Written Answers Nos. 125-144
125. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) which outlines a number of locations in County Wicklow in which noise mitigation measures are required due to high traffic volumes; if the funding for these measures will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44363/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.
Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction, including noise mitigation measures, for individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
Directive 2002/49/EC on the assessment and management of environmental noise was transposed into Irish law by the Environmental Noise Regulations, 2006. This legislation requires Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and local authorities to undertake strategic noise mapping every five years for all major roads carrying in excess of 8,250 annual average daily traffic (AADT). Noise maps identify and prioritise cluster areas which will require further assessment and may require mitigation measures to be put in place. Once strategic noise maps have been produced, the results are used for each local authority to develop Noise Action Plans as required by the Environmental Noise Regulations.
In relation to motorways, I have referred your question to TII for a more detailed and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
126. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport the current status and next sequence of the three large scale projects that were secured in the 2040 Capital Plan in 2017, namely, the Twin Towns Bypass, the Lifford to Letterkenny and the Bonagee Bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44385/22]
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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of these projects.
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.
127. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the time constraints and potential vehicular blockages faced by the Coast Guard when launching its emergency boats at Rosapenna, Downings, County Donegal; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that during a recent launch, time was lost following a call-out on Mulroy Bay which could have had devastating consequences for the water users in difficulty (details supplied) and lastly; if his attention has been further drawn to the local Coast Guard’s need for a slipway which will alleviate these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44413/22]
View answerThere have been discussions with Coast Guard officials and Donegal County Council regarding the opening of an access further down toward the slipway to mitigate this issue. This issue was once again raised at a recent meeting between Council officials and the Coast Guard who will continue to pursue this as a priority.
Unfortunately, illegal parking is a problem for many Coast Guard Units during the busy Summer period. In the case of the Mulroy Unit, the Coast Guard, An Garda Síochana and Donegal County Council have been very active in trying to move parked vehicles that block access to the slipway and to also highlight this issue to the public.
128. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek an update from Iarnród Éireann on the possibility of reopening the Dunleer train station in order to reduce the carbon footprint and assist in meeting climate targets in mid County Louth by providing much-needed commuter options for constituents in the area. [44465/22]
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 provision, operation, and maintenance of public transport services.
The issue of the reopening of Dunleer station is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and as such, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
129. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport the status of cycling projects in Dublin City Council; the total amount spent on each project to date; and the timeline for the completion of each project. [44470/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. The National Transport Authority (NTA), meanwhile, has responsibility for the allocation of funding to specific projects and oversight of their development, in cooperation with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the NTA's role in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
130. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to fire safety concerns at a Transport Infrastructure Ireland owned facility (details supplied); and if Transport Infrastructure Ireland is engaging with Dublin City Council on the matter. [44539/22]
View answer131. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the long-term plans that exist for a Transport Infrastructure Ireland owned facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44540/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.
I understand that the Railway Procurement Agency (now part of Transport Infrastructure Ireland) acquired this property as part of its advance planning for Metro North. As the property is in the ownership of TII, 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.
132. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to limitations on the transport of bicycles on rail services between Mallow and Tralee, including Killarney and other services; the inconvenience this can cause to passengers travelling with a bicycle from Cork/Dublin and refused transfer at Mallow due to space limitations; if he will provide his Department's policy with regards to the transport of bicycles on mainline rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44559/22]
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 provision and operation of public transport.
The issue of the transport of bicycles on rail services between Mallow and Tralee 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.
133. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons employed in his Department that have a formal agreement to work from home one day per week, two days per week and five days per week; his Department’s policy in respect of facilitating requests by persons to work from home; and the number of persons that have made requests to work from home in 2021 and to date in 2022, that have been declined. [44590/22]
View answerMy Department currently has a headcount of 600 staff members (correct as of end August 2022). In accordance with the Civil Service Blended Working Framework, published on 31st March 2022, my Department has developed its own Blended Working Policy. On 1st July 2022, my Department introduced a pilot blended working scheme that facilitates flexible blended working arrangements for all eligible staff members on a pattern of up to a maximum of 5 days over a fortnight period on a 2 days / 3 days alternating pattern for office attendance as determined by business needs, with flexibility expected from staff on other days where there are particular business requirements. Pro-rata arrangements are in place for work-sharing staff members.
