Written Answers Nos. 335-354
335. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on whether grants can be made available for financing self-builds that are classed as eco-friendly homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21291/22]
View answerMy Department funds a number of grant schemes, administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their existing properties. Since 2000, over 465,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier to heat and light.
There are currently no plans to introduce a grant for financing self-builds that are classified as eco-friendly homes.
The Housing for All Plan, published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, commits that the Government and relevant State agencies will advance methods to reduce residential construction costs, particularly the cost of apartment construction, by increasing the focus of existing and planned construction related initiatives on the residential construction sector, and by ensuring a coordinated, whole-of-government, approach to residential construction.
336. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport when the Kilrane State Facility site will be opened up to provide additional HGV parking to alleviate traffic congestion at Rosslare Europort and surrounding local villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21141/22]
View answerThe primary purpose of the State site at Kilrane is to ensure that all of the appropriate statutory customs, SPS and health checks and controls required for HGVs arriving from Great Britain are undertaken in a secure, timely and efficient fashion with the minimum of delay. Any additional use of the site would need to have regard to that important priority in addition to the relevant operational and safety considerations.
A review of the design of the site for use for additional parking of HGVs is complete. This then had to be reviewed in the light of the recent decision by Revenue Commissioners to move its mobile scanner to the Kilrane site to facilitate the establishment within the port of a Reception centre for persons arriving from Ukraine. My Department has engaged with the relevant agencies to assess the feasibility of providing the additional parking on a designated area within the Kilrane site. A Health and Safety assessment is to be carried out shortly by Transport Infrastructure Ireland on the proposed designated area. As soon as this is complete, the Department, in consultation with the agencies, will review the overall feasibility of allowing the dual use of the site taking account of the Health & Safety assessment and other associated factors, including costs and the management of the site.
The Department is aware that Rosslare Europort has issued an information statement requesting truck drivers and hauliers not to park their vehicles in neighbouring villages while waiting for access to Rosslare Europort for ferry departure deadlines. It is suggested that drivers waiting for a ferry departure should park their vehicle at Gorey Service Station, Ballyellin, on the M11, or at Barntown Service Station, at Larkin’s Cross near Wexford town.
337. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the progress of the Irish Maritime Development Office in its assessment of ports to facilitate the offshore renewal energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21201/22]
View answerIn 2021, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), in conjunction with the Department, engaged with stakeholders and carried out an assessment of the options for Irish commercial State Ports to facilitate the development of the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) sector. This is in line with the target of 5GW of offshore wind by 2030 and the potential of at least 30GW of floating offshore wind power thereafter, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Climate Action Plan 2021.
Following consideration of that assessment, my colleague Minister Ryan announced last December the publication of a Policy Statement setting out the strategy for commercial ports to facilitate offshore renewable energy activity in the seas around Ireland. A number of ports, both large ones for construction and deployment and smaller ports for operations and maintenance activities, will be required to provide facilities for the different activities at several locations around the country and for the various phases of the fixed and floating ORE developments.
This will ultimately allow investments that are commercially viable in the long-term progress without undermining the ability of any port to meet its primary obligations in relation to the facilitation of international trade.
This will also maximise the economic benefits at both regional and national level in terms of job creation and new SME enterprises in areas such as engineering, fabrication, transport and logistics, and other technologies. The Policy Statement also makes it clear to the offshore industry that the Government is committed to the provision of port facilities in Ireland for ORE developments.
The Policy Statement also set out that a Ports Co-ordination Group would be established, the overall objective of which is to ensure that ports develop infrastructure to facilitate the ORE sector in line with Government Policy and foster the growth of the related supply chain. The Group will provide a forum for port related ORE facilitation issues to be raised and to promote the sharing of information and best practices in relation to ORE facilitation issues. The first meeting of the Port Coordination group was held on 31 March 2021 where it was agreed that the group would meet on a quarterly basis.
338. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport when his Department plans to increase roads maintenance funding to local authorities; if his Department has conducted a review as to the way that this funding is distributed to local councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21202/22]
View answerThe 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 Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The major cuts to funding for regional and local roads during the post 2008 recession resulted in the build-up of a substantial backlog of works across the country. The estimated cost of the backlog is in excess of €5 billion.
Because of the pressures on the regional and local road network, approximately 90% of available Exchequer grant assistance to local authorities for regional and local roads is being directed to maintenance and renewal works rather than for new roads or for road realignments.
