Tuesday, 26 Jul 2022

Written Answers Nos. 216-230

Departmental Advertising

Questions (216)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

216. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39965/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

Please see table below outlining the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by my department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022.

Year	Amount
2012	€6,942.82
2013	€8,867.22
2014	€8,417.22
2015	€10,852.09
2016	€6,049.86
2017	€10,226.12
2018	€13,065.01
2019	€12,456.90
2020	€125,853.49
2021	€139,491.22
2022	€49,376.20

As this question relates to a ten-year period, my officials are currently compiling the requested information in relation to spend on Bike Week Advertising for the years 2012-2022 and will write to the Deputy with that information once that process is complete.

The rise in costs from 2019 to 2020 were due to two large payments. A once off cost for the advertising for MPGOG Tech Advisers in 2020 (€63,174) and the second for the ACT Campaign in preparation for Brexit (€53,668.65).

Departmental Contracts

Questions (217)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

217. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with departmental or ministerial public relations; and if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39983/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

Please see table below outlining the money my department has spent on Departmental and Ministerial public relations in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. The table also includes the name of the relevant agencies, consultants and companies involved.

Costs table

As this question relates to a ten-year period, my officials are currently compiling the requested information in relation to spend on Bike Week PR for the years 2012-2022 and will write to the Deputy with that information once that process is complete.

Departmental Legal Cases

Questions (218)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

218. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of legal cases brought against his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40001/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

To provide a comprehensive response to the Deputy, data has been compiled from within my department and from the State Claims Agency (SCA).

I can advise, arising from data available within my department, that the number of legal cases brought against the Department of Transport in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022 is as follows.

Year	Number of Cases
2012	5
2013	1
2014	6
2015	8
2016	2
2017	2
2018	3
2019	1
2020	8
2021	14
2022	2

As the Deputy may be aware, the SCA resolves personal injury and third-party property damage claims against State Authorities, as delegated by Government. The following figures include personal injury and third-party property damage claims against the Department that have been delegated to the SCA

Year	Number of Cases
2012	5
2013	5
2014	4
2015	10
2016	4
2017	8
2018	20
2019	20
2020	8
2021	9
2022	8

Departmental Legal Services

Questions (219)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

219. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent by his Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40019/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

Deputy, please see the table below detailing the amount spent by the Department of Transport on legal costs and services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022:

YEAR	Amount
2022 to Date	446,680.23
2021	1,081,718.26
2020	408,101.00
2019	1,480,402.80
2018	6,940,441.11
2017	398,392.32
2016	411,943.60
2015	373,899.64
2014	1,056,699.27
2013	327,598.34
2012	401,770.91
Total	13,327,647.48

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (220)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

220. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent by his Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [40037/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the procurement of office and other accommodation required for Government Departments, including the Department of Transport.

The table below outlines the amount spent by the Department of Transport on the procurement of furniture and office equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022.

Year	Furniture Cost	Office Equipment Cost (IT expenditure)
2012	€6,161.52	€53,263.94
2013	€5,674.28	€172,440.80
2014	€5,428.14	€73,133.34
2015	€37,233.61	€101,718.64
2016	€6,675.76	€63,300.93
2017	€17,734.55	€155,149.98
2018	€35,283.88	€194,372.36
2019	€41,198.87	€309,555.09
2020	€103,731.76	€442,270.83
2021	€138,817.37	€245,264.26
2022	€130,336.21	€126,365.99

Official Travel

Questions (221)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

221. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of times that he embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days that he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form. [40055/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Road Network

Questions (222)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

222. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will review correspondence from Monaghan County Council (details supplied) concerning the state of roads in the county; if he is willing to meet a delegation from Monaghan County Council on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40096/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.

The 2022 regional and local road grants were notified to local authorities on the 15th February and Monaghan County Council has been allocated a total of €15,868,600 million which compares to an allocation of €7,684,950 million in 2017.

The Department's grant funding for the maintenance of regional and local roads is allocated to local authorities on a pro-rata basis, determined mainly by the length of the regional and local road network in the county. Decisions regarding allocations to individual Municipal Districts are a matter for each local authority, taking into account the funding available to it from local and State sources as well as its particular priorities.

