Written Answers Nos. 255-274
255. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the exact location of the new second train station for Sallins and Naas as set out in the National Transport Authority Future Park and Ride Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37053/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including implementation of the Park and Ride Strategy and, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the siting and provision of car parking facilities at stations.
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.
256. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent to date for BusConnects Cork [37204/22]
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 in our cities, including BusConnects Cork.
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.
257. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if a business case has been presented on the light rail proposal for Cork; and the cost of that project to date in 2022, in tabular form. [37205/22]
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 in our cities, including light rail.
The NTA, together with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), is currently preparing a Strategic Assessment Report for Cork Light Rail for my consideration, as set out under Decision Gate 0 of the Public Spending Code project life cycle.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply regarding the cost of the project to date in 2022. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
258. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications that were made under the community involvement scheme per county in 2021 and 2022, respectively; the successful applications during this period; the amount allocated to each successful application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37214/22]
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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities, including the Community Involvement Scheme, are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
Towards the end of 2021, my Department invited local authorities to submit applications for Community Involvement Schemes (CIS) for another two year programme for the period 2022/2023. Based on an overall budget of €30 million for the 2022/2023 CIS, local authorities were allocated funding on a pro-rata basis unless an individual authority had sought less than the pro-rata amount.
Within the allocation provided, decisions in relation to the implementation of individual schemes is a matter for each local authority.
259. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the estimated capital delivery cost range for the MetroLink of between €7.16 billion and €12.25 billion; the estimated annual current cost; if he will provide details on the proposed public-private partnership aspect of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37237/22]
View answerMetroLink is at a relatively early stage of development and final construction costs will not be known until after the planning and procurement processes. On 4 July, Government approved the project in principle at Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. This decision was informed by a range of potential costs. These costs were developed in line with international best practice and combine reference class forecasting and expert assessment. The estimated construction costs at P30, P50 and P80 are set out in the table below. The 'P' value indicates the probability that the project will be delivered at or below a certain cost, and the P30 to P80 range is considered to represent the credible cost range at this stage of development.
|
- |
P30 (with low inflation) |
P50 (with medium inflation) |
P80 (with high inflation) |
|
Base Cost, €m |
5,800 |
5,800 |
5,800 |
|
Risk Allowance, €m |
410 |
1,740 |
3,030 |
|
Inflation Allowance, €m |
960 |
1,960 |
3,420 |
|
Total, €m* |
7,160 |
9,500 |
12,250 |
*Rounding may affect totals
Approximately three-quarters of total construction expenditure is expected to be funded by the Exchequer, with the remainder funded through public-private partnership (PPP) which will be repaid after services begin operation. The proposed PPP element of MetroLink construction covers project integration and contract interface risk. The PPP partner will design and construct the track, supply the rolling stock, fit out the depot, and commission the control signalling, along with other supporting tasks. This approach allows the project to draw on the expertise and efficiency of private sector firms that have experience in creating metro systems.
The estimated annual current cost of MetroLink after services commence will be subject to detailed revenue and financial analysis ahead of Decision Gate 2 of the Public Spending Code. It is expected that the PPP partner will operate the MetroLink service for a number of years following opening and that the unitary charge paid to the PPP partner by the Exchequer will cover operational costs, in addition to repaying finance provided during the construction phase.
260. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the date that Ireland expects to become a party to the agreement called the Wilhemshaven Memorandum of Understanding between Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Holland, Great Britain, Spain and Norway relating to SDS, special designated historic ships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37259/22]
View answerIt is understood that the Memorandum being referred to is the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, on the mutual recognition of certificates for the safe operation of traditional ships in European waters and of certificates of competency for crews on traditional ships, signed in November 2005. It is understood that the MoU seeks to address traditional ships that often operate on national safety certificates, and which cannot comply with international rules such as the SOLAS Convention or rules within the European Union or individual member states. It is understood that the MoU is mainly designed for traditional ships participating in maritime events in other countries and also contains recommendations for the performance of day trips in the waters of the member countries. The memorandum is not legally binding, and it does not provide a legal basis for the operation of such ships which are regulated by international, EU and national legislation.
The safety of traditional ships is a matter of importance, and many traditional ships are sailing ships. In Ireland there have been several very serious marine casualties involving such ships and it is very fortunate that there has been no loss of lives in these casualties. Full details of these casualties and the issues raised with such ships may be found in the marine casualty reports on the “STV Asgard II” and “STV Astrid” published by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board.
Ireland is a party to the main international conventions regulating maritime safety most notably the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, SOLAS Convention as well as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, MAPROL Convention, the International Convention on Load Lines and the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. Any ship calling to an Irish port must comply with these conventions and under EU Directive 2009/16, as amended, on port state control Ireland is obliged to inspect foreign flagged ships calling to Irish ports and must enforce the requirements of these international conventions. The referenced memorandum of understanding does not alter or amend these legally binding obligations.
