Written Answers Nos. 181-200
181. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driver licence renewal application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12615/22]
View answerEnquires 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. My department does not have access to individual applications.
182. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport the specific funding that is being made available by his Department to local authorities along the EuroVelo Atlantic coast cycling route; the funding that has been drawn down by Mayo County Council under such schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12652/22]
View answerMy department has no specific funding streams available for the EuroVelo1 - Atlantic Coast Route. However on a case-by-case basis Local Authorities have sought support for the installation of directional signs along the route. Mayo County Council have not sought nor received any EuroVelo1 Route specific funding from my Department.
I am pleased to state that the entire route will be fully signposted very shortly and that Fáilte Ireland and Sport Ireland are working with my Department to develop a website that will promote and market the route later in the year when it is fully signed. As part of that work, funding requirements may emerge to support marketing and similar works and should that be the case then it will be examined.
183. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport if a person who is entitled to free transport in Ireland is eligible to avail of similar type schemes in the European Union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12661/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters.
The Irish Free Travel Scheme is a non-statutory scheme administered by the Department of Social Protection. The scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme including services provided by companies such as Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators.
I understand some other EU member states operate similar schemes but the person would need to contact the relevant authorities in the jurisdiction concerned in order to ascertain their eligibility for any free travel schemes in operation in that jurisdiction.
184. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will address the matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); his engagements with Transport Infrastructure Ireland on this issue; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12695/22]
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 MetroLink.
The NTA works in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in relation to the planning and development of light rail projects, and is the approving Authority for MetroLink, as per the requirements under the Public Spending Code.
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.
185. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of bids received for the most recent driver licence service contract; the value of the contract; if the number of offices available to run the service was considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12909/22]
View answerThis is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), which provides the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has received a response in 10 working days, I would ask that he contact my office directly.
186. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the modelling used to develop the Connecting Ireland rural transport plan; the number of scenarios that were examined in preparation of the plan; the range of investment needed for each scenario and the frequency and coverage each would deliver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12910/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. 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.
The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan is a major national public transport initiative developed by the NTA with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns. It will significantly increase both the number of routes and the frequency of existing services right across the country.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the development of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, 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.
187. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the way he intends to accelerate the roll-out of electric vehicle charging points; the estimated number of EV public and on-street charging points to be delivered by the end of 2022; the number of public and on-street electric vehicle charging points per county to date; and if he will identify the month for publication of the national charging infrastructure strategy. [12935/22]
View answer189. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the progress made by the ESB on the roll-out of high-power electric vehicle chargers and fast chargers; the funding that has been provided to date to support this roll-out; and if he will provide a breakdown of charging points available in each county and future plans to expand high power charging infrastructure throughout the country. [12938/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 189 together.
The 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 infrastructure strategy is due for publication at the end of this month which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2025.
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.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Charging at home is the most convenient and cheapest way to recharge. Targeting the installation of smart home chargers is a priority as we look to moving towards more energy efficient and sustainable ways to charge. 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 shortly.
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.
€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 - Seventeen high-power chargers distributed across 14 multi-vehicle hubs have been delivered as part of the programme to date.
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers - This work is completed at 36 locations.
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points - This work is substantially complete. 258 of the chargers have now been successfully replaced.
Further details on the progression of this project can be found at esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.
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. A package of supports including a revamped scheme is expected to launch alongside the Infrastructure Strategy.
Thirteen local authorities have been in touch with SEAI in relation to the Public Points Scheme. To date, letters of offer have issued to Louth County Council and Dublin City Council in 2021 to install a total of 29 charge points within their administrative areas.
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.
My Department is also developing a new scheme which will support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as visitor centres and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
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.
188. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the number of successful applicants in receipt of the electric vehicle home charger grant scheme from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland; the average processing time for each successful application; and when this scheme will be made available for homeowners who reside in apartments. [12936/22]
View answerHaving an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Charging at home is the most convenient and cheapest way to recharge. Targeting the installation of smart home chargers is a priority as we look to moving towards more energy efficient and sustainable ways to charge. 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.
Since the EV Home Charger programme began making grant payments in 2018, SEAI has paid out a total of 16,000 Home Charger grants. Before the SEAI scheme began, ESB ECars provided free home chargers. It takes an average of 3-4 days to approve an initial grant application. An applicant then has up to 6 months to complete the installation and submit the paper work required to claim and request for the payment of the grant.
Based on an analysis of 2021 payments, it takes an average of 41 calendar days to make a home charger grant payment once all paper work to support the claim have been made to SEAI.
190. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport his plans to introduce greenway and cycling wardens to greenways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12943/22]
View answerI currently have no plans to introduce wardens on Greenways and it is unclear what the purpose of them would be. I understand that my department has not been asked by any Local Authority for approval or funding to do so.
The maintenance and management of Greenways is a matter for the Local Authority concerned. The appointment of Local Authority staff for specific purposes would be a matter for the Local Authority and not one in which I would have a role.
191. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Transport the number and length of time of persons are waiting for a driving test in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12970/22]
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.
192. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driver licence renewal in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13018/22]
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. My Department does not have access to individual applications.
193. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has reviewed the position on the transferability of taxi plates in view of the changed circumstances for many drivers as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13026/22]
View answerThe transfer of licences for Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs) is, at present, prohibited under section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. In the case of the death of a licence holder, however, Section 15 of the same Act applies special provisions. In such circumstances, a SPSV licence may continue to be operated by a person who was nominated by the licence holder in advance of his or her death. The current licensing regime is built on the principle that a licence should have no monetary value or be traded on the open market and should simply indicate a person’s suitability to carry out the role of taxi operator.
