Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Written Answers Nos. 243-265

Road Traffic Accidents

Questions (243)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

243. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons in the State who were killed in road traffic accidents in each of the past ten years. [23211/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Road Safety Authority publishes statistics on the number of fatalities on the road networks.

I am therefore referring the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply.  If a reply has not been received within 10 working days, the Deputy should contact my office. 

Road Traffic Accidents

Questions (244)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

244. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons in the State who were killed in road traffic accidents in each of the past ten years who were not wearing seat belts at the time of the collision or accident. [23212/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Road Safety Authority publishes statistics on the number of fatalities on Ireland's road network.

I am therefore referring the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply.  If a reply has not been received within 10 working days, the Deputy should contact my office. 

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

Departmental Contracts

Questions (245)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

245. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his Department employs persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by his Department to deal with public relations; the names of firms involved; and the total amount spent on public relations by his Department. [23234/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The Department of Transport has an in-house communications and press team. The department also pays the salary of Minister of State Naughton’s media adviser. Minister Ryan’s media adviser working across two departments, Transport and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) is paid by DECC.

The Department of Transport is not currently engaging an external public relations firm to support its communications activity.

Question No. 246 answered with Question No. 224.

Public Transport

Questions (247)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

247. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of plug-in hybrid buses purchased for the public service obligation fleet in each of the past six years and to date in 2022; and the number of fully electric buses purchased for the fleet in each of the past six years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [23273/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As 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 the procurement of the national bus fleet.

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.

Public Transport

Questions (248, 249, 258, 259, 260)

Colm Burke

Question:

248. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to enabling commercial bus services to reduce their fares in line with reductions in public service obligation, PSO, fares through financial assistance from his Department considering more than half of all kilometres operated in Ireland are by commercial operators and the new PSO rates put them at a competitive disadvantage; if consideration will be given to providing the same level of financial assistance that is currently being offered to PSO services to commercial bus operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23278/22]

Colm Burke

Question:

249. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the details of the plans that his Department has to support commercial bus operators in Ireland against recent rising costs in service delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23279/22]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

258. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the increased patronage on public service obligation bus and train services since the price reduction of 20% in fares was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23470/22]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

259. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the reason that all services operated under licence to the National Transport Authority, including private operators and Bus Éireann Expressway services were not given financial assistance to reduce their fares from the 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23471/22]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

260. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if all Iarnród Éireann fares were subject to a 20% reduction since 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23472/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 248, 249, 258, 259 and 260 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.

Licensed bus and coach operators are an integral part of the overall public transport system, particularly in areas around the country which are not covered by existing public service bus and rail services.  In recognition of the important role these operators play, the Government has continued to provide temporary financial supports throughout the Covid-19 pandemic for certain licensed commercial services, with a view to protecting capacity across the public transport sector throughout the crisis.

In acknowledgment of the continuing difficulties facing this sector, these supports for the commercial sector were recently extended up to the 30th of June 2022. To date over €60m has been provided to support the Commercial Bus Operators during this challenging time.

In view of the importance of incentivising young people to use public transport, as part of Budget 2022 I secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a young adult card (YAC) which will allow any person nationwide who is between 19 and 23 years old, to avail of an entitlement for discounted travel costs, and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount to an average of discount of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services. 

It is envisaged that the YAC will initially be made available on PSO services, and then broadened to include commercial operators at a later date.  This will not only promote modal shift in the transport sector among this age group but should also contribute towards a reduced reliance on private transport with associated benefit of transport emission savings. 

However, it is important to note that it is technically more challenging to roll-out fare initiatives such as the Young Adult Card on the commercial bus network than it is on the LEAP enabled PSO network. As such, it will take longer to make this fare discount available to Commercial Bus Operators.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) is in detailed discussions with transport operators and the Department of Transport regarding the range of issues that need to be addressed.  To assist with this process, the NTA has established a joint working group with commercial bus operators to consider options and develop a plan to implement the Young Adult Card on Commercial Bus Operators in as timely a manner as possible, taking account of current ticketing capabilities to ensure a viable scheme is implemented

As the Deputies will be aware a 20% average reduction is being introduced on PSO services as part of a suite of Government measures to help combat the rising cost of living. This fare reduction was applied to all services outside the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) from the 11th of April and it is intended to roll-out the next stage of the reductions on GDA services from the 9th  of May. The fare reduction will be in place until the end of the year. The Government decision did not include broadening this initiative to include commercial bus operators.