Due to the nature of work undertaken by my Department, there are some roles which are not amenable to blended working arrangements, such as the Watch Officer role in the Irish Coast Guard.
To date, no staff members in eligible roles have been declined flexible working arrangements during our phased transition back to the office from October 2021 or blended working arrangements during this pilot period which began on 1st July 2022. Following this pilot period an evaluation of the effectiveness of the arrangements across a range of criteria will inform future developments.
134. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to include Dublin Bus H1 route on a 24-7 basis. [44596/22]
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 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 question in relation to the scheduling of the Dublin Bus H1 route on a 24-7 basis, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
135. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of establishing a public bike scheme in County Sligo consisting of 14 bike stations and 140 bikes. [44597/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure. The management of the public bike schemes is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), which works closely with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the NTA's role in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days
136. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus users travelling on each bus route operated by Bus Éireann in Waterford in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [44598/22]
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 issues raised are a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
137. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of tickets sold for the Dublin-Wexford train line in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the breakdown of tickets sold between adult single, adult return, student single, student return, child single and child return. [44599/22]
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 and breakdown of tickets sold for the Dublin-Wexford train line in 2021 and to date in 2022 to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
138. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport if a grant can be made available for the purchase of an electrical vehicle valued in excess of €60,000 particularly for motorists who need to travel long distances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44626/22]
View answerElectric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the 2021 Climate Action Plan and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 945,000 EVs on our roads by 2030. This target is challenging but indicates the scale of the transformation that is needed across all sectors if Ireland is to achieve its climate targets in the coming years.
As the Deputy will be aware, a comprehensive suite of measures is available to EV drivers, including purchase grants for private car owners and taxi drivers, VRT relief, reduced tolls, home charger grants, favourable motor and BIK tax rates, as well as a comprehensive charging network. These measures have collectively contributed to increased take up of EVs in Ireland in recent years with over 64,700 EVs registered in the State at the end of July.
In addition, the Department convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. In particular, the group examined the optimum mix of regulatory, taxation and subsidy policies. The recommendations of the EVPP Working Group were approved by Government and the full report is available online.
In line with the Group’s recommendations to support the transition to EVs:
- The generous suite of EV supports has been retained until at least end-2022.
- Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) was launched in July, a new office to co-ordinate the implementation of existing and future EV measures and infrastructure.
A cross-departmental Implementation Committee has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the EVPP report and is due to report on its progress to Government in Q4 of this year.
The Government provides up to €5,000 towards purchase of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and a grant eligibility price cap of €60,000 applies. The price cap was introduced to direct funding away from the luxury car market and towards lowered priced vehicles. There are no plans to remove this cap at present. However as part of the ZEVI launch in July, I announced that an expansion of the current electric vans grant is in development which will include large panel vans. Large panel vans with a price of €90,000 or less will be eligible for this grant.
Overall, the Department is acutely aware that the cost of electric vehicles remains an issue for many consumers. To this end, electric vehicle policy is kept under continuous review in an effort to make low-emission vehicles affordable.
139. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport if he will put procedures in place to ensure that there is better coordination and communication between the Irish Coast Guard, the Dublin Fire Brigade and the National Ambulance Service, in respect of rescues in the Greater Dublin Area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44628/22]
View answerThe Irish Coast Guard, a division within the Department of Transport, is designated responsibility under the National Search and Rescue Plan for coordination of maritime search and rescue, in addition to other roles in support of the Principal Response Agencies. Delivery of such services involves regular and ongoing liaison with other emergency services including the National Ambulance service and Dublin Fire Brigade.
