Thursday, 31 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 208-218

Bus Services

Questions (208)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

208. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the proportion of public transport expenditure that is currently spent on overnight or 24-hour bus services. [17217/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As 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. In addition, since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the NTA. The allocations to the companies are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.

In light of the Authority’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the proportion of public transport expenditure which is currently spent on overnight or 24 hour bus services. to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Rail Network

Questions (209)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

209. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of extending a rail corridor from Galway to Letterkenny, County Donegal. [17218/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

There is no proposal within the National Development Plan to extend the rail line north of Claremorris to Letterkenny and, as such, there are no detailed cost estimates available.

However, regional rail connectivity, including to the North-West, is one of the key issues for consideration as part of the All Island Strategic Rail Review, the report of which is due in Quarter 4 this year. The provision of rail to the North-West will be considered in this context.

Vehicle Registration Tax

Questions (210)

Niall Collins

Question:

210. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he will advise on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17249/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC) issued by my Department, otherwise known as a log book, is the official ownership document of a vehicle in Ireland. It is issued when a vehicle is registered in Ireland and when payment of the initial motor tax has been completed (for both new and imported vehicles) and upon each change of ownership (other than to a motor dealer) thereafter.

The VRC document is not proof that a vehicle ownership transaction has taken place between parties or the correct vehicle registration tax has been paid on the vehicle. The addition of a tearaway piece from the VRC to be transferred to the new owner as proof of purchase would have no legal basis as proof of transfer of ownership of a vehicle as it would not include cost paid or date of transaction details.

The proper procedure for proof of ownership of a vehicle requires a receipt or invoice from whom and when you bought the vehicle. Where a private purchase is completed the buyer should request some sort of written agreement detailing the date of sale, the amount you paid and the method of payment to the seller.

Rail Network

Questions (211)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

211. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will contact Irish Rail and request one last public in-person consultation in relation to the closing of the level crossing in Dublin West to facilitate the DART+ project. [17252/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy may be aware, the DART+ West project has been the subject of two public consultation processes in the last 19 months.

I understand Iarnród Éireann (IÉ), in consultation with the National Transport Authority, is currently consulting further on elements of this project. Noting its role in this matter, I am referring the Deputy's question to IÉ for it's consideration and direct response.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Cycling Facilities

Questions (212)

Gerald Nash

Question:

212. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his views on a policy matter concerning the provision of free bicycle parking spaces at Iarnród Éireann stations (details supplied); his further views on whether private, for-payment bicycle lockers may take preference over free bicycle racks at some stations; if he is in agreement that all stations that currently have private locking facilities should also have access to free bicycle racks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17312/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As 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 is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and therefore 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Haulage Industry

Questions (213)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

213. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if he will extend the recently announced Government supports for the haulage sector to unlicensed hauliers, as per the recent Irish Concrete Federation’s letter to him considering that currently only licensed hauliers are eligible for the recently announced Government support measures and the existing diesel rebate scheme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that notwithstanding the fact that some Irish Concrete Federation members have haulage licences and are eligible for support, unlike the hire for reward hauliers, a licence is not required by own account operators and that the recent increases in fuel are equally borne by both licensed and unlicensed hauliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17344/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

All road haulage operations for hire or reward are subject to licensing regulations, and in fact unlicensed haulage is an offence under legislation. Any operator who is exempt from the licensing regulations due to the nature of their work – for example, an own account operator – is, by definition, not a haulier.

On 15 March 2022, the Government approved an emergency support measure – the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme to address cost pressures arising from current high fuel prices. I can confirm that the scheme is available only to operators holding a road haulage operator licence.

In deciding on this targeted, temporary scheme, the Government considered that the licensed haulage sector is a specific case for several reasons, primarily that the sector is of national strategic importance as a critical enabler of a functioning supply chain, bringing essential supplies into and around the State, supporting key infrastructure and enabling the maintenance of economic and social activity. While this is true for certain other operators also, fuel represents a greater overall proportion of overhead cost for hauliers than would be the case for other businesses who self-provide transport as part of their wider business.

Given the rapid increase in fuel prices linked to the crisis in Ukraine, the haulage sector reported to the Government a serious risk of cessation of business among haulage companies that would have had significant implications for supply chains into the State, including for essential goods.

You will be aware that on 9 March 2022, in recognition of rising fuel costs for all citizens and businesses, the Government reduced Excise duty by 20 cent per litre of petrol, 15 cent per litre of diesel and 2 cent in the excise duty charged on marked gas oil in order to reduce the cost of fuels.