In relation to the increased patronage on public service obligation bus and train services since the price reduction of 20% in fares was introduced, this would also be a matter for the NTA who are responsible for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.

In view of the above,  I have forwarded the Deputies specific questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Question No. 249 answered with Question No. 248.

Driver Licences

Questions (250)

Richard Bruton

Question:

250. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if a person who paid for a ten-year licence, but whose duration was curtailed due to their reaching 70 years of age before the ten years were reached, should now be able to extend the cover of the ten-year licence to its full ten-year duration without incurring further charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23282/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The fee for a ten year driving licence renewal is €55. However, where a person is aged 67 or over, a three year licence renewal is available at the reduced fee of €35. 

Before 21 February 2022, a person aged 70 or over was required to submit a medical report when applying for a learner permit or driving licence and a licence would be issued for three years. From 21 February 2022, this applies from the age of 75 and licence applications and renewals for people under 75 do not require a medical certificate, unless the applicant has a specified illness or other requirement to provide a certificate.

A licence issued to a person aged 70 or over is free of charge. Accordingly, an applicant who is aged 70 or over can renew their licence up to age 75 without charge.

Bus Services

Questions (251)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

251. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the status of the plans for BusConnects Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23302/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As 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 Galway.

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.

Bus Services

Questions (252)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

252. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport his view on expanding bus services in Galway to include a night service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23312/22]

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 and for the scheduling of those services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the expanding of bus services in Galway to include a night service, 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 (253)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

253. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will amend the existing trailer-towing licensing rules in order that those who have years of experience of towing trailers are not required to undergo testing. [23394/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Prior to 1989, a car and trailer could be driven under a car licence alone. Licence categories were then changed, with separate categories covering Category B (cars and light vehicles) and Category BE (car or light vehicle and trailer). People licensed to drive with a trailer before 1989 were allowed to keep this entitlement by indicating this on the application form when renewing their licences. The entitlement could be restored up to ten years after last holding it. If the entitlement to drive with a trailer has lapsed for longer, drivers must apply as learners for the purposes of driving with a trailer.

In 2013, the then Minister for Transport received representations from the Irish Farmers’ Association, suggesting that many farmers who had a pre-1989 car licence had unintentionally lost their trailer entitlement when renewing their licences. The Minister agreed, on a once-off basis, to allow people in this position - whether farmers or not - to reclaim the trailer entitlement where they could prove that they had previously held it. The Road Safety Authority made arrangements to accommodate drivers in this position for a limited period (up to November 2013).

It remains the case that where a person has held the BE category on their driving licence at any time in the last ten years, they can have the category added to their licence without the need to sit a driving test. 

Road Network

Questions (254)

Alan Kelly

Question:

254. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will ask Transport Infrastructure Ireland to review the brightness and glare from the lights located on the M7 between Nenagh and Birdhill particularly in the vicinity of the signals and lights for upcoming speed cameras. [23404/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As 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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you regarding lighting on the M7.

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.

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

Road Traffic Offences

Questions (255)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

255. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 4 May 2022, if he plans to conduct his own research to bring him up-to-date on the figures for the prosecutions of motorists in each of the past five years for failure to make progress and drive at the appropriate speed limit for the road and their vehicle under the rules of the road; if he will request the Road Safety Authority to carry out a public awareness campaign on the hazards of failing to make progress under the rules of the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23444/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

As indicated in the response to which the Deputy refers, prosecutions in the instances indicated are a matter for the Gardaí and the Director of Public Prosecutions.  Given this, it would be a questionable use of resources for one branch of Government to commission research on matters within the expert legal competence of another.

On the matter of education, the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for running road safety information and public awareness campaigns.  The Authority conducts many campaigns on different issues.  The choice of issues to focus on is based on the RSA’s knowledge and experience of road safety in general and factors of particular concern at given times.

Public Transport

Questions (256)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

256. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when the new additional rural services promised under the Connecting Ireland programme will be rolled out; the services that will be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23467/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan is a major national public transport initiative developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to increase public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns. The NTA 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 the Rural Transport Programme management, which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.