With regards to a meeting, I have asked Department officials to engage with Monaghan County Council on the matter.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (223, 224, 225)

John Brady

Question:

223. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the details and locations of electric vehicular charging points that have been installed by Wicklow County Council in the county each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40113/22]

John Brady

Question:

224. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the details of the funding that has been drawn down by Wicklow County Council to install electric vehicular charging points between 2015 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40114/22]

John Brady

Question:

225. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the number and locations of all electric vehicular charging points in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40115/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 to 225, inclusive, together.

The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. A draft national charging infrastructure strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial 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 194,000 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 and it has been announced that a new residential charging grant is in development which will focus on providing neighbourhood and residential charging solutions, particularly in areas where off-street charging is either limited or not possible. Further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland and how to apply for the apartment charging grant is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.

ESB ecars currently have 17 EV charging stations in County Wicklow, made up of the following:

- 13 x 22kW Standard AC charging stations, each of which have two charging sockets which can be utilised simultaneously. Therefore 26 Standard AC charge points in total.

- 4 x 50kW Fast charging stations, each of which have three charging sockets for CHAdeMO (DC), CCS (DC) and Type 2 (AC). At these charging stations two charging sockets can be utilised simultaneously, one DC and one AC. Therefore 12 charge points in total, but eight charge points which can be used simultaneously.

Overall, there are a total of 38 charge points with a maximum simultaneous charging capacity of 34 charge points in County Wicklow.

These charging stations are split between Wicklow Town, Bray, Arklow, Greystones, Ashford and at the M11 services at Cullenmore, junction 14.

Other charge point operators operate charge points in Co Wicklow but my Department does not have full access to information from privately owned companies.

The existing Public Charge Point Scheme continues to be available during 2022 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs.

I can confirm to the deputy that Wicklow County Council have to date not drawn down any funding under the current Public Points Scheme.

Question No. 224 answered with Question No. 223.

Question No. 225 answered with Question No. 223.

Road Projects

Questions (226)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

226. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport if any further plans have been or are being developed to build a motorway from Derry to Letterkenny, Donegal town, Sligo and onwards to link-up with the M17 motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40153/22]

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 planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.

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

Driver Test

Questions (227)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

227. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a query from a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40154/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

As the Road Safety Authority has direct responsibility for the regulation of Approved Driving Instructors, I have referred this query to the Authority for direct reply.

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

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

Public Transport

Questions (228)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

228. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to ensure 24-hour public transport to and from Dublin Airport including the use of a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40228/22]

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 and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. However, it should be noted that Aircoach is a private operator and therefore responsible for the scheduling and timetabling of their own transport services.

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 (229)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

229. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport his plans for managing the construction of the Metro North project having regard to protected sites and national monuments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40229/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

Much consideration has been given to the MetroLink route and the impact on its surroundings. The NTA (National Transport Authority) and TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) conducted a public consultation on the emerging preferred route between March and May 2018, and a further round of public consultation on the preferred route between March and May 2019.

Issues raised in the public consultations were studied by the relevant teams and, where possible, alternatives researched to mitigate the concerns. Particular consideration was given to the station at St. Stephen's Green. A number of station location options were assessed and the location within the preferred route, at the east side of St. Stephen's Green, will permanently affect less than 1% of the park. There will be a further round of consultation on the project, including its route and station locations, after TII submit the Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála, The application is expected to be made this September.

Regarding construction management, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area which includes, in conjunction with TII, MetroLink.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed direct reply to the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

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

Bus Services

Questions (230, 234)

Duncan Smith

Question:

230. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the ongoing deterioration in services on the 33B Portrane to Swords bus route operated by an organisation (details supplied) with buses being cancelled on a regular basis resulting in workers being late for work and being issued warnings and who are in fear of losing their jobs, college students missing exams and senior persons being left stranded and afraid to travel given the unreliability of this service; if he will confirm the service levels for the past 12 months on this route; if any penalties have been applied; the way that he proposes to address this issue given that national policy is to encourage the general public to avail of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40254/22]

Duncan Smith

Question:

234. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the ongoing deterioration in services on the 33B Portrane to Swords bus route which is operated by a company (details supplied) with buses being cancelled on a regular basis; the service levels for the past 12 months on this route; if any penalties have been applied; the way that he proposes to address this issue given that national policy is to encourage the general public to avail of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40366/22]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 234 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 statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these 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 questions in relation to Go-Ahead Ireland Bus Route 33B, 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