Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the processes that will have to be gone through to bring the development of the Galway city bypass M6/N6 road to construction; the projected timescale involved with each process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11776/22]
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.
Planning permission was granted by An Bord Pleanála on 6 December 2021, subject to conditions. As of today, three Judicial Reviews have been lodged. The progression of this project is dependent on the outcome of these reviews. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the current status of this project.
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.
62. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Transport the changes he plans to make to ensure those national route improvements not funded by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in 2022 will still be progressed towards construction including the N25 Waterford bypass to New Ross bypass road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12079/22]
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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status and funding of this proposed project.
Approximately €615 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 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.
63. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the plans of his Department to utilise the two-kilometre-long bus lane on the Adamstown Road that leads to a strategic development zone that has gone unused for ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11580/22]
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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including bus infrastructure.
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.
64. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if an update will be provided on the actions his Department is taking to research, promote and expand green hydrogen use in the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12133/22]
View answerThank you Deputy O’Rourke for your question. My Department is very supportive of hydrogen as a transport fuel with a potential role in decarbonising hard to abate sectors such as freight, public transport and moving forward the role it may play in decarbonising aviation and maritime.
To date, my Department has been acting as a policy advisor for any and all working groups looking at hydrogen development in Ireland such as the Hydrogen Mobility Ireland (HMI). In 2021, three double-deck hydrogen buses were procured, trialled and put into service by the NTA on Bus Éireann’s Rathoath to Dublin route. In continuing to support the hydrogen rollout, the Department established the Alternatively Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme which, while being technology-neutral, will allow applicants to apply for forty to sixty per cent of the cost differential of a new hydrogen FCEV. In Budget 2021, the Department worked with the Department of Finance to introduce hydrogen refuelling equipment into the Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme which allows applicants to claim 100% of the capital cost of eligible equipment.
The Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement was published in November 2021. The Policy Statement sets out the pathway for increasing the supply and use of renewable fuels in transport. The Policy Statement also addresses Ireland’s obligation under European directives to require increased supply of renewable fuels used in transport, such as hydrogen. As an incentive for producing renewable hydrogen, suppliers will be allowed to claim multiple credits when supplying green hydrogen onto the market.
The Department has also been working with the Department of the Taoiseach under the Shared Island initiative to progress all-island hydrogen research. On January 31, the Department published a request for tender requesting a desktop study exploring hydrogen safety regulation and how this may be established in Ireland and ensuring the interoperability of refuelling stations on the island. Once finished, this will lead to further work with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive. This in addition to research my Department is co-funding with the SEAI on looking at appropriate fuels for certain contexts in Ireland which will explore where hydrogen is best suited for use.
Finally, my Department also sits on the Interdepartmental Working Group on Hydrogen which is chaired by officials in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and actively contributes to the development of national hydrogen policy.
65. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11041/22]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority is responsible for the operation of the driving test service and the information requested is held by them. 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.
66. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if an update will be provided on his engagements with the taxi sector; the actions he is taking to support the sector; the regulatory reforms that have been introduced since the taxi protests in September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12132/22]
View answerSince the start of the pandemic I have, on three occasions, met with the Advisory Committee on Small Public Services (SPSVs), the statutory committee established under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 to advise the Minister and the NTA in relation to the SPSV sector, the most recent of which was on 25 November 2021. That meeting provided me with a valuable opportunity to get first-hand information on the issues affecting the industry and, in particular, an initial assessment of the impact that the Covid-related restrictions that had been introduced at that time were having on operators.
The Committee's membership represents a broad range of interests and stakeholders, including four positions for SPSV drivers. The Committee is the primary forum for dealing with issues affecting the sector and many of the measures taken to date have originated as recommendations from the Committee, including the extension of taxi age limits and the waiver of licence fees. At the start of the pandemic, the NTA extended the age limits for taxis and hackneys, and repeated this on three further occasions. The most recent extension ensures that standard age limits for taxis and hackneys are waived until the end of 2022,thereby ensuring no operator exits the industry simply because of the need to replace a vehicle.
During the period of the pandemic, I also met with a group of representatives of several taxi associations/unions on two occasions, and also with representatives of taxi dispatch operators in November last. Other members of Government, including the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, have also met with taxi driver representatives. On each of these occasions, we have been able to hear first-hand of the issues affecting the taxi industry.
