John Brady
Question:276. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the progress made to date on plans to build a new coastguard station in Greystones, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41166/22]
View answerCoast Guard Service
Questions (276)
Written answers
The Office of Public Works (OPW) has identified a suitable site at Greystones Harbour for a new Coast Guard Station and planning permission has been granted by Wicklow County Council. Greystones is the number 1 priority project for the Coast Guard and funding approval from the Department of Transport is in place.
The OPW are actively engaged with Wicklow County Council in relation to the formal transfer of the site identified for the new Coast Guard Station in Greystones. Agreement has been reached on revised boundaries and layouts of the site including parking arrangements for Coast Guard Vehicles. Formal legal documents are currently under consideration and it is expected that these will be completed in a matter of weeks.
The construction of the new facility is currently estimated at approximately 14 months from commencement to completion.
Bus Services
Questions (277)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:277. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if any consideration was given to the potential impact of plans as part of BusConnects on the structural safety and integrity of the historical walkway bridge connecting two locations (details supplied) given the impact of the weight of vehicles on the underneath road which supports the structure; and if he will ensure that any such potential is investigated in advance of planned changes to traffic coming into effect. [41268/22]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 BusConnects.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Driver Test
Questions (278)
Seán Crowe
Question:278. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in each testing centre in tabular form. [41282/22]
View answerWritten answers
The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred this 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Road Projects
Questions (279)
Brendan Griffin
Question:279. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if it is projected that the bypass of Macroom town section of the new N22 project will be open to traffic and completed by year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41289/22]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing 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 Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
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
Greenways Provision
Questions (280)
Brendan Griffin
Question:280. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the latest projected start date for works on the south Kerry greenway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41290/22]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Road Projects
Questions (281)
Brendan Griffin
Question:281. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the anticipated timeline relating to the construction of the Tralee northern relief road; the provision for cycling infrastructure that is included in the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41291/22]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 Tralee Northern Relief Road is one of the limited number of strategic regional and local road improvement schemes being undertaken under the National Development Plan. Implementation of the project is the responsibility of Kerry County Council. Phase 1 connecting the R878 Oakpark Road and the R556 Abbeydorney Road is underway at present and is scheduled for completion in 2024. This project includes provision for a 2.0 metre wide cycle lane on both sides of the road.
Road Projects
Questions (282)
Brendan Griffin
Question:282. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the projected timeline for the completion of proposed traffic calming and cycle lane provision works on the N72 at Fossa, Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41295/22]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways and Active Travel. The planning, design and construction of individual Greenways and Active Travel infrastructure on National Roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
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
Question No. 283 answered with Question No. 237.
Rail Network
Questions (284)
John Brady
Question:284. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on plans to increase capacity and frequency of trains on the Dublin to Rosslare rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41353/22]
View answerWritten answers
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 requesting an update on plans to increase capacity and frequency of trains on the Dublin to Rosslare rail line, 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
Road Projects
Questions (285)
John Brady
Question:285. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to progress the N81 Tallaght to Hollywood Cross road improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41354/22]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation, management and upgrading 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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
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
Rail Network
Questions (286)
John Brady
Question:286. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the DART+ coastal project scheme for additional capacity and enhanced train services; when this project will commence; the estimated timeframe from start to completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41355/22]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which include DART+ Coastal North and DART+ Coastal South.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific questions 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
State Bodies
Questions (287)
Holly Cairns
Question:287. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit met their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 in 2021, including the way that relevant policies and actions are monitored and the way that the obligation is reflected in their annual reports. [41380/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Public Sector Duty, as provided for in Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, places a legal obligation on all public bodies, including all central government departments, to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of their employees and everyone affected by their functions and services.
This obligation is recognised in the Department of Transport's Public Sector Duty Assessment and Action Plan, which was published in October 2020 and covers the period 2021 to 2023, and in the department's Statement of Strategy, which was published in March 2021.
In 2021, the department's Public Sector Duty Working Group commenced the implementation of the actions contained in this Plan, including the delivery of information sessions on its contents to all divisions of the department to ensure greater awareness and understanding of the Duty. A number of Working Group members have obtained a professional diploma in Human Rights and Equality and the department also worked closely with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) in the development of its introductory eLearning module Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service. In addition to the above, department officials engaged in the work of interdepartmental equality and human rights committees and contributed to work on disability and gender-related policy issues. The issue is also discussed regularly at other cross-divisional meetings, including the Horizontal Working Group on Organisational Excellence.
The department is committed to ensuring that there is a culture of respect for human rights and equality among our staff and for the people to whom we provide services. The Public Sector Duty is an ongoing duty that must be continuously monitored, reviewed, and developed and the department will continue to work with IHREC in this regard. Progress on its implementation will be included in the annual reports of this department.
The implementation of section 42 of the IHREC Act 2014 is a matter for each agency. I have asked the agencies under my department’s remit to respond to you directly. If you do not hear from them within 10 working days, please advise my private office.
State Bodies
Questions (288)
Holly Cairns
Question:288. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies; the total number of members of each board; the numbers on each board broken down according to gender; and the number of persons with a declared disability on each board in tabular form. [41398/22]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I am wholly committed to promoting gender balance, diversity and inclusion on the State Boards under my remit. My department actively engages with our agencies, stakeholders and the Public Appointments Service to promote better gender balance on our State Boards. In March of this year I hosted a webinar to encourage as broad a pool of candidates as possible to apply for appointments to transport Boards, particularly individuals in groups that have traditionally been under-represented.
There are 11 commercial bodies and 5 non-commercial bodies under the aegis of the Department of Transport. In addition, my department also processes board appointments for 2 organisations under the remit of our agencies, namely the Railway Safety Advisory Council and the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles.
Information in relation to the membership and gender breakdown on each board is summarised in the following table. My department does not record statistics on the number of persons with a declared disability on each board and are therefore not in a position to provide the Deputy with the information requested.
|
State Board/Agency |
Total Board membership |
Gender Breakdown |
No of current vacancies |
|
|
Male |
Female |
|||
|
Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles |
18 |
11 |
4 |
3 |
|
Bus Átha Cliath |
9 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
|
Bus Éireann |
9 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
|
Córas Iompair Éireann |
12 |
8 |
4 |
0 |
|
Dublin Port Company |
8 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
|
Iarnród Éireann |
9 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
|
Irish Aviation Authority |
9 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
|
Marine Casualty Investigation Board |
7 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
Medical Bureau of Road Safety |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
|
National Transport Authority |
12 |
8 |
4 |
0 |
|
Port of Cork Company |
8 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
Port of Waterford Company |
8 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
Railway Safety Advisory Council |
14 |
8 |
5 |
1 |
|
Road Safety Authority |
9 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
|
Shannon Foynes Port Company |
8 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
Shannon Group PLC |
10 |
7 |
2 |
1 |
|
Transport Infrastructure Ireland |
11 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
|
daa plc |
13 |
10 |
2 |
1 |
Information as requested by the Deputy including details of the State Board and details in relation to the current membership of each board is available on stateboards.ie and on my department’s website.
Driver Test
Questions (289)
Claire Kerrane
Question:289. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons by county awaiting a driver theory test and a driving test in tabular form. [41459/22]
View answerWritten answers
The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred this 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Driver Test
Questions (290)
Claire Kerrane
Question:290. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons by test centre awaiting a driving test; and the average waiting time in tabular form [41460/22]
View answerWritten answers
The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred this 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51