As I announced on 21st April 2022, certain routes identified by the NTA in their Connecting Ireland public consultation held in Nov-Dec 2021 will be prioritised and accelerated. This acceleration serves a dual purpose by catering for both existing demands as well as responding to the increased pressures on services where the local population has grown in response to the Ukrainian crisis. This acceleration of works will include additional stops, route modifications, and more services with the aim of increasing connectivity.

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. 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

Public Transport

Questions (257)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

257. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the additional bus services that have been provided to provide public transport for the Ukrainian refugees located in rural locations; if further services are intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23468/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

In line with the whole of Government approach, my Department and the National Transport Authority (NTA) have been working on practical and meaningful responses to the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis.

 From the beginning of the crisis, we have provided newly arriving Ukrainians with free travel from their port of entry to their end destination on any PSO or Local Link service. Indeed, many commercial bus services similarly offered this assistance in getting people to a safe location.

I was also pleased to announce the provision of emergency public transport services to those refugees housed in rural or isolated locations to ensure better access to our local communities. This will be achieved through an acceleration of network improvements identified through the Connecting Ireland public consultation, including additional stops, route modifications, and more services with the aim of increasing connectivity. Rural areas will avail of such improvements, in practice catering for both existing demands as well as responding to the increased pressures on services where the local population has grown in response to the humanitarian crisis.

Additional bus services will also be deployed to cater for those housed away from the existing public transport network. Such measures will provide better access to a range of amenities, employment opportunities and to onward public transport connections to larger centres.

A Community Transport Fund is also being established to support occasional social travel requests. This will be operated by the TFI Local Link offices and will enable our Ukrainian guests to join in the many activities that are available in our towns, in particular, activities focused on youth, integration, culture, and education.

Transport is central to the response efforts by Ireland and collectively, these endeavours aim to support the integration of our Ukrainian guests into the local communities that are hosting them. We will keep the issue of transport provision under review as this situation continues to evolve.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the procurement and operation of public transport services in rural areas, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you regarding the details of which bus services have been introduced to date. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

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

Question No. 258 answered with Question No. 248.

Question No. 259 answered with Question No. 248.

Question No. 260 answered with Question No. 248.

Tax Code

Questions (261, 267)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

261. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if schools can claim a VAT rebate in the context of being in possession of a charity number. [22586/22]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

267. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance his views in relation to allowing all schools to claim VAT back in the same way as other entities with charity numbers; the estimated costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22689/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 267 together.

I am advised by Revenue that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply.  In accordance with the VAT Directive a school that is engaged solely in the provision of children’s or young people’s education is exempt from VAT. As is the case with all VAT exempt activities, this means that they are not required to charge VAT on their supply of the relevant services, nor are they entitled to reclaim VAT on their purchases used for the services.  This is a fundamental feature of the VAT regime at EU and national level.

However, alongside the VAT system, there is a grants scheme under which bodies (including schools) which are qualifying charities may qualify for a grant in recognition of the VAT they have incurred.  The VAT Compensation Scheme was introduced in recent years to reduce the tax burden on Charities by partially compensating them for the VAT incurred in delivering on their charitable purpose. Under the scheme, charities may apply for a grant related to a proportion of their VAT costs, based on their level of funding other than from public and certain other sources. In order to be a qualifying charity for the scheme, a school would need to be registered with the Revenue Commissioners and hold a charitable tax exemption under section 207 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, and be registered with the Charities Regulatory Authority. It’s qualifying income would exclude income from public sources and educational fees. A total annual capped fund of €5m is available under the Scheme. Where the total amount of eligible applications from all Charities in a year exceeds the capped amount, grants are paid on a pro rata basis. Detailed information regarding the VAT Compensation Scheme for Charities is available on the Revenue Commissioners website at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/charities-and-sports-bodies/vat-compensation-scheme/vat-compensation-scheme-for-charities/index.aspx.

Finally, I am advised that the information required to estimate the cost of the Deputy’s suggestion to allow all schools to reclaim VAT is not readily available as Revenue do not have data about their purchases.

Tax Code

Questions (262)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

262. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Finance the preparation work that has been carried out to enable a new vacant property tax to be introduced in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22597/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The Government’s strategy ‘Housing For All’ includes an action for my Department to collect data on vacancy with a view to introducing a Vacant Property Tax. The timeframe for delivery on this commitment is the second quarter of 2022. The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Act 2021 enabled Revenue to collect certain information in relation to the occupancy status of  residential properties including, where unoccupied, the duration and reason for this, in the Local Property Tax (LPT) return forms submitted by residential property owners in respect of the new LPT valuation period 2022-2025. This information, together with information from other available sources, will be used to assess the merits and impact of introducing a Vacant Property Tax.