Additionally, under Irish national legislation any ship carrying more than twelve passengers is a passenger ship and must comply with the Merchant Shipping Acts and hold a passenger ship safety certificate and any vessel carrying twelve or less passenger must hold a passenger boat licence. These are legally binding legislative requirements, and the referenced memorandum does not alter or amend these requirements.
Given the above and the importance of maritime safety, the Department has no plans to become a party to the referenced Memorandum.
261. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have engaged the services of two organisations (details supplied) at any point from 1 January 2020 to date; the costs associated with or incurred by the provision of services from these organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37293/22]
View answerDeputy, the department has engaged the services of Carr Communications Ltd. From 1st January 2020 to date, the cost associated with these services has amounted to €24,351.62. The services supplied are all related to departmental training, for example skills for interviewers for promotion competitions.
The department has not engaged the services of www.kinzen.com/company.
I trust this information is of assistance.
262. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the plans that he and or Irish Rail have for the future use of Tuam railway station. [37294/22]
View answerAs Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including the former station referred to at Tuam, Co. Galway, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
The Deputy may also wish to note however that the ongoing All Island Strategic Rail Review will, amongst other matters, consider the potential scope for improved rail services along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network. That scope will include the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor on which the referenced station is located. I expect to receive the report in quarter 4 of this year.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
263. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a schedule of the railway stations disused and disposed of by Irish Rail in the past ten years to date; the revenue realised from disposals; if he and or Irish Rail will consider making the disused stations useable for community groups or charitable use. [37295/22]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The disposal of disused railway stations, the revenue generated from such disposals, and the conversion of currently held disused stations are a matter first and foremost for Iarnród Éireann, and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
264. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will request Iarnród Éireann to increase the number of carriages from 3 to 5 on the 13.35 services from Dublin Connolly to Rosslare Europort. [37359/22]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue of increasing the number of carriages on the 13.35 services from Dublin Connolly to Rosslare Europort is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
265. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of installing the necessary technology to accept debit card as payment on each Dublin Bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37360/22]
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 ticketing technology.
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.
266. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers that used route operated by a company (details supplied) in each direction in 2021 and to-date in 2022, in tabular form. [37361/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; However, I am not involved in day-to-day operations of public transport services. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question in relation to the number of passengers that used routes operated by Go-Ahead Ireland in each direction in 2021 and to-date in 2022, in tabular form, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
267. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the situation regarding the procurement of new rolling stock and battery and electric locomotives with respect to the upgrade of the Cork metropolitan rail network; the role that he or his Department has in approving any such procurement; the possible timescales for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37376/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, an order was placed in December 2019 for an additional 41 InterCity Railcars as part of the on-going investments to increase capacity. I understand these carriages will start to arrive in Ireland later this year allowing for enhanced services across the rail network when introduced into service in 2023.
Furthermore, last December, a Government approval permitted Iarnród Éireann to enter into a ten-year procurement framework for new DART fleet and immediately purchase 95 electric and battery-electric carriages. The first of the 95 carriages will arrive from mid-2024 and enter service from 2025 onwards. Along with the additional 41 Inter City Railcars, the additional fleet will allow for the redeployment of existing fleet across the network. The deployment of the new carriages and redeployment of existing fleet will be a matter for Iarnród Éireann.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, in particular regarding the procurement and deployment of the rail fleet, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply on the specifics requested. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
268. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the number of South African driving licences received by the National Driver Licence Service under the driver licence exchange programme in each of the years 2021 to the end of June 2022, in tabular form; the measures that he is taking to address the delays in persons with South African driving licences obtaining their exchange; if his attention has been drawn to reports of the difficulty the transport industry is having in securing professional drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37380/22]
View answerAll enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. I have forwarded the Deputy's query on the number of South African driving licences exchanged for Irish licences to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.
I am very much aware of the difficulty the transport industry is having in securing professional drivers. This is a problem that is not just confined to Ireland. It has been a growing concern across Europe and globally for a number of years now. It is a multifaceted issue with a range of different contributing factors, including the Covid pandemic, Brexit and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which have clearly had a significant impact on the labour market for many sectors.
The Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group, established by my Department, published recommendations with specific regard to actions that could be taken by Government and the road haulage industry to help alleviate the HGV driver shortage (www.gov.ie/en/publication/cbbc9-logistics-and-supply-chain-skills-group). The recommendations are aimed at improving the supply issue, without undermining the working conditions and health and safety of drivers or other road users.
In addition, measures to help alleviate the driver shortage will be included in the forthcoming 10-year strategy for the road haulage sector which, as outlined in the Programme for Government, will focus on generating efficiencies, improving standards, and helping the sector move to a low-carbon future.
269. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties workers from outside the State are experiencing in obtaining an appointment with the National Driver Licence Service in order to exchange their foreign driving licence for an Irish driving licence; if he has plans to further resource the National Driver Licence Service in order to expedite this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37381/22]
View answerA person must be resident in Ireland to exchange their recognised driving licence for an Irish licence.
I am not aware of any difficulties in obtaining appointments with the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). Appointments to attend at an NDLS office in person may be made online at www.ndls.ie or by telephone at 0818 919 090. Online licence applications may be made online at www.ndls.ie, where the applicant holds a public services card.
