Written Answers Nos. 216-237
216. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to the provision of a rail service to Cork city arriving in before 9:00 am considering the potential positive impact this could have for those commuting into the city. [6112/22]
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 services. The National Transport Authority (NTA) 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 question regarding the scheduling of an early morning rail service to Cork city, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
217. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his plans to install a bike share station on the Naas General Hospital campus. [6203/22]
View answerAs 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.
218. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers boarding at each train station from Dublin to Enfield, County Meath in the past three years in tabular form. [6204/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; However, I am not involved in day-to-day operations of public transport services. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question, in relation to the passenger numbers boarding at each train stations from Dublin to Enfield, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
219. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will request Iarnród Éireann to increase the number of carriages from four to six on the 06.05am Drogheda to Dublin Pearse train. [6205/22]
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 in relation to the number of carriages on the 06.05am Drogheda to Dublin Pearse train 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.
220. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will be travelling abroad for St. Patrick’s week 2022 on official visits; and if so, the location he is scheduled to visit. [6242/22]
View answerThe government is in the process of finalising the programme to mark St Patrick’s Day around the world. This will include a programme of visits by ministers that will be approved by the government early this month, and which will be made public immediately afterwards.
221. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of vehicles in the bus fleet for Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and a company (details supplied) in each of the years since 2008 to date in 2022; and the expected numbers for the coming period. [6244/22]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the procurement of the national PSO bus fleet.
The NTA acts as the purchasing body for the PSO bus/coach fleet as operated by various companies (including the State owned companies and privately owned companies) in accordance with the public service contracts entered into by those companies with the NTA.
Noting their statutory responsibility on the matter I have referred the question to the NTA for further reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
222. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent on the Dublin BusConnects project to date in each year since 2017; the breakdown of the consultancy fees, engineering and other survey costs connected with the planning stages of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6245/22]
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 BusConnects programme.
The NTA previously published details of all costs associated with BusConnects over the period 2018 to 2020 and those details are available through this link:
BusConnects-Cost-Data-2018-2020...pdf (nationaltransport.ie)
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.
223. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will request that the NTA provide an explanation for the current system on certain Dublin Bus routes whereby buses are expected to align with pre-ordained timing points at each stop on their route; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such a system essentially demands buses are driven at extremely low speeds or stop at every stop for several minutes to align with the timing required and that this is due to the fact the timing is benchmarked against expected high traffic volumes and busy passenger boarding; if his attention has also been drawn to the fact that this system designed by the NTA is not resulting in an improved public transport experience by bus users in Dublin and that the system seems to apply only to certain Dublin Bus operated routes and not to routes operated by a company (details supplied) resulting in significant fines to Dublin Bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6246/22]
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 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.
As requested by the Deputy, I am forwarding her question regarding the scheduling and timetabling system on Dublin Bus routes to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
224. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the status of the signing of a statutory instrument to allow for improvements in the regular wages scheme for CIÉ workers; and when this statutory instrument can be expected to be finalised. [6247/22]
View answerCIÉ has prepared and submitted draft Statutory Instruments (SIs) to give effect to the proposed changes to the Regular Wages Scheme (RWS). These changes involve significant amendments which are necessary to address the Minimum Funding Standard requirements under the Pensions Act. These changes have been agreed by the trustees of the Scheme, the employees and the CIÉ Group following extensive and prolonged engagement between all parties.There are a number of steps before an SI can be made, including the statutory consultation process. As such, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 44(3) of the Transport Act 1950, I directed CIÉ to publish a statutory notice of the SIs in Iris Oifigiúil, which was advertised on the 14th of January 2022. Within 45 days from the publication of this notice, any person may make objections and representations in relation to the Scheme to me. I must consider any objections or representations which have been made during this period, prior to confirming a Scheme or any amendments to such Scheme. In advance of reviewing all submissions it is not possible at this time to provide a date for finalisation; however, I would like to reassure the Deputy that my Department and I, in conjunction with advisors from NewERA, will seek to finalise the SIs as expeditiously as possible.
225. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if the current difficulties encountered by students at schools (details supplied) have been brought to his attention; if he will request his officials to engage with the National Transport Authority and other organisations to examine if the 59 and 111 bus timetables can be amended to ensure these students can access public transport in a timely and safe fashion when returning from school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6274/22]
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 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.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question, in relation to the timetabling of Go-Ahead Ireland Bus Route Nos 59 and 111 to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
226. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the length of time and the number of persons and organisations that engaged with his Department's public consultation on a review of sustainable mobility policy; the promotion of this public consultation that took place by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6279/22]
View answerA collaborative approach has been taken by my Department in developing the forthcoming Sustainable Mobility Policy through public consultation and extensive stakeholder engagement.
