Written Answers Nos. 213-225
213. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current position regarding the roll-out of fibre optic broadband to an area (details supplied) in County Dublin; the timeline for the delivery of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5723/22]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question are located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention. I appreciate peoples frustration when they are living close to a fibre network owned by a commercial operator, but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 21 January, almost 294,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway, with over 154,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that premises are connected in 11 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary and over 54,400 premises are available to order and pre-order across 21 counties. In County Dublin surveying is complete in the Deployment Area of Lusk, and main works are underway in the Deployment Area of Skerries, with almost 4,000 premises surveyed to date and over 3,600 premises under construction.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Dublin through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond. This has resulted in some changes to timeframes for connection for end users.
Given the scale and complexity of delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the NBP, I am advised that any dates provided by NBI on its website are based on the best available information at the time and may be subject to change. NBI has recently published details of its full deployment schedule on its website, www.nbi.ie, which enables all premises within the intervention area to have an anticipated service activation date range.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 21 January, 454 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s are installed at Newbridge House & Farm (approx. 3.6km from the premises referred to), Man O War GAA Club, Stars of Erin GAA / Dublin Mountain Community Centre, Tyrrelstown Community Centre, Fingal Ravens GAA Club, Glenasmole Community Centre, Applewood Community Centre, Fingal Liam Rodgers Centre and Luttrellstown Community Centre. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Balscadden National School has been installed by NBI for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
214. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport the status of the M20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5739/22]
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 on the status of this project.
The N/M20 road corridor options are currently being progressed by TII, in conjunction with the relevant local authorities, with rail-based options also being considered. It is expected that a preferred option will be selected around March 2022. This will then be subject to a public consultation.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
215. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if the allocation in Budget 2022 to provide reduced fares for 19 to 23 year olds is intended to provide for reduced fares on commercial public service obligation operators and commercial non-public service obligation operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5529/22]
View answerIn recognition of the importance of incentivising young people to use public transport, as part of Budget 2022 I was delighted to secure €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a young adult card (YAC). The YAC will allow any person nationwide who is between 19 and 23 years old, to avail of discounted travel costs, and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student rates 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 car transport with the associated benefit of transport emission savings.
For PSO services, it is likely the YAC will be supported through the existing Leap card platform; delivery mechanisms to deploy the YAC on commercial public transport services are less straightforward. The National Transport Authority (NTA), who has statutory responsibility for fare regulation, has commenced work in relation to the implementation of the new fares’ structures for young adults, and this includes examining how to integrate private operators into the scheme and the estimated cost for this.
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
216. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority considers employee pay and conditions as a part of the process of awarding tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5530/22]
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 regarding the criteria applied when awarding tenders for 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.
217. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the number of the 41 new rail carriages under construction to be delivered in 2022 that will be allocated to the Athlone to Galway service given the allocation of €3 million to provide a passing loop at Oranmore railway station under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5533/22]
View answerThe Deputy is right to highlight the very positive news in relation to the construction works planned at Oranmore station. These works will see an additional platform constructed, as well as the passing loop referred to by the Deputy and other ancillary works. I would note however that the total estimated cost of the project is circa €12million, of which circa €3million is being provided by my Department through the National Transport Authority.
I am also particularly pleased that Galway County Council has also secured funding to prepare a masterplan for the area's future development which could ultimately house over 1,000 residential units. This type of integrated, transport-led development is much needed across the country and I commend both Galway County Council and Iarnród Éireann for their collaboration on the project.
In relation to the 41 rail carriages currently under construction, I understand those carriages will start to arrive in Ireland later this year but will not be ready to enter into service until 2023. The subsequent deployment of the new carriages will be a matter for Iarnród Éireann. In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
218. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Irish Rail and Transport Infrastructure Ireland in respect of expanding the TFI 90 fare structure to include Sallins and Kilcock, County Kildare and Greystones, County Wicklow; and the rationale and or business case for not including the towns in the first instance in view of the fact that they are home to thousands of rail users (details supplied). [5544/22]
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 operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts, this includes the administration and boundary criteria for the 90-minute fares scheme.
As such, I have referred 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.
219. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the number of times a contracted operator (details supplied) of the 17A and 220 bus routes has received financial penalties from the National Transport Authority for non-performance of contract, disaggregated by description of the particular category of non-performance associated in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5547/22]
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 operations of public transport.
The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the individual transport operators. 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.
220. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) along with other public servants in the same organisation was put on short time during the Covid-19 pandemic. [5581/22]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for this question. Shannon Commercial Properties is a subsidiary of Shannon Group, and as this is an operational matter of the Company concerned, I have forwarded your question to Shannon Group for direct response. If you do not receive a response within ten days please contact my office.
221. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport when the NDLS centre in Ennis, County Clare will fully reopen to the public without necessary appointments following the recent easing of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5614/22]
View answerAll enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from the Authority in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.
222. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a series of matters in relation to driver tests will be addressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5648/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the Driver Test and Theory Test Services. The information requested is held by the RSA. I have therefore referred this question 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.
223. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if there is a process by which a person or employer can apply to have an electric car charging point installed in a public area or a workplace car park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5649/22]
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 due for publication in the coming months which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030. Preparations are also underway to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles. This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles including managing the delivery of EV charging infrastructure across the country.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. There are a number of incentives currently available to both private individuals, public sector organisations and businesses to support the installation of vehicle charging infrastructure. The national charging infrastructure strategy will review and, where appropriate, supplement and enhance these schemes, but I outline the incentives currently available below, for your information.
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. 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.
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.
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
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.
€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 esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.
In addition, as part of the national charging infrastructure strategy, a destination charge point scheme is being developed by my Department which will provide funding for electric vehicle charging facilities at commonly accessed destinations. In this regard, I am minded to allow certain key publicly owned facilities at which members of the public access state services to apply for funding under this scheme to help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
224. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding NCT certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5650/22]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Test (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the question 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.
However, I wish to clarify to the Deputy that the Road Traffic (National Car Test) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 amended the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415 of 2017) to provide for a 4-month extension to test due dates for eligible vehicles in direct response to the temporary suspension of the NCT services on 28 March 2020. No customer with an eligible vehicle received less than their statutory entitlement with respect to test due dates.
225. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the details of his proposals to provide bike carrying capacity on buses, particularly in rural Ireland on services such as LocalLink and PSO routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5660/22]
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 procurement of the national bus fleet.
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.