The regulation of the SPSV industry is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. In this regard, I can inform the Deputy that, in line with its functions under this Act, the NTA has requested the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles to conduct a review of the issue of licence transferability. It is expected that the Advisory Committee will submit a report and recommendations on this issue to the NTA in the next month or so. Whilst the Committee’s report and any resulting recommendations by the NTA to the Minister will need to be considered carefully, at this point it is not considered that there are any market or public interest reasons for making large-scale or fundamental changes to the current policy and legislative position.
194. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the status of the work of the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles; the dates it met in 2021 and to date in 2022; the number of vacancies currently on the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13027/22]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that the Advisory Committee on Small Public Services (SPSVs), is a statutory committee established under section 72 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 to advise the Minister and the National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to the SPSV sector.
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 support the taxi industry during the pandemic have originated as recommendations from the Committee, including the extension of taxi age limits and the waiver of licence fees.
There are currently two vacancies on the Committee. The NTA, on behalf of the Minister, is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill both positions. In this regard, consideration is being given to filling one vacancy with a Dublin-based SPSV driver who could act as an additional SPSV/driver interests representative, and also assist in ensuring geographical balance among the SPSV representatives on the Committee, given the large number of Dublin-based SPSV licensees. A person who could effectively represent limousine operators nationwide is being sought for the second vacancy. The terms of office of a number of other Committee members are due to expire this year and the filling of those vacancies is currently being considered.
The Advisory Committee on SPSVs meets on a monthly basis. It has been holding its meetings online since the pandemic started, in line with public health advice. Meetings in 2021 took place as follows: 28 January, 25 February, 25 March, 29 April, 27 May, 24 June, 29 July, 30 September, 28 October and 25 November. In regard to 2022 to date, meetings have been held on 27 January and 24 February. Minutes of the meetings can be found on the NTA website, at https://www.nationaltransport.ie/about-us/advisory-committee-on-spsvs/
195. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of protected disclosures received by his Department in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if an external contractor has been engaged regarding a protected disclosure over that time period; if so, the cost of same; and the number of protected disclosures that were rejected, accepted and that remain under review for the time period in question. [13062/22]
View answerThe number of allegations received by my department which invoked the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022 are set out in the table below. The table indicates the total number of allegations received, the number of these which were found, following assessment, not to be deemed a protected disclosure and the number investigated or under investigation. As requested by the Deputy, it also contains details of the number and cost of external contractors engaged regarding a protected disclosure.
|
Year |
No. of potential protected disclosures received |
No. not deemed to be a protected disclosure |
No. concluded |
No. in progress |
No that involved external contractor |
Cost of external contractors |
|
2019 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
2020 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
€973.35 |
|
2021 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
2022 |
1 |
Under consideration |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0
|
196. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if the German equivalent of the Marine Survey Office was in breach of European Union maritime safety regulations when it issued ongoing valid sailing permits for a former German beam trawler (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13085/22]
View answerI have sympathy for the situation in which the owner of the MFV Mary Kate finds himself. However, I wish to advise that any questions regarding European maritime safety regulations and another European Member State would be a matter for the European Commission to consider.
197. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if persons aged 70 years of age or over are still entitled to renew their driving licence free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13086/22]
View answerI can confirm that there is no charge for a driving licence issued to a person aged 70 or over.
198. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the number of antisocial incidents on Dublin Bus by individual bus routes and by month in each of the past two years that did not result in bus curtailment in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13115/22]
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 operation of public transport.
The issue raised by the Deputy regarding the number of antisocial behaviour incidents on Dublin Bus by individual bus routes is an operational matter for Dublin Bus and I have therefore 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.
199. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Finance the annual expenditure from the Revenue Commissioners towards additional healthcare expenses for a child from 2017-2021; the average annual relief claimed for child oncology patients in tabular form. [12899/22]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the cost of relief from income tax in respect of health expenses, for years up to 2018, the most recent tax year for which data are currently available, can be found in Revenue’s Costs of Tax Expenditures report, which is published at http://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/costs-expenditures.aspx. The information for 2019 will be available at the same link in the coming weeks. The information for years 2020 and 2021 is not yet available.
I am further advised that, as taxpayers are not required to provide a detailed breakdown of health expenses on their tax returns, it is not possible to provide the specific information requested by the Deputy in relation to relief for child oncology expenses.
For the convenience of the Deputy, the following table sets out the relevant tax costs for 2017 and 2018 for health expenses, as data for 2019, 2020 and 2021 are not yet available.
|
- |
2017 |
2018 |
|
|
€ millions Numbers |
€ millions Numbers |
|
Health Expenses (Excluding Nursing Homes) |
141.4 482,200 |
155.5 522,800 |
|
Health Expenses (Nursing Homes Only) |
31 7,100 |
34.7 7,700 |
200. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Finance if it is illegal for energy providers to charge both carbon tax and VAT on energy bills given that this amounts to a double taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12339/22]
View answerVAT is governed by the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. Article 78 of the VAT Directive provides that the taxable amount shall include “taxes, duties, levies and charges, excluding the VAT itself”. The amount on which VAT is chargeable, in accordance with section 37(1) of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010, is the total consideration receivable by the supplier, “including all taxes, commissions, costs and charges whatsoever” but not including the VAT itself.
In this respect, in the case of an energy bill, which includes carbon tax, VAT law dictates that VAT should be calculated on the carbon tax element of the bill as well as the charge for the service. Similarly, where an electricity bill includes the PSO levy, VAT is charged on the full amount of the charge to the customer, which includes the PSO levy. The same situation applies in the case of other excises, including for example excises on petrol, auto-diesel, tobacco and alcohol products, where the VAT charged on these goods is also charged on the excise value.
