Written Answers Nos. 186-200
186. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of schools included in the Safe Route to Schools Programme by county; and the associated funding provided for those schools by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41838/22]
View answer187. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications received for the Safe Route to Schools Programme by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41839/22]
View answer188. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the status of the delivery plans for schools accessing the Safe Route to Schools Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41840/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 188, inclusive, together.
In March 2021, Minister Naughton and I launched the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme which will support Active Travel infrastructure for selected schools around the country. The programme aims to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools and to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities. This will help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure.
932 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June 2021 that they were selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme. The table below sets out the number of schools by local authority included in round 1 and subsequent rounds of the programme and the total number of applications by local authority area. It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme.
|
Local Authority |
Number of schools in Round 1 of the Safe Routes to School Programme |
Number of schools in subsequent rounds of the Safe Routes to School Programme |
Total number of schools in the Safe Routes to School Programme |
|
Carlow County Council |
4 |
19 |
23 |
|
Cavan County Council |
2 |
13 |
15 |
|
Clare County Council |
5 |
29 |
34 |
|
Cork City Council |
6 |
18 |
24 |
|
Cork County Council |
10 |
51 |
61 |
|
Donegal County Council |
5 |
61 |
66 |
|
Dublin City Council |
28 |
23 |
51 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
6 |
19 |
25 |
|
Fingal County Council |
11 |
29 |
40 |
|
Galway City Council |
4 |
15 |
19 |
|
Galway County Council |
7 |
58 |
65 |
|
Kerry County Council |
5 |
37 |
42 |
|
Kildare County Council |
5 |
46 |
51 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
5 |
19 |
24 |
|
Laois County Council |
3 |
10 |
13 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
3 |
7 |
10 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
8 |
29 |
37 |
|
Longford County Council |
2 |
7 |
9 |
|
Louth County Council |
4 |
29 |
33 |
|
Mayo County Council |
7 |
44 |
51 |
|
Meath County Council |
6 |
31 |
37 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
3 |
11 |
14 |
|
Offaly County Council |
4 |
13 |
17 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
5 |
16 |
21 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
21 |
25 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
3 |
22 |
25 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
2 |
22 |
24 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
4 |
8 |
12 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
2 |
10 |
12 |
|
Wexford County Council |
4 |
24 |
28 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
3 |
21 |
24 |
|
Total |
170 |
762 |
932 |
€15m has been allocated for projects at the 170 schools included in Round One. The subsequent schools will be engaged with on a rolling basis in each local authority area. This funding is being provided from the €1.8 billion funding earmarked in the Programme for Government to support sustainable transport.
The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is supported by the Department of Education. An Taisce’s Green-Schools is co-ordinating the programme, while funding will be made available to local authorities which will play a key part in delivering the infrastructure along access routes and at the school gate.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter I have referred your question to them for answer in relation to the funding provided to schools by county and the status of the delivery plan for schools. If you do not received a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
189. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the State agencies, organisations or boards under the responsibility of his Department or that receive funding from his Department that have been charged negative interest by financial institutions since negative interest rates were introduced; the amount of interest that has been charged to each State agency, organisation or board in each year in which such charges were applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39608/22]
View answerMy Department does not hold the information requested. I have referred your question to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
190. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if the Limerick city bus route 307/308 from Limerick city centre to Annacotty ordinarily served by a private operator (details supplied) will be replaced with a public bus given that this route has been suspended. [39620/22]
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the provision of public transport services nationally.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the possible provision of a replacement public transport service for the 307/308 bus route from Limerick city centre to Annacotty, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
191. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider extending the fares reduction scheme to Limerick city route 307/308 private bus operator (details supplied) due to the suspension of its service from 8 July 2022. [39621/22]
View answer192. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider extending the fares reduction scheme to private bus operators given the increasing cost of fuel and inflation. [39622/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together.
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 responsibility for the provision of public transport services nationally and 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 provided 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. These supports were extended up to the 30th of June 2022 with c. €65m provided to support the Commercial Bus Operators during this challenging time.
Further, in recognition of rising fuel costs for all citizens and businesses, on the 10th of March the Government introduced an excise duty reduction of 15 cent per litre of diesel, initially introduced until the end of August but later extended out to Budget Day.
As the Deputy 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 nationwide from the 9th of May. The fare reduction will be in place until the end of the year and €54m in Exchequer funding has been secured to allow for the introduction of these discounted fares, this is in addition to the REV22 allocations. The Government decision did not include broadening this initiative to include commercial bus operators.
In addition to these measures, and 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.
The YAC was initially launched on PSO services on the 9th of May, and will be broadened to include commercial operators later this year, with the aim to have it in place before the recommencement of third level colleges. 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.
The time lag is due to the fact that it is technically more challenging to roll-out fare initiatives, such as the YAC, on the commercial bus network than it is on the LEAP enabled PSO network. An array of various ticketing equipment is in use on fleet used by the commercial operators and needs to be catered for. To expedite the 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 in as timely a manner as possible.
193. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Transport If he will report on the Bus Éireann bus routes in County Wexford that are being cancelled at such short notice (details supplied); the contingency plans that are in place to resolve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39623/22]
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 operation of public transport services.