While funding is not at a level that would allow the backlog of roadworks across the country to be addressed, there has been significant increases in Exchequer grants for regional and local roads particularly in the recent years. The 2022 allocation for regional and local roads is €597 million approximately - €46m Current and €551m Capital. This represents an increase of about 46% compared to 2017.
As regards the basis for allocating grants, within the available budget, the Department's grant funding for the maintenance of regional and local roads is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to eligible local authorities. In this context, grants in the main grant categories are allocated based on the length of the road network within a local authority's area of responsibility with some account taken of traffic. It is envisaged that grants will continue to be made available on that basis.
Basing regional and local roads grant allocations on road conditions could result in an uneven distribution of Exchequer funding. For example, local authorities that allocate higher levels of own resources funding to regional and local roads will have a larger proportion of roads with a higher condition rating than those with lower levels of own resources funding. Basing allocations on road condition could therefore disincentivise local authorities from allocating own resources funding to roads maintenance.
My Department and I appreciate that, within the overall parameters set for the grant programme, local authorities might need to target funding at particular problem areas and there is sufficient flexibility in the structure of the grant programme to allow for this. It is also open to each local authority to allocate its own resources to priority areas.
It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to reprioritise investment towards regional and local roads.
339. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the anomaly within the system that allows Ukrainian nationals to drive in Ireland on their own Ukrainian motor insurance and that Ukrainian driving licences are not recognised by Irish insurance companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21203/22]
View answerI am aware that there has been some confusion over the legal status of Ukrainian people in Ireland using their Ukrainian driving licences, from both a licensing and insurance perspective.
Ukrainian drivers coming here as visitors would, in normal circumstances, be permitted to drive in Ireland for a fixed period, provided they have a Green Card as proof of insurance. These are far from normal circumstances.
Ukrainians arriving here under the Temporary Protection Directive have temporary residence status and cannot, as residents in Ireland, drive using their national licences. As Ireland has no licence exchange agreement with Ukraine and no mechanism to recognise Ukrainian licences, Ukrainians who wish to drive here would have to obtain an Irish licence through the normal process.
To address this, on 22 April my colleague Minister Ryan signed an order to allow Ukrainians temporarily resident here, because of the conflict in Ukraine, to exchange their Ukrainian licences for Irish licences. Such licences are valid for 12 months and will only apply to cars.
My officials are also engaged, at EU level, in discussions to develop a Europe-wide response to this issue. In addition, they are examining national options to allow an immediate response for situations involving the Temporary Protection Directive.
The insurance sector has indicated that it is taking a pragmatic approach and my officials have been advised that Ukrainian car insurance, accompanied by a valid green card, will be recognised. However, the issue of whether a company will insure a particular driver is a matter between those parties, in which I have no function. Ukrainian drivers should engage directly with insurance companies or brokers when they are seeking motor insurance.
340. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in each test centre in tabular form. [19226/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the Driver Testing 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.
341. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) with regard to the Glengarriff to Kenmare road, N71; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19249/22]
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.
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.
342. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will investigate the possibility of providing a financial incentive to motorists to convert their petrol and diesel vehicles to electric given it is far cheaper and more affordable than purchasing a new electric vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19250/22]
View answerProviding 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.
I am aware of initiatives to retrofit internal combustion engine cars to electric vehicles, and have asked my officials to give the matter active consideration. Innovations that provide reliable solutions for people willing to transition to electric vehicles are to be welcomed, particularly if they provide options for people who might be unable to purchase a new vehicle. At present, the Department is advised that this initiative is yet not commercially viable at scale but we are keeping this technology under review.
343. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ukrainian truck drivers who have come to Ireland cannot legally work as truck drivers here due to the fact that they do not have a European Union issued driver’s licence and therefore cannot undertake the necessary CPC courses; if he will make provisions to remedy this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19259/22]
View answerMy colleague Minister Ryan signed the Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences) (Ukraine) Order 2022 into law on 22 April 2022. This means a person with temporary residence in Ireland under the provisions of the Temporary Protection Directive, because of the conflict in Ukraine, with a Ukrainian driving licence can exchange it for an Irish licence. The licence will be for a period of 12 months and will be valid to drive category B (cars) only.
To drive heavy goods vehicles professionally in Ireland, an EU HGV licence and an EU certificate of professional competence (CPC) card are required. Anyone who has a full EU driving licence for a car may seek an HGV licence and CPC card.
344. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the current backlog in NCT tests given that wait times are currently up to four months in some test centres; and his plans to take action to address the backlog. [19264/22]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Test Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
345. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the steps he plans to take to reduce the inordinate queues that are occurring on a daily basis at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19279/22]
View answer374. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the actions that his Department has taken to tackle the issue of long delays at Dublin Airport due to queues at security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20039/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 374 together.