The Minister for Finance has written to the European Commission to ask what flexibilities might be available on an emergency basis to reduce the tax on fuel. Currently, however, the EU Energy Tax Directive limits the possibility of further reducing the tax on fuel. Specifically, the Directive requires a minimum tax of €0.33 per litre and the measures already decided have reduced the tax on diesel to the minimum.

In general, however, it should be noted that the causes of these fuel price pressures are not within the control of Government and are being directly influenced by external factors, including the Ukraine crisis.

The Government has limited resources but through the Excise measure announced on 9 March, as well as the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme approved on 15 March 2022, it has responded to help to ease the impact of these price increases. However, we must accept that it will not be possible to insulate citizens and businesses from the full impact of these fuel price increases.

Gender Equality

Questions (214)

Holly Cairns

Question:

214. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to identify and address gender pay disparity in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17368/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 has introduced the legislative basis for gender pay gap reporting and I understand from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth that regulations under the Act will be published in the coming weeks. The regulations will require organisations with over 250 employees to report on their gender pay gap in 2022.

As will be provided for in the legislation, my Department will choose a ‘snapshot’ date of their employees in June 2022 and will report on the hourly gender pay gap for those employees on the same date in December 2022. My Department will include in its report:

- The mean and median hourly wage gap, the former reflecting the entire pay range in an organisation and the latter excluding the impact of unusually high earners.

- Data on bonus pay.

- The mean and median pay gaps for part-time employees and for employees on temporary contracts.

- The proportions of male and female employees in the lower, lower middle, upper middle and upper quartile pay bands.

My Department will also prepare and publish a statement setting out, in our opinion, the reasons for the gender pay gap in the Department and what measures are being taken or proposed to be taken by the Department to eliminate or reduce that pay gap.

I have asked the Agencies under my Department's aegis to provide the information directly to the Deputy. Please contact my office if you have not received a reply within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Air Services

Questions (215)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

215. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding an application for the authorisation of fifth freedom operations by an airline (details supplied) in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17389/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Ireland - Ethiopia Bilateral Air Services Agreement, signed in 2014, allows for the grant of fifth freedom air traffic rights for airlines of both countries, subject to the approval of the respective aeronautical authorities.

Ireland traditionally has applied a liberal aviation policy that has proven hugely successful in expanding the international connectivity that is critical in underpinning business, foreign direct investment and tourism. As such we remain positively disposed towards the development of competitive air services. Applications for fifth freedom air traffic rights are considered on a case-by-case basis taking into account all relevant considerations.

For summer 2022, my department has received an application by Ethiopian Airlines to fly between Addis Ababa and Dublin, via Manchester, and has concluded a process of stakeholder engagement. A decision on the application to be made shortly.

National Asset Management Agency

Questions (216)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

216. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Finance if he records the details of private firms that former employees of NAMA are working in; the number of NAMA staff who are currently working in private property-related firms; and if he will provide details of the level within NAMA that these staff were working. [17177/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

All NAMA staff are employees of the NTMA and are assigned to NAMA by the NTMA in line with Section 42 of the NAMA Act 2009. Other than a small number of staff re-assigned from other functions within the NTMA, NAMA staff are typically employed on the basis of specified purpose contracts i.e. their employment lasts for as long as NAMA requires their particular function. Staff assigned to NAMA generally have a 3-month notice period and garden leave provision in their contracts.

While NAMA is not obliged to record the details of future employers for individuals who leave the organisation, a provision prohibiting certain activities in an employee's subsequent employment for a defined period of time was introduced on a case by case basis following a review of NTMA notice periods and post termination restrictions of employment.

The Deputy will also be aware of that staff assigned to NAMA must comply with Section 202 of the NAMA Act, which provides that all current and former staff, as well as members of the NAMA Board, are subject to lifelong confidentiality obligations.

Tax Reliefs

Questions (217, 218)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

217. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of tax relief on pension contributions in 2019, disaggregated by salary band in intervals of €10,000 and provided in tabular form. [17186/22]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

218. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons availing of tax relief on pension contributions in 2019, disaggregated by salary band in intervals of €10,000, in tabular form. [17187/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.

I am advised by Revenue that the available information in relation to the cost of tax relief on pension contributions is available on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/tax-expenditures/costs-tax-expenditures.pdf.

The information includes the number of taxpayers availing of the relief as well as the total cost, broken down by year, to the tax year 2018, the latest year for which data are currently available.

The information at the link above reflects the totals for each year. Information on pension contributions at individual (employee) level was not separately recorded on tax returns prior to 2019. However, following changes to the PAYE system, the information sought by the Deputy will become available in April for 2019 and for subsequent years as soon as possible thereafter.

The data will be published on the Revenue website once available.

Question No. 218 answered with Question No. 217.