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Tuesday, 26 Apr 2022

Written Answers Nos. 375-394

Departmental Staff

Questions (375)

Carol Nolan

Question:

375. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons currently employed in his Department who have been seconded in from the public sector; the number of Departmental officials seconded where the monies are recouped from the body the person is seconded to or where the Department pays for the person with no recoupment from the other organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20071/22]

View answer

Written answers

There are a number of staff on secondment to agencies under the remit of my Department, including the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, strengthening links between the Department and its agencies. There are also several staff seconded to other Government Departments including the Department of Foreign Affairs to staff our Permanent Representation in Brussels and a small number of staff are seconded as national experts to the EU Commission. These EU Commission posts allow the department to have input into EU policy and legislative proposals.

The duration of staff secondments to other Government Departments vary as they may be terminated at relatively short notice, or extended, by agreement with the other Department and the staff member concerned. 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.

The following tables set out details by grade and institution or body of staff currently on secondment from and into my Department.

Staff seconded into the Department

Grade

Seconded from:

Responsible for payroll:

Start date of secondment

Statistician

Central Statistics Office

Department of Transport

18/11/2019

Advisory Counsel Grade 3

Attorney General’s Office

Department of Transport

31/8/2020

Clerical Officer, Minister of State Naughton’s office

Office of the Revenue Commissioners

Department of Transport

28/6/2021

Higher Executive Officer

National Shared Services Office

Department of Transport

04/04/2022

Staff seconded out by the Department

Grade

Seconded to:

Responsible for payroll

Start date of secondment

Assistant Principal, EU Perm Rep office, Brussels

Department of Foreign Affairs

Department of Foreign Affairs

01/09/2020

Higher Executive Officer

Department of Health

Department of Health

09/10/2017

Economist

Waterford County Council

Waterford County Council

30/10/2018

Principal Officer

EU Commission

Department of Foreign Affairs

01/05/2021

Principal Officer, EU Perm Rep office, Brussels

Department of Foreign Affairs

Department of Foreign Affairs

01/06/2021

Administrative Officer, EU Perm Rep office, Brussels

Department of Foreign Affairs

Department of Transport

23/08/2021

Administrative Officer

International Maritime Organisation

Department of Transport

20/09/2021

Assistant Principal

Organisation for Economic Coordination and Development

Department of Foreign Affairs

01/09/2021

Ship Surveyor

Department of Foreign Affairs

Department of Foreign Affairs

6/12/2021

Assistant Principal

Department of Health

Department of Health

29/11/2021

Assistant Principal

Marine Casualty Investigation Board

Department of Transport

29/11/2021

Executive Officer

Marine Casualty Investigation Board

Department of Transport

30/10/2018

Clerical Officer

Marine Casualty Investigation Board

Department of Transport

24/01/2022

Driver Licences

Questions (376)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

376. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the process for a person to obtain a driver certificate of professional competence for a category D driving licence; the current waiting time for the issuing of the CPC card; the number of drivers awaiting the document by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20090/22]

View answer

Written answers

This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (377)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

377. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport when the national charging infrastructure strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20093/22]

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Written answers

The Climate Action Plan 2021 set a target of 945,000 EVs by 2030. 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, to facilitate the expansion of EVs in the Irish car fleet.

A draft National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy was published for consultation on March 31st, 2022 . The Strategy sets out a pathway for the provision of charging infrastructure to stay ahead of demand and makes several recommendations in relation to the actions, funding streams and supports that will be put in place by Government to deliver a seamless public charging network.

The consultation will run until the end of May. The next phase of the public consultation will be launched next week, involving a structured online questionnaire and stakeholder webinars. The Strategy will be revised, following analysis of the submissions received and a final Strategy will be published later this year.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (378)

Francis Noel Duffy

Question:

378. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport when it is envisaged that local authorities will avail of the new residential charging scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20094/22]

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Written answers

The Climate Action Plan 2021 set a target of 945,000 EVs by 2030. 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, to facilitate the expansion of EVs in the Irish car fleet. A draft National Charging Infrastructure Strategy has been published for public consultation which sets out a pathway for the provision of charging infrastructure to stay ahead of demand.

The EV Home Charger Grant Scheme has been in operation since January 2018 to support the installation of home chargers for purchasers of new and second-hand BEVs and PHEVs. The grant provides generous support towards the full cost of installation of a home charger up to a maximum of €600. Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include multi-unit dwellings. This scheme will be launched shortly.

The Infrastructure Strategy proposes that for those who cannot charge at home, provision of residential charging solutions that give the same benefits and mirror the home charging option should be the first objective.

There is an onus on national and local government to facilitate the provision of these charging solutions for citizens who do not have access to a home charge point.

The Strategy proposes a new Residential charging scheme that will replace the existing Public Points scheme. It is envisaged that this new scheme will provide significant co-funding of 75% to Local Authorities to support the design of local area charging networks, as well as the delivery and installation of these networks which are intended to comprise both on-street charging in areas where residents do not have access to home charging solutions, and destination charge points.