DAA has the statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport including all the operations associated with security screening at the Airport.
I have met with and had briefings from the daa CEO Dalton Philips and other senior staff where I expressed concern at the situation and the impact the delays were having on passengers. I have established a daily crisis management meeting between the Department and daa to monitor the situation.
The company has undertaken significant work to address and mitigate the security queue times at Dublin Airport. It has put in place a number of measures including stepping up recruitment efforts; redeployment of staff where possible; establishing a senior management taskforce; opening security lanes on a 24/7 basis and enhancing communications with passengers. These measures are having a positive impact on passenger queue times at the airport. This positive impact was seen over the Easter weekend, even as passenger numbers reached around 200,000 departing passengers between Good Friday and Easter Monday. The vast majority of passengers went through security in under 40 minutes, and no passenger missed their flight as a result of security delays.
On 19 April daa published revised advice for passengers following consistently improved queuing times over the last few weeks, including over Easter weekend. Passengers are now advised to arrive at the airport up to 2.5 hours before the departure of short-haul flights to Europe and the UK. The recommendation for long-haul passengers remains up to 3.5 hours.
While recruitment remains ongoing, over 100 new security staff have been recruited recently and this should assist in the alleviation of the excessive queue times over the coming period. These security staff are being deployed following the necessary training.
Dublin Airport is planning for a significant increase in passenger volumes over the coming months. It does note that this increase will present a considerable challenge. Management is reviewing the experience of the last number of weeks to further develop and refine measures to cater for the increased passenger numbers. I will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days and weeks and continue to engage with daa to ensure the positive impacts seen recently are maintained for passengers using Dublin Airport.
346. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if an aircraft (details supplied) was approved by his Department to transport United States soldiers or arms or munitions through Shannon Airport; and if he will provide the details of same. [19378/22]
View answerAn exemption permitting the carriage of munitions of war by civil aircraft, pursuant to Article 5 of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders, 1973 and 1989, was not issued to the air operator in question on the dates specified by the Deputy.
My department has no role in relation to the transport of soldiers.
347. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will allocate funding for safety works on a bus corridor (details supplied). [19382/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects.
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.
348. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport the status of negotiations on CIÉ pensions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19427/22]
View answerThe CIÉ Group has two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme ("RWS") and 1951 superannuation scheme ("1951 Scheme") and issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.
In relation to the RWS, CIÉ has prepared and submitted draft Statutory Instruments (SIs) to give effect to the proposed changes to the Regular Wages Scheme (RWS). 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. In accordance with the provisions of Section 44(3) of the Transport Act 1950, I directed CIÉ to publish a statutory notice of the draft 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.
The consultation period ended on the 28 February 2022 and officials in my Department are currently examining the submissions received. Upon completion, a report will be submitted to me, as Minister, for consideration. Following this, consultation with the Minster for Public Expenditure and Reform will be carried out.
Concerning the 1951 Scheme, members of the Scheme were balloted regarding the Labour Court Recommendation which emerged on 23rd November 2020, with a majority voting to accept the proposals. CIÉ has prepared and submitted a consolidated draft Statutory Instrument to give effect to the proposed changes to the scheme which is currently being considered by my Department.
I further wish to advise that the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. As such, being sub-judice, it is not appropriate for me to comment further on the matter.
349. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the reason that Cavan bus station is closed; if he will contact Bus Éireann to ascertain when it will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19470/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised by the deputy in relation to Cavan bus station is an operational matter for Bus Éireann.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
350. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an airline has applied for fifth freedom air traffic rights (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19520/22]
View answerThe 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 is to be made shortly.
351. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the details of the name, salary, position and roles of persons who are being paid for by his Department for secondment to another public, private or semi private entity in tabular form following the announcement that the salary of a person (details supplied) being seconded to Trinity College, Dublin will be paid by the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19559/22]
View answerThe Department of Transport has five staff members seconded to other public bodies who remain on the Department's payroll.
In accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform rules, during periods of secondment, staff maintain their terms and conditions of employment including their civil service grade and when the secondment period ends they return to the Department at that grade.