In relation to supports for the sector, the vast majority of measures taken to support the taxi industry from the start of the pandemic, remain in place.
As many as 70% of SPSV drivers availed of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment at the height of the pandemic. The PUP was re-opened before the end of last year until 25 March to support people who lost their employment as a result of COVID public health restrictions introduced from 7 December 2021. For some people, PUP will have ended before this date as the payment rates are gradually reduced.
In addition to this, in Budget 2022, I secured funding of €6.5 million for a series of specific measures to support the sector, with a view to addressing statutory costs faced by operators which cannot be deferred. Standard licence renewal fees for SPSVs were waived in 2021 and are being waived again in 2022 at an estimated cost of €3 million. The NTA has put in place schemes to refund the Motor Tax paid by SPSV operators in the period 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022, and to waive NCT fees for the same period. Further details on these schemes are available on the NTA website. Many of the major costs faced by SPSV operators, such as insurance and dispatch operator fees, can be deferred or cancelled during a period of inactivity.
Recognising that the replacement of a vehicle is the single largest cost faced by any SPSV operator, and in view of my commitment to support the transition of the SPSV fleet towards zero/low-emission vehicles, I announced on February 4th last, the re-opening of the eSPSV Grant Scheme with a further €15 million allocated to it for 2022. The take-up rate for this Scheme was exceptionally high in 2021: almost 600 drivers successfully applied for grants, with over €11 million paid out as well as €4 million in provisional grant offers.
As the independent regulator of the sector, the NTA has been in constant contact with taxi operators, drivers and representatives throughout the pandemic via email, text messages and phone calls. In addition, the Deputy should be aware that the NTA has now started work on a new National Maximum Fare Review and is engaging with its service providers in the matter. This Review, which is undertaken on a regular basis by the NTA, assesses any changes in the market facing the taxi industry as well as changes in annual taxi operating costs. These costs include the fixed and running costs of an average taxi and labour costs. The objective of the Review is to determine whether changes need to be made to the current level of maximum fares and the NTA has confirmed that it is endeavouring to conclude the review process as quickly as possible in 2022, whilst still ensuring that all steps, including a consultation process, are appropriately completed.
67. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the details of bus stations in County Donegal that are included in the Public Transport Accessibility Programme; the type of works planned; the date for the completion of the works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11040/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, while I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, it is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of accessible public passenger transport services and infrastructure. The NTA is also managing the Public Transport Accessibility Programme to retrofit legacy facilities and services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport, including at bus stations, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
68. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he has met with Monaghan County Council regarding the omission of funding for the N2 Clontibret to the Border scheme from the National Development Plan. [11988/22]
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.
In January this year, I received an invitation from Monaghan County Council for a meeting regarding the N2 Clontibret to the Border and the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney projects, but due to diary constraints I was unable to schedule a meeting.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply to provide an update on the projects mentioned above. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
69. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will report his work to promote active travel in County Carlow [12098/22]
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, equivalent to 20% of the entire transport budget. This investment will help support the planned delivery of almost 1,000 kilometres of improved walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025 as well as additional investment in Greenways.
2021 saw the first ever major Active Travel investment programme for rural Ireland. €72.8m was allocated to 19 local authorities to support the delivery of 340 sustainable transport projects, including an allocation of €2.426m to Carlow County Council. 2022 saw this allocation increase to €2.515m.
This year has seen another increase in my Department's overall funding for cycling and walking, in line with the Government’s prioritisation of Active Travel and Greenways. As well as an allocation of €289m administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA) to Active Travel I was delighted to announce funding of €60m for investment in our Greenways. This included €60,000 for the feasibility, and pre-appraisal of the Barrow Valley Greenway in Carlow.
In addition to the increased funding for walking and cycling infrastructure, a number of smaller-scale initiatives are being progressed by my Department to support and promote efforts to increase Active Travel. The Department of Transport funds the delivery of Cycle Right training through Cycling Ireland which delivers cycling training to school children around the country. In partnership with the Department of Education we also launched the Safe Routes to School Programme last year which aims to accelerate the delivery of walking, scooting and cycling infrastructure on key access routes to schools. All schools were eligible to apply to the Programme and information was circulated from the Departments of Education and Transport to schools nationwide. By the deadline of 16th April 2021, 931 applications had been received from schools in every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June that they have been selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme, including 4 schools in Co. Carlow.