A roundtable forum was held in 2018 which allowed for an initial exchange of views between stakeholders on a variety of issues relevant to the sustainable mobility sector including potential challenges and competing priorities likely to arise in the future. Over 50 stakeholder organisations and individuals were invited to attend that event including representatives from passenger and consumer interests; providers of bus, rail and taxi services; providers of transport infrastructure; trade unions with members working in public transport; cyclist and pedestrian advocacy groups; disability representatives; business groups; environmental interests; local authorities; regulators; legislators; policymakers; and analysts and academics who focus on sustainable mobility.
The round table discussion informed the development of a comprehensive set of background papers across a range of themes which were then published as part of the public consultation process launched at the end of 2019. Notice of the public consultation was placed on the Government website and was also advertised through social media and newspaper advertisements. A further stakeholder engagement event was held at that time with over 40 stakeholder organisations and individuals, along with engagement with the members of the three Regional Assemblies.
Over 250 submissions across a broad range of themes were received as part of the public consultation process which ended in February 2020 from people and organisations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Following a review of the submissions received, a report of the public consultation was published on my Department’s website and since then further bilateral engagement has taken place with other Government Departments, State bodies, advocacy groups, business groups, disability representatives and academics.
Both the submissions received as part of the public consultation process and the extensive stakeholder engagement have heavily influenced the development of the new Sustainable Mobility Policy which I will publish shortly.
227. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has funded active travel measures on regional and national roads countrywide since January 2020; and if so, the location, routes, measures funded and the total funding amounts in tabular form. [6310/22]
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 operation and management 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 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.
As part of the 2020 July Jobs Stimulus Plan, over €30 million was allocated by the Department’s Regional and Local Roads Division to eligible local authorities for active travel schemes. Eligible local authorities under the Department’s programme were all local authorities excluding those in the Greater Dublin Area and the metropolitan areas of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Funding for those areas was provided by the National Transport Authority under an equivalent programme.
In addition, a number of strategic regional and local road improvement schemes which are currently under construction or have been recently completed, incorporate provision for cycle tracks and footpaths. On average in excess of 20% of the total cost of each scheme can be attributed to cycling and walking elements. The relevant schemes completed since January 2020 or currently at construction stage are the Sligo Western Distributor Road; the Sallins Bypass Scheme, Kildare; the Laytown to Bettystown Road, Meath; the Tralee Northern Relief Road, Kerry; the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road, Limerick; the Athy Southern Distributor Road, Kildare and the Shannon Crossing/Killaloe Bypass/ R494 Upgrade scheme, Clare and Tipperary.
In relation to schemes other than strategic improvement schemes, the detailed information is being prepared by my officials and a reply will issue as soon as possible.
Under the Programme for Government, €360m is allocated annually to fund the delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure across the country, much of this will be for specific stand-alone projects whilst some as mentioned above will be delivered as part of national and regional road projects. With regard to the provision of Active Travel measures on National and Regional Roads, I have asked TII and the NTA to provide this information directly to the Deputy. Should he not receive this information within 10 working days I would ask him to contact my office.
228. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if changes to public roads through widening and so on, under BusConnects, is considered as roads expenditure or public transport expenditure in relation to the two to one split in capital spending on public transport versus roads expenditure; the category under which the provision of dedicated bus lanes on other public roads is considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6331/22]
View answerFunding for dedicated bus lanes under the BusConnects programmes in the five cities is classified as public transport expenditure in the context of the Programme for Government commitments in relation to transport. Funding is also provided under the public transport investment programme for bus priority measures in other parts of the country.
Occasionally there can be some bus related interventions on national roads which are funded through the roads investment programme.
229. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if a portion of the expenditure on rural roads on which footpaths and dedicated cycle routes are developed adjacent to the road is considered to be expenditure on active travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6332/22]
View answerFunding provided for the development of footpaths and cycle tracks as part of schemes on rural roads under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme is separate to the budget for sustainable transport/active travel measures which is administered by the National Transport Authority on behalf of the Department.
230. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to develop an online driver licence app in which clients can store a virtual driving licence, learner permit and other driver cards such as a CPC card. [6344/22]
View answerThe European Commission and members states are currently assessing the introduction of an EU-wide digital driving licence, using blockchain technology, as part of the European Blockchain Service Infrastructure Project. The first meeting of the Working Group on Digital Driving Licences, established under the Committee on Driving Licences, took place on 27 October 2021.
The objective of the Working Group is to assist the Commission in drafting necessary requirements, as the introduction of a digital driving licence will require agreement on EU technical and operational procedures, as well as changes to the Driving Licence Directive (Directive 2006/126/EC), which is scheduled for review this year. The Working Group is currently examining the high-level business requirements.
231. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6446/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the Driver Test Service. 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.
232. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6447/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the Driver Test Service. 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.
233. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if he has had any engagement with Transport for Ireland on the reintroduction of the 20/X20 Bus Éireann service between Galway and Dublin given the increased demand for public transport services along this route as the return to the workplace commences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6448/22]
View answerCovid-19 has had a profound impact on the public transport sector with significant falls in passenger numbers and associated drops in fare revenues; in this context, the Bus Éireann Board, following extensive analysis and work, took the commercial decision to consolidate its Expressway network in September 2020. This decision impacted four routes including the 20/X20 Dublin/Galway service which ceased operations on 28/07/2021.
In circumstances where a commercial operator cease operating a specific route, the National Transport Authority (NTA) undertakes an examination to determine whether, with the discontinuation of the commercial service, it is necessary for a replacement PSO service to be introduced to ensure no loss of connectivity to the travelling public. This process includes an assessment of the level of demand for public transport services in the affected area, an evaluation of whether existing PSO services can be reconfigured to meet any shortfall, or whether it is necessary to competitively tender for the provision of services.
Due to the decision by Bus Éireann to cease operating the X20 route, the NTA completed a detailed assessment of the X20 corridor and have determined that despite Expressway’s withdrawal, sufficient connectivity is provided by the remaining operators and the public service obligation is adequately met by other rail and bus services, thereby negating the need for any further intervention on the route.
Given the NTA's statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, I have also forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
234. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland will investigate the issuing of toll penalties in error to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6549/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working day
235. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport the status of the N4 Mullingar to Longford project; if there is decision to delay ongoing works on this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6600/22]
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.
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 N4 Mullingar to Longford 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.
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.
236. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport the reason that certain categories such as D1 and D1E are not transferred from a UK driving licence to an Irish driving licence in relation to applications for foreign exchange driving licences. [6615/22]
View answerThere are a number of situations where a person exchanging a UK driving licence might not get all the categories on that licence transferred to the Irish licence.
Under EU law, an application for a truck or bus licence (categories C and D) must be accompanied by a completed medical report. If a person with a truck or bus category on their UK licence attends a National Driver Licence Service centre without the relevant medical report, they will be given the option to sign a form stating that they do not wish the categories to be exchanged. The applicant can request the categories be re-instated on their Irish licence by presenting a medical report.
Some UK licence categories, known as national categories, only apply in the UK and are not exchangeable. For example, UK drivers who passed the test for category B (car) before 1 January 1997 were entitled to C1 and C1E (trucks) and D1 and D1E (bus) categories. These categories are given with restrictions identified by codes. The D1 and D1E categories, with a UK restriction code 101, allow the driver to drive a bus "not for hire or reward" in the UK only. As there is no corresponding Irish category, these cannot be exchanged.
237. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the schemes under which funding is available for the development of walkways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6674/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government committed that €360 million in cross-Government funding will be spent on walking and cycling per annum over the lifetime of the Government. This investment will help support the delivery of almost 1,000 kilometres of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025 as well as additional investment in Greenways.
I believe this investment will be very beneficial to our society, our health and our environment. It will support projects across the country, in both urban and rural Ireland, as this Government looks to change the nature of transport in Ireland.
The exchequer capital funding available for Greenways and Active Travel from my Department in 2022 is €360 million. This is divided between circa €60 million for Greenways, managed by TII and €290 million for Active Travel, managed by the NTA, with the remaining money delivered directly by my Department or through other agencies. These allocations were made available through from own Department’s expanded Active Travel and Greenways programmes. The Deputy should be aware that funding for walkways may also be available through other programmes such as the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, which is the responsibility of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as well as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, both of which are the responsibility of the Department of Rural and Community Development.