Details of the five staff members seconded to another public body that remain on the Department's payroll are as follows :
|
Grade |
Secondment Post |
Seconded to: |
Salary |
|
Administrative Officer |
Senior Professional Officer |
International Maritime Organisation |
€56,663 |
|
Administrative Officer |
EU Attaché, Perm Rep office, Brussels |
Department of Foreign Affairs |
€44,311 |
|
Clerical Officer |
Clerical Officer |
Marine Casualty Investigation Board |
€25,339 |
|
Executive Officer |
Executive Officer |
Marine Casualty Investigation Board |
€31,698 |
|
Assistant Principal |
Assistant Principal |
Marine Casualty Investigation Board |
€68,003 |
352. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit run apprenticeship programmes or are directly engaged in the training of apprentices; if so, the number of apprentices involved; the specialties in which they are being trained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19594/22]
View answerMy Department is not directly involved in the running of apprenticeship programmes. However, it did register as an employer with Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI) in 2020, supporting an Apprenticeship Programme which provides professional accounting accreditation to upskill our existing staff and ensure that my Department has a high performing talent pool for accountancy and finance roles.
Two members of staff in my Department are currently in their second year of this programme. There are no other apprentices currently in my Department.
I have asked the aegis bodies to respond directly to you on this matter and if you do not hear from them within 10 days you should contact my office.
353. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if an earlier driving test date can be provided to facilitate a person (details supplied) in County Donegal requiring a test for employment purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19599/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the Driver Testing Service. 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.
354. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the establishment of a Port Co-ordination Group within his Department to support Irish ports to be ready for the development of offshore renewable energy; if he will identify the members of the Port Co-ordination Group; the date on which it was established; the number of f times it has met; the dates of those meetings and the matters discussed at each of those meetings; the way the Port Co-ordination Group is engaging with both the offshore renewable energy industry and the ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19610/22]
View answer426. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made to date investing in Irish ports to ensure they can be used in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21024/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 426 together.
In December last, I announced the publication of a Policy Statement setting out the strategy for commercial ports to facilitate offshore renewable energy (ORE) activity in the seas around Ireland, confirming this Government's commitment to the provision of port facilities for ORE developments. A number of ports, both large ones for construction and deployment and smaller ports for operations and maintenance activities, will be required to provide facilities for the different activities at several locations around the country and for the various phases of the fixed and floating ORE developments.
This will also maximise the economic benefits at both regional and national level in terms of job creation and new SME enterprises in areas such as engineering, fabrication, transport and logistics, and other technologies.
As part of endeavours to maximise EU funding, following extensive engagement with other Member States and the Commission, the Department successfully obtained changes to the Ten-T CEF criteria to allow EU funding of port infrastructure for ORE in the next 2021-2023 funding stream. Successful applicants can obtain significant funding of up to 50% of eligible costs for studies and up 30% of infrastructure works costs.
The most recent call which closed on 19th January makes €4bn funding available EU wide for transport infrastructure projects. Similar calls are expected in 2022 and 2023. These are competitive processes, and typically oversubscribed. Bearing in mind the confidential nature of the process, individual applications cannot be commented on. However, four ports/private entities that are eligible under TEN-T applied this year for funding for studies which will effectively allow them to prepare for lodgement of planning applications from 2022 onwards for ORE port developments. It is expected that a decision on the applications will be made in July this year.
The Department assisted, as appropriate, eligible applicants with the application process. It is important for the State that preparatory work is advanced and planning applications submitted so that the entities will be ready to go to construction, once they have more certainty from developers that have come through the ORESS auction.
In line with the ORE Ports Policy Statement, in March 2022, the department established a Ports Co-ordination Group to ensure alignment of policy and to monitor its implementation. The overall objective of the Group is to ensure that ports develop infrastructure to facilitate the ORE sector in line with Government Policy and foster the growth of the related supply chain. The Group will provide a forum for port related ORE facilitation issues to be raised and to promote the sharing of information and best practices in relation to ORE facilitation issues.
Members of the group include representatives of the ports and terminal operators, officials from the Departments of Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the IMDO. The terms of reference also provide that the Group, where appropriate, can invite other agencies, Departments or stakeholders (industry developers, turbine manufacturers, other ports) to attend meetings and present to the Group.
The first meeting of the Port Coordination group was held on 31 March 2021. Officials from the three participating Departments provided updates in relation to their respective policy matters. Ports and terminal operators identified issues which were relevant to them and there was discussion on the preparation of a Roadmap which will set out the ports’ role in supporting the development of the ORE sector in Ireland. The next meeting will take place in Q2, the date of which has yet to be arranged and further meetings will take place quarterly.
The Department continues to encourage engagement between the ports and developers so they are best placed to exploit the opportunities that will arise from the development of the ORE industry.