The step-change in funding committed in Budget 2022 and the introduction of numerous innovative measures to encourage Active Travel is proof of the Government's commitment to this area, and I look forward to the delivery of the numerous projects and programmes around the country.
70. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to incentivise and support the use of small and light electric vehicles, including electric bikes and electric cargo bikes, over and above heavier and more carbon intensive electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12113/22]
View answerThe use of e-bikes, including e-cargo bikes, is proving to be an increasingly popular method of travel, whether for commuting or leisure purposes, and is encouraging more people to choose to cycle.
I welcomed the announcement by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, of increased thresholds under the existing Cycle to Work Scheme as part of the 2020 July Stimulus package, as well as the expansion of the scheme to electric bikes, including e-cargo bikes. The changes to the Scheme are in line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government.
The Programme for Government also committed us to legislating for e-bikes. While e-bikes are already provided for in Irish legislation in the Road Traffic Acts, the Road Traffic and Roads Bill, which is currently before the Oireachtas, proposes to clarify the legal definitions for high-powered and low-powered e-bikes. This will act to encourage the growing cohort of e-cyclists in Ireland by giving certainty as to the legal status of their vehicle. In line with European legislation, high-powered e-bikes will be considered to be a kind of light moped or ‘L-category’ vehicle. Accordingly, they will be required to be registered, taxed and insured. Users will require a driver’s licence for L-category vehicles and the relevant rules of the road for mopeds and motorbikes will apply.
Low-powered pedal-assist e-bikes, capable of achieving speeds up to 25 km/h, will continue to be treated in the same way as pedal bicycles under law and the relevant rules of the road for bicycles will apply accordingly. As is currently the case, this type of e-bike will not require registration, taxation, or a licence.
No distinction is drawn in the Road Traffic Acts between cycles (bicycles or tricycles) used for the carriage of persons or the carriage of goods and these rules therefore apply equally to e-cargo bikes.
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 Climate Action Plan, and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 945,000 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.
Considerable progress has 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. 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 50,500 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 available online.
My Department is acutely aware that the cost of electric vehicles remains an issue for many consumers. To this end, electric vehicle policy is being kept under continuous review to endeavour to make low emission vehicles affordable.
71. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will commission a study into the impacts and benefits of moving to the provision of fare free public transport across the country, specifically its impact on transport greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12057/22]
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 the statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services and also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services by way of public transport services contracts in respect of services that are socially necessary but commercially unviable. The funding of those services comprises both the fares paid by passengers and the subvention payments from the Exchequer. The main purpose of the subvention payment is to meet the gap between income from fares and the cost of operating services.
The provision of public transport services is heavily dependent on passenger fare revenue as it normally contributes about 65% of the operational cost. The remaining 35% of cost is covered by the PSO grant and the Department of Social Protection grant under the free travel scheme.
Prior to COVID-19, €287 million of Exchequer funding was provided for PSO services in Budget 2020; however, since 2020, additional funding has been required to continue to address the significant COVID impacts on public transport provision. All PSO providers are currently in receipt of emergency support funding to compensate for fare revenue loss arising as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector, and the associated fall in passenger numbers (passenger numbers fell to below 10% of 2019 levels at the height of the restrictions in 2020 and 2021). Further, on 25/06/2020 Government approved the introduction of temporary financial supports for the licensed bus sector – commercial operators (in accordance with EU and national legislation).
In 2022, I secured €538m to support PSO services including over €200m to address COVID expenses (i.e. loss of fare revenue, cleaning costs). €9m of the €538m allocation has been provided as ongoing support for the licensed bus sector for the first three months of the year. While, over €15m has also been allocated to support Local Link regular service provision in rural Ireland.