To coordinate the provision of EV supports and grants and the delivery of charging infrastructure, the Government will establish an office of Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) within the Department of Transport in Summer 2022. ZEVI will coordinate and support the development and roll-out of publicly accessible charging infrastructure. ZEVI will therefore provide co-funding to support Local Authorities in developing local area network plans for EV infrastructure. I anticipate that the Residential Charging Scheme will be open to applications for funding later this year.

Public Transport

Questions (379)

James Lawless

Question:

379. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine the frequency of transport services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20133/22]

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Written answers

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 and for the scheduling of those services.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the frequency and capacity of public transport services to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Cycling Facilities

Questions (380)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

380. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the plans that are in place to improve cycling infrastructure in the Dublin 13 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20145/22]

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Written answers

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public and sustainable transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public transport and active travel infrastructure, allocating the funding provided by my Department at project level and working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities. This includes projects in the Dublin 13 area.

Noting the NTA's responsibilities in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (381)

Paul Murphy

Question:

381. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the actions that have been taken to ensure proper ventilation on public transport to avoid transmission of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20175/22]

View answer

Written answers

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 management and operational aspects of public transport. 

Public transport operators follow public health instructions issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in relation to COVID-19.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for  working  with all transport operators to ensure that public transport services continue to operate in a safe manner.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the ventilation on public transport to avoid transmission of Covid-19, to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Driver Licences

Questions (382)

James Lawless

Question:

382. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the current position and application procedures for Ukrainian refugees to obtain an Irish driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20180/22]

View answer

Written answers

My colleague Minister Eamon 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, can exchange their Ukrainian driving licence for an Irish licence. The licence will be valid for 12 months and will be apply to category B (cars) only.

An application to exchange a licence may be made in any National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) centre. An appointment to attend an NDLS centre can be booked online on the website at www.ndls.ie/booking-service.html or by phone at 0818919090.

Córas Iompair Éireann

Questions (383)

James Lawless

Question:

383. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the status of the CIÉ pension freeze; if plans are in place to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20183/22]

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Written answers

The 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.

As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to the schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority.

In relation to the Deputy's specific question regarding the status of the CIÉ pension freeze, I understand that an increase for pensioners, would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.

Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Driver Licences

Questions (384)

Pa Daly

Question:

384. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the status of a passenger licence (details supplied). [20203/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Marine Survey Office will process the application as soon as possible and contact the individual concerned directly if there are any issues.

Driver Licences

Questions (385)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

385. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason why the NDLS, a public service, will not accept cash as payment; the reason that cash is not being treated as legal tender in a designated public service; if he will order an immediate reversal of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20210/22]

View answer

Written answers

The decision to no longer accept cash payments at National Driver Licence Services (NDLS) offices was made after evaluating security, administration and value for money factors at the tendering process.

Payment at NDLS offices can be made by credit or debit card, Google Pay/Apple Pay or with Payzone vouchers. Payzone vouchers can be purchased from retailers in towns and villages nationwide (over 3,500 outlets). The NDLS also allows an accompanying person make card payments for customers who do not have cards themselves.

Road Safety

Questions (386)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

386. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the number of road deaths and collisions attributed to sleep disorders; and the number of road deaths and collisions attributed to sleep apnoea in the State in each of the years 2017 to 2021, inclusive, in tabular form. [20215/22]

View answer

Written answers

As the body responsible for producing statistical data of this nature, I have forwarded this query to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply.

However, the Deputy should note that the Road Safety Authority provide statistics such as these after confirmation of the cause of road deaths, including coroners' reports, inquests, Garda forensic investigations, etc., which in most cases take a number of years, so the information the Deputy seeks may not be immediately available after a fatal collision.

If the Deputy has not received a reply within 10 working days he should contact my office directly.

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

Road Safety

Questions (387)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

387. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport his strategy to reduce the number of road collisions due to sleep disorders and apnoea. [20216/22]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy can access the full guidelines on medical fitness to drive at this link Slainte_agus_Tiomaint_Medical_Fitness_to_Drive_Guidelines.pdf (ndls.ie)

National Car Test

Questions (388)

Michael McNamara

Question:

388. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport when the proposed new NCT centre for Shannon, County Clare; will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20220/22]

View answer

Written answers

The operation of the National Car Test (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and 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.

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

Driver Test

Questions (389)

Michael McNamara

Question:

389. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons on waiting lists for a driving test at each of the test centres nationwide; the average waiting time nationally at present for the driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20221/22]

View answer

Written answers

Under 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.

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

National Car Test

Questions (390)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

390. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a company (details supplied) that runs the National Car Testing centres is intending to hire car testers who are not fully qualified mechanics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20232/22]

View answer

Written answers

The operation of the National Car Test (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and 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.

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

Public Transport

Questions (391)

Paul Murphy

Question:

391. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the issues experienced by users of the Luas red line serving the west Tallaght, Citywest and Saggart areas (details supplied); if he will address these issue with the operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20317/22]

View answer

Written answers

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 operation of public transport.