The issue raised regarding the cancellation of bus services in County Wexford is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. Accordingly, I have 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.
194. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the additional resources which are being made available to NCT services to address the significant and unacceptable backlogs in bookings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39635/22]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). 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.
However, I am very aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet demand and the delays which vehicle owners have encountered since the start of this year. This is a serious matter and I and my department will continue to monitor the RSA's progress to reduce test delays closely as part of ongoing corporate governance processes.
I am also given to understand that customers seeking test appointments may contact the NCTS directly by calling 01-4135992 or may avail of the priority waiting list function via the NCT website www.ncts.ie.
195. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide direct intervention and assistance in respect of the recent reduction in public travel costs and the matter of reductions not applying to private operators; if any consideration is being given to subvention in cases in which a private operator runs a service in which there is no public transport alternative which will provide equality to constituents in more rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39645/22]
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the provision of public transport services nationally and 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 provided 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. These supports were extended up to the 30th of June 2022 with c. €65m 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.
The YAC was initially launched on PSO services on the 9th of May, and will be broadened to include commercial operators later this year, with the aim to have it in place before the recommencement of third level colleges. 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.
The time lag is due to the fact that it is technically more challenging to roll-out fare initiatives, such as the YAC, on the commercial bus network than it is on the LEAP enabled PSO network. An array of various ticketing equipment is in use on fleet used by the commercial operators and needs to be catered for. To expedite the 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 in as timely a manner as possible.
In light of the NTA's responsibility for the provision of public transport services nationally, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the possible allocation of subvention to a private operator bus service where there is no public transport alternative, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
196. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons residing in an apartment complex (details supplied) are unable to access electric vehicle charging points in their homes; the steps that he is taking to facilitate the installation of charging points in apartment complexes in cases in which management companies are unwilling to engage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39664/22]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A draft national charging infrastructure strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the period out to 2025 was published for consultation in March.
The draft strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade. Responses and submissions received as part of the consultation are currently being considered in the development of the final Strategy for publication.
The Government’s EV target is a critical solution to reducing our transport emissions and is a key part of the strategy which also includes measures to reduce car journeys, through improved public and active transport networks.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well assists in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
On 21st July I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. A suite of new of grants and initiatives have been launched including the Apartment Charging Grant. This grant is for dwellings which do not have access to a driveway such as apartments, duplexes and mixed developments. Management companies can now apply for up to 80% funding for infrastructure costs when installing an EV charging system in multi unit residences. Further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland and how to apply for the apartment charging grant is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
197. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the reasons for the suspension of the 846 Clane to Sallins Bus; if his Department is in a position to find an alternative service provider in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39711/22]
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the provision of public transport services nationally.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the provision of an alternative service provider for the suspended bus service 846, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
198. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if there has been any formal contact between Louth County Council and his Department to date in 2022 in relation to financial support to develop the planned Port Access Northern Cross Route in Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39762/22]
View answerLouth County Council is the statutory planning and road authority in its functional area. It is, therefore, a matter for Louth County Council to consider options regarding the development of the proposed Drogheda Northern Cross Route (PANCR) scheme.
It should be noted that there is a limited budget available for projects under the Regional and Local Road Strategic Grant Programme and that the implementation of a number of the larger NDP schemes which are now at construction stage will absorb much of the funding available in the period to 2025. It should be noted that, under the Public Spending Code, a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) is required for all projects which are estimated to cost in excess of €10 million. To date no SAR report has been received by my Department from Louth County Council for this proposed project.
199. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport his views on the current taxi shortages in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39768/22]
View answer200. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has met with taxi representative groups regarding the ongoing shortage of taxis in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39769/22]
View answer201. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has met the National Transport Authority regarding the ongoing shortage of taxis in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39770/22]
View answer202. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport the measures that his Department and the National Transport Authority have implemented to ensure that the shortage of taxis in Dublin is greatly increased to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39771/22]
View answer203. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport if he intends on reviewing the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 to take into account the number of changes to the taxi industry since the Act's enactment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39772/22]
View answer204. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport the way that he intends to address the current taxi shortage in Irish cities; the way that he intends to further facilitate the entry of more registered small public service vehicle drivers into the taxi market in a timely fashion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39773/22]
View answer205. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport if he intends on reviewing the regulatory requirements for gaining a small public service vehicle licence; the way that such requirements might be streamlined or improved to increase the number of new small public service vehicle drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39774/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 205, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
The Department and the NTA are both committed to the existing SPSV regulatory arrangements and have taken a number of steps to support taxi drivers nationally. The NTA's SPSV driver recruitment campaign is open on a national basis since 4th July for a three-week period. I am encouraged to hear that the number of applications received to date, is 25% ahead in comparison to the same period in the 2019 campaign.
The NTA's Board recently approved an average increase of 12% on taxi fares from 1st September 2022, as proposed in the recent National Maximum Fares Review, which will be the first increase on such fares since 2017. The NTA’s 2022 driver survey shows that 93% of drivers are now working but only 29% currently undertake “night work”. 30% of drivers (up from 17% in 2019) reported that they would consider doing “night work” if the relevant fares were to increase.
