the N24 and N25 roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4735/22]
View answer266. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Kilkenny County Council has not been provided with any extra funding to deliver the N24 and N25 which will provide economic and infrastructural benefits for the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4753/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 266 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status and funding of this proposed project.
Approximately €600 million of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2022. The 2022 funding allocations are made having regard for the NDP, which balances investment in transport against other priorities of Government, such as housing and health over the lifetime of the Plan. It was necessary to prioritise projects for funding in a manner which seeks to achieve key outcomes in line with the NDP. Resulting from this, while a large majority of the projects under the NDP were issued a funding allocation in 2022, TII were unable to provide an allocation for the N24 Waterford to Cahir and N25 Waterford to Glenmore projects. The delivery programme for these projects will be kept under review for next year and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
However, funding was allocated to a number of other schemes on the N24 and N25. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status of funding for these improvements.
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.
265. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 193 of 19 January 2022, if he will give further consideration to addressing issues at national test centres (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4749/22]
View answerAs indicated in the previous answer to which the Deputy refers, even before Covid not all driver testing centres offered facilities to persons choosing to accompany test candidates.
In the interests of public health, since reopening the driver testing service, the RSA has restricted access to those centres which previously offered waiting rooms and toilet facilities. As the statutory body responsible for the operation of the driver testing service, it is a matter for the RSA to determine, in light of evolving public health guidance, when those facilities might safely be made available again.
On the matter of the details supplied, I am advised that section 12 of the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 relates to duties of employers to those who are not their employees but who work in workplaces under the control of those employers.
In the circumstances cited, this is not the case. Driving instructors are neither employed by my department nor the RSA. Nor does their work require them to be in test centres.
267. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a list of Acts or sections or other provisions of Acts for which a commencement order has yet to be signed in his Department; the reason for the delay; when commencement orders will be signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4770/22]
View answer268. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated yearly carbon emissions reduction savings as modelled by his Department by increasing the number of persons using public transport as opposed to private cars by 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4794/22]
View answerMy Department has engaged in rigorous analytical work since early 2021 to prepare the transport abatement measures in CAP21. Key to this is a radical shift to sustainable mobility. This includes a 2025 target metric of 125,000 additional public transport and active travel journeys per day, increasing to 500,000 by 2030. Achieving this target, along with reducing ICE car kilometres by 10%, is estimated to deliver c. 1.4 MtCO2eq. abatement.
The increased number of daily sustainable journeys will be achieved by ramping up investment to provide more attractive active travel and public transport options to promote modal shift away from car dependence. In addition, the reduced use of fossil-fueled cars over that time will be achieved through various demand management and behavioural change measures. Daily journeys on public transport are estimated to increase from 12% to 21% by 2030. My Department will also continue to review and refine measures to deliver additional abatement in a fair and equitable manner.
However, the modelling used for CAP21 transport measures does not estimate the carbon emissions in the manner the Deputy has requested. There are any number of variables at play in estimating carbon impacts from modal shift including journey distance, profile of car use, urban or rural journey location amongst other factors.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the NTA to provide a direct update on what analysis the model can provide in terms of modal shift and carbon reduction impacts. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