The issue raised regarding the timetabling of Luas services on the red line is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the Luas operator Transdev. Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the TII 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

Departmental Funding

Questions (392)

Michael Ring

Question:

392. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport if funding (details supplied) that has been allocated has been drawndown and spent; if there has been a follow up or appraisal on the funding given under the various programmes or headings; if any of the allocated funding has been recouped or unspent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20405/22]

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Written answers

Deputy, please find below, details of funding allocated, drawn down and spent, to Mayo County Council for the period from 1st January to date. Also included are details of the various programmes and any unspent allocations. The first table, below sets out allocations for Greenways. The second table sets out allocations for roads.

Department

Year

Amount Allocated €

Drawdown Amount €

Follow-Up/Appraisal doneY/N

Recouped/Unspent €

Greenways

2017

0

0

n/a

n/a

Greenways

2018

0

0

n/a

n/a

Greenways

2019

3.2m(1)

0

n/a

n/a

Greenways

2020

5.5m(2)

0.348m

n/a

Money to be spent over the period of the project

Greenways

2020

0.095m(3)

0

n/a

Money to be spent over the period of the project

Greenways

2021

0

O (€0.546m post transfer of project to TII)

n/a

As above

*GREENWAY FOOTNOTES:

1. 3.2m was initially granted following the 2018 funding round.

2. Additional funding was granted for all projects under funding round of 2018 to bringing the total allocation for that project to 5.5m, so an additional 2.3m was allocated to the project funded in 2019.

3. A small amount of funding was granted to 26 projects across the country to assist with the initial phases of greenway projects. This funding came following monies allocated to Greenways from the Carbon Tax fund.

Regional and Local Roads

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from 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.

Details of the funding allocated to Mayo County Council for the period 2017-2021 are set out in the table below. Full details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Division

Year

Initial Allocation €

Additional Allocations €

Drawdown Amount €

Regional & Local Roads Division

2017

€20,417,862

€20,420,876

Regional & Local Roads Division

2018

€24,032,000

€375,000(Severe Weather Special Maintenance Grant)

€24,368,820

Regional & Local Roads Division

2019

€27,256,822

€381,562(Severe Weather Grant)

€27,446,996

Regional & Local Roads Division

2020

€30,775,203

€3,277,980(Cycle signs, Active Travel and Climate Change)

€32,779,932

Regional & Local Roads Division

2021

€33,525,916

€1,530,745(Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience Works and Specific Improvement Grant)

€34,411,102

The Regional and Local Roads (RLR) Division is responsible for the allocation and oversight of Exchequer grants for regional and local roads. The Division’s Engineering Inspectors are assigned responsibility for monitoring specific local authorities which receive funding under the RLR grant programmes. Duties include the examination of road pavement improvement and maintenance works programmes and the examination of applications from local authorities in respect of certain grant programmes. Approved projects are monitored by the Inspectors throughout each year.

As regards road improvement projects, any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific or Strategic Grant Programmes must comply with the requirements of the DPER Public Spending Code and the Department of Transport Capital Appraisal Framework.

In addition, on-site inspections to review progress regarding implementation of approved programmes as well as financial checks are carried out throughout each year.

A desk check of expenditure claimed by Mayo County Council under various Regional & Local Roads State Grants was undertaken for monies claimed in the period December 2017 – June 2018. This desk check identified expenditure deemed ineligible under the terms of the Memorandum on Grants for Regional & Local Roads and an amount of €25,012.88 was recouped by the Department.

Bus Services

Questions (393)

David Cullinane

Question:

393. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to provision of bus service in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20435/22]

View answer

Written answers

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 and for decisions in relation to the routes of those services.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to Waterford City Bus Services to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Legislative Measures

Questions (394)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

394. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider introducing a law to make it compulsory for motorists to have a first aid kit and fire extinguisher in their vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20444/22]

View answer

Written answers

Action 105 of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 undertook to examine the feasibility of requiring all vehicles to carry safety equipment, including fire extinguisher, red triangle and first aid kit.

Extensive research was carried out by the Road Safety Authority in 2016-2017, and information was sought from other European countries. The research noted that all of the safest European countries, except the UK, require motorists to carry a warning triangle, and only Norway require them to carry a high-visibility vest. None of these countries require any further safety equipment.

A number of legal issues were identified as part of the feasibility study, including the creation of an offence for either not carrying the equipment, or not using it when needed, and difficulties in enforcing the carrying of safety equipment. There were also issues around whether the owner or the driver (or both) of a vehicle would be committing an offence if a vehicle did not carry the required safety equipment. Further concerns were raised around the standard of equipment which motorists would purchase if minimum standards were not laid down in legislation, which in turn could lead to further enforcement difficulties.

For these reasons it was agreed that while it is a good idea for vehicles to carry basic safety equipment, it was not feasible to set it down in legislation. However, notwithstanding this, the RSA’s Car Safety Checks leaflet available at www.rsa.ie/docs/default-source/road-safety/r1.4-car-drivers/rsa-12-car-safety-checks.pdf?sfvrsn=83c94cea_3, strongly recommends that motorists carry an emergency kit consisting of a high viz vest, torch, red triangle, de-icing equipment and first aid kit.

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