The Irish Coast Guard operates a robust incident review process which includes liaison with other emergency services as required. Such reviews are supported by scheduled management level meetings that provide a forum for considering the overall quality and coordination of service delivery.
140. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport the status of Córas Iompair Éireann pension holders in 52 scheme negotiations; if the pension holders will receive an increase in their pension payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44661/22]
View answerThe CIÉ Group’s two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), are currently not in compliance with the Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) as defined in the Pensions Act 1990.
As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to the schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority.
In relation to the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to proposed changes to the 1951 scheme which is being considered by my Department in conjunction with NewERA. However, the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days and the next steps are subject to the outcome from the Hearing.
In relation to pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners, would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
141. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the reason that there are inconsistencies between the Dublin Bus real-time displays at the stop and the real-time display in the mobile application; the reason that buses occasionally disappear from the real-time displays; the plans that Dublin Bus has to resolve these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44688/22]
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 raised in relation to real-time passenger information is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days
142. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will instruct the National Transport Authority to ensure that the privatised Dublin Bus routes, formerly known as the 747 and 748, continue to accept the travel pass for use on their services [44707/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters of public transport operators, including those related to the operation of commercial bus services, their fare structures, or the acceptance of free travel passes. Further, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has no direct involvement with the free travel scheme on commercial services either.
While all public service obligation (PSO) transport services, including rural Local Link services, provide free travel to eligible pass holders, my understanding is that only some commercial operators provide the service.
Those private bus companies that have chosen to opt into the Free Travel Scheme are reimbursed for carrying non-fare paying passengers at a discount to reflect the 'fares foregone' nature of the scheme.
In view of the above the issue raised by the Deputy would be a matter for the commercial arm of Dublin Bus in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection. Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Dublin Bus for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
143. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if the BusConnects plan for Bray will be amended in view of proposals by Irish Rail and the National Transport Authority to close the level crossing at Bray Daly Station on a permanent basis. [44708/22]
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 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 ten days.
144. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in the RSA Cavan driving test centre; the number of weeks that applicants are on waiting lists for a test date; when the huge delays experienced in Cavan for driving tests will be meaningfully addressed; if his attention has been drawn to the long time lag between applicants completing their required driving lessons and being facilitated with a test; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that many of the applicants are young people who need to travel for education or employment purposes, who do not have access to public transport and are disadvantaged in many ways by not having full driving licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44709/22]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). Information on the driving test waiting times in the Cavan area is held by the RSA. I have therefore referred this part of 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.
Due to suspension of driver testing services in the first 2020 lockdown, along with health protocols since resumption and further curtailing of services during subsequent restrictions, a significant backlog developed.
Since public health restrictions have eased, considerable progress has been made in addressing these backlogs, with waiting times having reduced significantly.
Pre-Covid, the target national average wait for a test was 10 weeks. On the eve of the pandemic, however, the actual waiting time was around six and a half weeks. This increased to 25 weeks during the pandemic. The pre-pandemic target of having a national average wait of ten weeks was once again achieved by the end of 2021. Projections made early last year had estimated it would be February 2022 before this point was reached.
At the end July 2022, the national average time to invite for a test in Ireland was just over 10 weeks. At that time there were 13,800 people scheduled to take a driving test and a further 32,700 waiting for their invitation. There has been an increase in application volumes and learners becoming eligible to take their test since the start of the year as the economy once again reopened post-pandemic and many learners who availed of increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test are now becoming eligible. While there has been some growth in demand over the summer months and accompanying seasonal capacity constraints, the RSA are confident that current delays within the system will rectify before year end.
In early 2022, the RSA conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver tester service. This recommended that the number of permanent driver testers employed by the RSA should be raised from 100 to 130. My Department considered the RSA’s request and gave its approval in June 2022. This recruitment process is now underway. The RSA hope to see new testers start work in late Autumn.