The Government is strongly committed to helping combat the rising cost-of-living being experienced throughout the country. In this context, a suite of new measures is being introduced by Government to help with this issue, including a 20% average fare reduction on PSO services until the end of 2022. These discounted fares will benefit the hundreds of thousands of people across the country who use public transport every day. A further €54m in Exchequer funding has been secured to allow for the introduction of these discounted fares, this is in addition to the REV22 allocations. The NTA will work with the PSO public transport operators in the coming weeks to commence rolling out these fare reductions across the public transport network in late April/ early May.
Also, 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. It is envisaged that the discount will initially be made available on PSO services, and then broadened to include commercial operators at a later date. 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. The NTA has commenced work in relation to the implementation of the new fares’ structures for young adults, and this includes the application process and establishing a definitive timeline for the introduction of the Scheme.
The PSO programme represents a significant expenditure of taxpayers' money, and funding has increased in recent years to cater for additional services and growing capacity. Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the possible commissioning of a study into the impacts and benefits of moving to the provision of fare free public transport across the country, specifically its impact on transport greenhouse gas emissions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
72. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that public transport remains a major issue in rural communities given that rural dwellers are not adequately serviced by the existing transport network (details supplied). [8935/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport,
It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. It is the public transport operators, for example, Bus Éireann, that have responsibility for delivering and operating public transport services, in conjunction with the NTA.
Furthermore, the NTA has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport services in rural areas, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for a direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
74. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport further to the increased fines for parking on footpaths which his Department introduced in January 2022, if he has considered other measures to support increased enforcement. [10834/22]
View answerParking regulations are enforced by local authority traffic wardens and by An Garda Síochána. While my department consulted extensively with both bodies before taking the decision to increase the penalties for parking on a footpath, bus lane or cycle track earlier this year, I have no role in devising or implementing increased enforcement strategies and cannot answer on the responsible bodies' behalf.
The Deputy may wish to raise this matter with the local authorities and with An Garda Síochána directly.
77. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to increase transport accessibility in public transport in rural areas. [11734/22]
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 accessible public passenger transport services in conjunction with the respective service operator. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport servcies in rural areas, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
78. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the issues outlined by a representative organisation in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12064/22]
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.
The Government is strongly committed to helping combat the rising cost-of-living being experienced throughout the country. In this context, a suite of new measures is being introduced by Government to help with this issue, including a 20% average fare reduction on PSO services until the end of 2022. These discounted fares will benefit the hundreds of thousands of people across the country who use public transport every day. A further €54m in Exchequer funding has been secured to allow for the introduction of these discounted fares, this is in addition to the REV22 allocations. The NTA will work with the PSO public transport operators in the coming weeks to commence rolling out these fare reductions across the public transport network in April/May.
Also, 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. It is envisaged that the discount will initially be made available on PSO services, and then broadened to include commercial operators at a later date. 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.
Licensed bus operators are an integral part of the overall public transport system particularly in areas which are not covered by existing public service bus and rail services. In recognition of this, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the Government have provided temporary financial supports for certain licensed commercial services with a view to protecting capacity across the public transport sector throughout the crisis. To date c.€60m has been provided to support the Commercial Bus Operators during this challenging time.
As the Deputy will understand, I receive a large number of diary requests that are considered and coordinated with my private offices in both the Department of Transport and Department of Environment, Climate and Communications in a weekly joint meeting. I note that it is not always possible to respond in the affirmative to every request.
However, I would like to reassure the Deputy that both the National Transport Authority (NTA) and my Department have been engaging directly with commercial bus operators throughout the crisis to help inform policy decisions in relation to the public transport sector as we continue to deal with the impact of Covid-19.
In this context, my Department has been liaising with the Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC) since May 2020 - to date 22 meetings have taken place, and a further meeting is scheduled for 8th April 2022. I also previously met with the CTTC and I am aware of the issues facing the sector.
I hope to meet again with representatives from the CTTC to discuss the highlighted issues at a future date when my diary allows.
79. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Transport if he will carry out a study of rail fares nationally and in particular the great disparity that exists between the fares charged to daily commuters in greater Dublin and those in regional cities. [11838/22]
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 Authority's responsibility in this area, I have fowarded the Deputy's specific question, in relation to the possibility of a study of rail fares being carried out nationally, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
80. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport when funding will be made available to allow the N11/M11 improvement scheme to proceed to phase 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11732/22]
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.
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.