In recognition of this, the proposed fare increases have been weighted in favour of the premium rate that can be charged for journeys between 8.00pm to 8.00am, as well as on Sundays and public holidays. The increase in cents/euro for each taxi user per journey is not substantial; however, the cumulative impact is significant for drivers, and the weighting in the increase has been designed so as to encourage more drivers to operate during these periods and also encourage drivers who may still not have come back since the pandemic to re-activate their licences.
Whilst the NTA has statutory responsibility for regulating (licensing and enforcement) the SPSV industry, taxi drivers are self-employed individuals and, as such, decide on their own business strategies within the regulatory framework. Additionally, SPSV operators choose the times at which they operate.
My Department and the NTA introduced a number of supports during the Covid-19 pandemic to reduce the costs for licensed SPSVs to continue in the industry during this very difficult period. The SPSV motor tax refund scheme was introduced as an additional financial support to assist the SPSV industry in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. I announced this support on 9 June 2021 and an allocation of €2m in funding was provided. The Scheme commenced on 1 September 2021 ensuring that SPSV licence holders could receive a reimbursement of €95 for their SPSV Motor Tax. The Scheme will end on 31 August 2022.
The NTA also introduced the NCT Initial Test Fee Waiver Scheme for the SPSV sector on September 1st 2021, with funding of €1.5m from my Department. As a result, SPSVs presenting for the NCT received, and continue to receive, this test for free. This Scheme also ends on 31 August 2022.
The NTA extended vehicle age limits several times during the pandemic, with standard age limits for taxis and hackneys now waived through to end-2022, thereby ensuring no operator exits the industry simply because of the need to replace a vehicle. The NTA also introduced a regulatory measure to allow licence holders to be inactive for 24 months (previously 12 months) to allow them to remain attached to the industry with no associated costs during this very uncertain period. It is hoped that a significant proportion of these licensees will return now that demand for services is increasing.
Supports are available to drivers wishing to change their vehicles. I allocated €2m to the wheelchair accessible grant scheme for this year (WAV22). Under this Scheme, the NTA informed me recently that 102 new WAV licences have been added to the SPSV fleet to date in 2022, and 26 replacement vehicles have been upgraded.
I remain committed to supporting the transition of the SPSV fleet towards zero/low-emission vehicles. The electric small public service vehicle (eSPSV) grant scheme was put in place to support the greening of the taxi sector. The Scheme is funded by my Department and administered by the NTA. The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use, and €15m was allocated in 2022 to support the industry to switch to electric.
eSPSV22 was paused for new applications in April to allow operators with grant offers the time to finalise their car purchase and draw down funding. The Department announced on 26 June 2022 that eSPSV22 will re-open for applications on 1 August, and the application form will be published on the NTA's website that same day. Applications will be accepted up to 30 November 2022 for this Scheme, with no extension being considered. Vehicles must be licensed (passed the suitability inspection) by 31 December 2022 to get the funding. If this has not happened, operators must wait and apply to any future grant Schemes which might be launched by the Department.
You may be aware that Microfinance Ireland is still providing the so-called eSPSV Business Loan, which is available to support SPSV owners that are unable to secure finance from banks and asset finance providers, and are availing of the eSPSV Grant Scheme to replace their vehicle with a more sustainable model (electric/hybrid). These loans range from €5,000 to €25,000, with a fixed interest rate of 4.5% if submitted through a Local Enterprise Office, and with no additional fees or charges.
I recognise that rising fuel costs are a significant challenge for all sectors and, that is why the Government announced on March 9th last, a temporary reduction in fuel-related excise duties of 20 cent per litre of petrol and 15 cent per litre of diesel. These reductions, which were due to finish at the end of August, will be extended until Budget Day on September 27th, at an additional cost of circa €80 million, and should help reduce the operating costs of all private and commercial vehicle owners, including non-electric SPSV operators.
I have met with the Advisory Committee on SPSVs three times during the pandemic, with the last meeting taking place on 25 November 2021. The Committee is the primary forum for discussing issues in relation to the SPSV sector. It was established under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 to provide both my Department and the NTA with advice in relation to small public service vehicles and their drivers. Neither the NTA nor my Department are bound by any advice provided.
Drivers are an important part of the Committee’s membership, and four positions on the Committee are reserved for members who can represent driver interests. One of those positions was recently filled by a person representing taxi drivers based in Dublin. The other three positions are filled by licensed SPSV drivers from across the country and I am satisfied that this ensures the Committee’s advice is informed by the perspective of drivers.
In relation to Ireland's SPSV regulatory framework, this requires that all drivers and vehicles are licensed, as a means of protecting the consumer and helping ensure public safety. I believe that the protection of the consumer and personal safety are vital objectives and must continue to be central to how the SPSV industry is regulated and operated.
Within this context, though, there is also a need to evolve and be open to new technologies and innovation. In this regard, there is now widespread use of technology in the SPSV industry, and such innovations are of benefit to both consumers and operators. My Department is open to new possibilities, but the regulation of any public passenger service into the future should continue to be determined in the context of the important safety and consumer objectives that underpin our existing legislation.