In considering the case for such a tax it is important to have a sound understanding of the quantity, locations and characteristics of long-term vacant properties. It is also essential to identify the reasons for vacancy, and whether this is long or short-term in nature. There may be genuine and acceptable reasons for vacancy such as refurbishment work, the temporary absence of the owner for medical reasons or pending the grant of probate for a deceased person’s estate.

Revenue have completed a preliminary analysis of the LPT returns received to date which has been shared with my Department. The results of the preliminary analysis suggest that levels of vacancy are low across all counties. I will consider the issue in consultation with colleagues before reverting to Government with proposals on the appropriate response. I understand Revenue intends to publish a profile of the occupancy data from the LPT returns in due course.

Addressing vacancy and dereliction, and maximising the use of the existing housing stock, is a priority objective of the Government, as evidenced in the Housing for All strategy where one of the four pathways in the plan is specifically dedicated to this area.

Banking Sector

Questions (263)

John Lahart

Question:

263. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance his views on the practice of banks of charging negative interest charges to client accounts held on behalf of clients by solicitors who have their office accounts charged by the banks and have to pass on these negative interest rate charges to their clients as a consequence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22625/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

As the Minister for Finance, I have no role in the day to day operations of any bank operating within the State including banks in which the State has a shareholding. Decisions in relation to commercial matters such as the application of interest rate charges are the sole responsibility of the board and management of the banks, which must be run on an independent and commercial basis.

Monetary policy for the euro area, including the setting of interest rates, is formulated by the Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) and implemented by the Eurosystem. Negative policy rates have been part of a comprehensive monetary policy strategy adopted by the ECB since June 2014. The policy was introduced to counteract disinflationary pressures and to stimulate spending and investment in the wake of the global financial and sovereign debt crises. The Deposit Facility Rate (DFR) has been -0.5% since September 2019. The DFR is the rate that applies to funds that banks deposit with the Central Bank and with the current levels of excess liquidity, it controls market interest rates and prompts a general repricing of interest rates across different asset classes.

The application of negative deposit rates by the ECB has resulted in European banks incurring a consequent cost on deposit accounts. Banks across Europe have looked to pass some of the costs associated with negative rates to deposit holders with larger balances. The Irish banks are no different in this regard.

In passing on some of these costs, banks have decided that they cannot differentiate between customers in different sectors and for that reason, banks have chosen to apply charges based on the size of the deposit balance.

I am not in a position to comment on the potential impact on clients of solicitors. However, I understand that some legal practices have already taken steps to work closely with their clients to ensure that clients' monies spends the least amount of time possible in the solicitor's client account.

Primary Medical Certificates

Questions (264)

John Lahart

Question:

264. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in assembling an appeals board in respect of the primary medical certificate; the plans that are in place in respect of the backlog of those awaiting an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22632/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The Department of Health and the Public Appointments Service, with input from Department of Finance officials, issued a call for expressions of interest from medical practitioners to participate in the Board. Following an extension of the deadline, the call closed on April 29th 2022.

Applications have been received and will be now be assessed to identify any suitable nominees, with a view to establishing a new Board and recommencing the appeals process as quickly as possible. 

Requests for appeal hearings can be sent to the DDMBA secretary based in the National Rehabilitation Hospital. New appeal hearing dates will be issued once the new Board is in place. 

Assessments for the primary medical certificate, by the HSE, are continuing to take place.

Banking Sector

Questions (265)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which it will be possible to restore the automated teller machine, ATM, services to Leinster House given the large number of persons who used the service with the exception of the period during the lockdown; if the major banks wish to provide a service perhaps an alternative can be proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22684/22]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The facilities available in Leinster House are a matter for Facilities Management at the Houses of the Oireachtas.

As Minister for Finance, I do not have a role in the day to day operations of any bank operating within the State, including those in which the State has a shareholding.

Decisions in relation to the provision of ATM services at different locations are commercial matters and are the sole responsibility of the board and management of the entities that provide such services, which must be run on an independent and commercial basis.