Written Answers Nos. 231-245
231. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to calls to introduce a local bus link that would connect Brittas Bay with Wicklow town; if this initiative will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40311/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for TFI Local Link services, including in County Wicklow, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
232. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the way that he proposes to address the shortage of taxis in Dublin city at night-time; and if it is planned to introduce more 24-hour bus routes in the city in recognition of the safety concerns which exist for persons who are forced to walk home at night due to a lack of safe transport options. [40353/22]
View answerAs 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 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.
I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, but I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The 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 NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to 24-hour bus services, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days
233. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of Bus Éireann services that have been cancelled since January 2022; and the routes with the most cancellations in tabular form. [40362/22]
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 query raised regarding the number of Bus Éireann services that have been cancelled since January 2022; and the routes with the most cancellations, 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.
235. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify if cash payments can and should be accepted for driver licence renewals with the National Driver Licence Service (details supplied) [40407/22]
View answerThe National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) ceased handling cash during Covid19 and has continued this practice under the new NDLS Front Office contract. Payment can be made by credit or debit card, Google Pay or Apple Pay or by Payzone vouchers. Payzone vouchers can be purchased from retailers in towns and villages nationwide, in over 3,500 outlets. The NDLS also allows another person to make a card payment on behalf of a customer without a card. There is no charge for a licence for people aged over 70.
Retail transactions are governed by contract law in Ireland. Where advance notice is specified that payment must be in a form other than cash, retail businesses or service providers can refuse to accept payment in cash.
236. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the issue whereby people who, during the Covid pandemic were unable to apply for or renew their NCT certificate and are now trying to renew their insurance but are failing to get a quote by reason of the fact that they cannot get an early appointment for an NCT, that is before their insurance renewal date (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40425/22]
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 closely monitor the RSA's progress to reduce test delays, as well as supporting any appropriate requests from the RSA for assistance on this matter.
I am 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. At present, the majority of customers who avail of the priority waiting list are given a test date within 28 days.
It remains an offence for any person to drive a vehicle on public roads and in public places without a valid NCT and consequently, this would void any insurance cover. However, the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 allow that a car may be tested up to 90 days in advance of the test due date without affecting the expiry date of the certificate issued. I would strongly encourage any customer whose insurance policy is due for renewal to allow plenty of time to book their test, and if necessary, to engage with the NCTS Customer Service to avail of the priority waiting list.
237. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to extend the short hop rail service in County Wicklow as far as Arklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40531/22]
View answer283. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider extending the short hop zone for leap cards on rail services from Greystones to Arklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41352/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 283 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.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific questions in relation to the possible extension of the short hop rail service in Greystones/Co Wicklow as far as Arklow, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
238. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of constructing the M20 motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40538/22]
View answerAs 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.
239. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of buses in the Bus Éireann fleet, excluding buses used for the school transport scheme, as of 31 December 2019, 31 December 2020, 31 December 2021 and 18 July 2022, in tabular form. [40565/22]
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 query raised regarding the number of buses in the Bus Éireann fleet, excluding buses used for the school transport scheme, as of 31 December 2019, 31 December 2020, 31 December 2021 and 18 July 2022, 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.
240. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has spoken with his American counterpart since January 2021. [40566/22]
View answerI met with The US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on Tuesday the 15th of March 2022 on a virtual call.
241. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if all DART and commuter stations are currently using the lift call system; and if not, when all remaining stations will be using the lift call system. [40567/22]
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 use of the lift call system in DART and commuter stations 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.
242. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the amount of revenue generated by the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, from advertisements on billboards throughout Dublin Airport in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40568/22]
View answerThe daa has statutory responsibility to operate and manage Dublin Airport. As this is an operational matter for the daa, I have forwarded your question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my Private Office if a reply within ten working days is not received from the daa.
243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) regarding a driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40583/22]
View answerA person must be resident in Ireland to apply for a driving licence. A licence can be renewed up to 10 years after the date of expiry of the licence, so a person living abroad can renew their Irish licence if they return to live here within that time.
My Department does not have access to individual applications. All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority under the relevant legislation.
244. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to reduce the long waiting times and backlog of NCT tests given that many customers are only able to get appointments months after the due date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40619/22]
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 closely monitor the RSA's progress to reduce test delays, as well as supporting any appropriate requests from the RSA for assistance on this matter.
I am 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. At present, the majority of customers who avail of the priority waiting list are given a test date within 28 days.
245. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of making public transport free for persons under 18 years inclusive of the 20% reduction that has already been applied in 2022. [40633/22]
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 regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
The PSO programme represents a significant expenditure of taxpayers' money, and funding has increased in recent years to cater for additional services and growing capacity. Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance. Therefore, in light of the Authority's responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy’s specific question in relation to the estimated cost of making public transport free for persons under 18 years inclusive of the 20% reduction that has already been applied in 2022, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