If there are issues with an application, NDLS customer services can be contacted at 01818 700 800.
270. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the recruitment crisis currently facing the transport sector; the steps and assistance that his Department is providing to resolve the crisis and bring additional drivers into the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37382/22]
View answerThe driver shortage is a problem that is not just confined to Ireland; it has been a growing concern across Europe and globally for a number of years now. It is a multifaceted issue with a range of different contributing factors, including the Covid pandemic, Brexit and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which have clearly had a significant impact on the labour market for many sectors.
My Department established the National Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group in 2019, the key objective of which is to support the promotion of careers, skills development and sustainable employment in the logistics and supply chain sectors in Ireland. The Group includes haulage and logistics sector industry representatives, education, and training providers and all of the relevant Government Departments and Agencies.
Last year I asked the Group to examine the HGV driver shortage and make recommendations, with specific regard to actions that could be taken by Government and the industry. The recommendations were finalised at the end of 2021 and have been published here on the Department’s website. The recommendations are aimed at improving the supply issue, without undermining the working conditions and health and safety of drivers or other road users. The Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group, which meets quarterly, is also responsible for monitoring the implementation of these recommendations.
The promotion of education, training, careers and sustainable employment in the sector is also crucial, along with skills development and career progression for existing workers. A number of new education and training programmes have been recently developed to address the skills gap in the sector. These include the new Transport Operations and Commercial Driving Apprenticeship, which is being offered by Atlantic Technological University Sligo and which is the country’s first academic qualification linked to the profession of HGV driving.
The Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group has recently published a comprehensive overview of all of the training and educational offerings currently available, which can be found on the group’s webpage.
Furthermore, there is ongoing engagement between my Department and the Department of Social Protection (DSP), which has dedicated employer relations teams offering a range of supports and services to employers to fill vacancies including recruitment campaigns, specialised jobs fairs and through the online portal JobsIreland.ie.
Regarding recruitment of drivers from abroad, DSP organises events in the EU/EEA labour market for sectors where there are particularly acute labour shortages and recently ran such a transport-focused recruitment event.
HGV drivers from outside the EU/EEA must have a valid employment permit and a visa, if coming from a visa required state as defined by the Department of Justice. Following engagement with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the quota for employment permits for HGV drivers from outside the EU/EEA was removed in October 2021.
These drivers must also exchange their HGV drivers licence for an Irish licence. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with several countries and the Road Safety Authority, which oversees these agreements, is engaging with a number of other countries with a view to progressing further licence exchange agreements.
Labour and skills issues will be further considered in the 10-year strategy for the road haulage sector which, as outlined in the Programme for Government, will focus on generating efficiencies, improving standards, and helping the sector move to a low-carbon future.
Work on the Haulage Strategy is ongoing with a plan for further consultation with stakeholders following publication of a draft strategy in the Autumn. This Strategy is expected to be finalised and published by year-end.
271. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if the installation of ICT infrastructure has commenced at the national train control centre in Heuston Station. [37536/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the National Train Control Centre.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply to the specific question asked. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
272. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the amount allocated for the pre-planning stage of the MetroLink; the amount allocated for the design stage of MetroLink; and the amount expended on all aspects of the MetroLink announced on 5 July 2022 including external public relations advice, feasibility studies, route identification consultations and related costs. [37561/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area which includes, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, MetroLink.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply to the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
273. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if the contracts for electrification of the Cork to Midleton and the Cork to Cobh railway lines have been signed; if his Department has signed any procurement contract to purchase new electric trains to service both railway lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37582/22]
View answer274. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has ringfenced moneys from the European Union stimulus plan (details supplied) to fund the new rail work in Cork; the amount that has been ringfenced; if this will also include a number of new railway stations along the existing lines on the Cork to Cobh and the Cork to Midleton railway lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37583/22]
View answer275. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport when his Department will have approval of all procurement contracts for new electric trains and carriages for the Cork to Midleton and the Cork to Cobh railway lines to be signed off; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37584/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 273 to 275, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Commuter Rail Programme, which the National Transport Authority will implement in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, targets a 10-minute all-day frequency on electrified rail services running from Mallow to Midleton and Cobh. Phase 1 of the programme will be part-funded through the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility and is scheduled for completion by 2026. Funding of €164 million is allocated to Phase 1 of the programme through the National Recovery & Resilience Plan (NRRP), as agreed by the EU Commission.
In line with the development of adjacent areas and wider improvements on the rail network, a number of new stations are planned as part of the overall Cork Commuter Rail Programme, taking in both Phase 1 to the end of 2026 and Phase 2 thereafter. As the Deputy may also be aware, under the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS), the National Transport Authority have proposed a number of new rail stations in the Cork area.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in both CMATS and the delivery of the Cork Commuter Rail Programme (in co-operation with Iarnród Éireann), I have referred the Deputy's questions to it for a more detailed reply on the specific matters raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
