Written Answers Nos. 51-70
51. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made on the implementation of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan; and the improvements that have been made in County Mayo. [46351/22]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland, including in County Mayo, 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.
52. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the actions that he plans to take to address the ongoing service issues in the Greater Dublin Area, with specific regard to the bus services operated by an organisation (details supplied) including the 33A, 33B, and 102 services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46139/22]
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 ongoing service issues in the Greater Dublin Area, with bus services operated by Go-Ahead Ireland including the 33A, 33B, and 102 services, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
53. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport his plans to follow the example of other countries in relation to reducing the costs of public transport and moving to a free and frequent public transport system nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46235/22]
View answer56. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will re-examine the policy on free public transport in light of recent moves in a number of EU Member States to reduce fares and its impact on numbers increasing on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45701/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 56 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 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.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have forwarded the Deputies questions in relation to free public transport, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
54. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the rate of expenditure of government allocations for walking and cycling infrastructure within Mayo County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46352/22]
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 that funding to local authorities, and this year over €5 million was allocated to Mayo County Council for Active Travel projects. The NTA works with all local authorities to determine funding for specific projects within their area and oversees their development.
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 10 working days.
55. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 332 of 14 June 2022, the progress that has been made to-date on the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities in Galway; the status of the National Transport Authority Park and Ride Development Office Park and Ride Study for Galway; the status of the site options analysis and feasibility studies for each of the zones identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46313/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in our cities, including park and ride facilities.
I note the NTA's response of 25th July to your previous Question of 14th June. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for any further update that may be relevant. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
57. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans for a pedestrian crossing or flyover at the roundabout at the M1-R104 intersection located in Santry, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46281/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is responsible for the development and implementation of public and sustainable transport infrastructure, allocating the funding provided by my Department at project level and working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the NTA's responsibilities 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 10 working days.
58. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if the action within the new Road Safety Strategy to explore the potential of an online portal for road users to upload footage of road traffic offences which could assist in prosecution, is on schedule for completion in Quarter 4 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46322/22]
View answerThe Road Safety Strategy Action in question is one for the Garda to implement. I understand that consideration of this issue is part of a wider consideration by the Garda of submission of digital evidence to the Garda by the public. It is my understanding that this Action is on course, and I look forward to the outcome.
59. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the investment in public transport per person in rural areas versus Dublin city. [46285/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand. In addition, the NTA also has responsibility for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the investment in public transport per person in rural areas versus Dublin city, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
60. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Oylegate to Rosslare bypass in Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45549/22]
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 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.
62. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the calls made by taxi representative groups at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications for supports for their industry (details supplied); his plans to support the calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46270/22]
View answerMany of the issues raised by industry representatives are matters for the NTA, as the independent regulator of the sector and, in this context, the NTA is constantly in contact with taxi operators, drivers, and representatives.
The following are supports introduced in recent years to assist the sector as it dealt with, and now recovers from, the COVID-19 pandemic:
- The eSPSV Grant Scheme to which I allocated €15m toward this year alone and which supports drivers in their transition to zero / low emission vehicles;
- The eSPSV Business Loan provided by Microfinance Ireland to support those SPSV owners accessing the eSPSV Grant Scheme but who are unable to secure finance from financial institutions;
- Government’s generally applicable reduction in fuel related duties introduced this year;
- The NTA’s previous extensions of the Maximum Permissible Age for vehicles which ensured no operator exited the industry simply because of the need to replace a vehicle;
- The NTA’s launch of a driver recruitment campaign this summer to promote the sector as a place of employment for people;
- The NTA’s recent announcement of new fares which are weighted in favour of those drivers working at unsocial hours, like nights and bank holidays.
In addition the NTA has this week announced a public consultation on a further extension to the Maximum Permissible Age of vehicles in recognition of the difficulties currently being experienced by operators in sourcing new vehicles.
I have no plans to dissolve the Advisory Committee on Small Public Service Vehicles. The Committee has played an important role in advising my Department and the National Transport Authority (NTA) on the issues facing the industry and on how ensure its future sustainability.
The Committee is the primary forum for dealing with issues affecting the sector. Many of the measures taken to support the taxi industry, throughout the pandemic and more recently, have originated as recommendations from the Committee.
Since the start of pandemic I have, on three occasions, met with the Advisory Committee on Small Public Services (SPSVs). I also met with a group of representatives of several taxi associations/unions on two occasions, and also with representatives of taxi dispatch operators in November last. Other members of Government, including the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, have also met with taxi driver representatives.
The Advisory Committee has been and will remain the central focus on engagement with the SPSV sector in relation to issues affecting the sector.
63. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the status of a light rail system in Cork; and the stations that will be on the northside of Cork city. [46246/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in our cities, including, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the provision of light rail.
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.
64. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to improve public transport connectivity in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45983/22]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of public transport services and Connecting Ireland, including in Charleville, Co. Cork, 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.
67. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the measures considered to address the road safety issues on the Macroom to Ballincollig stretch of the N22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46251/22]
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 management and operation 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.
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.
68. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the actions taken by his Department to increase the number of taxis in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46253/22]
View answerBoth the NTA and my Department have taken a number of steps to support taxi drivers nationally:
- The NTA’s recent announcement of new fares which are weighted in favour of those drives working at unsocial hours, like nights and bank holidays. 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.
- The NTA’s launch of a driver recruitment campaign this summer to promote the sector as a place of employment for people. It is hoped that the expected increase in the number of drivers following this campaign, will impact the numbers available to work during the early hours of the morning, particularly at weekends.
- The eSPSV Grant Scheme to which I allocated €15m toward this year alone and which supports drivers in their transition to zero / low emission vehicles. The number of eSPSV grants administered has been encouraging, with 1052 grants paid between the beginning of the scheme in 2018 to 16th September 2022, with associated funding of €18,524,500m.
- The eSPSV Business Loan provided by Microfinance Ireland to support those SPSV owners accessing the eSPSV Grant Scheme but who are unable to secure finance from financial institutions.
- Government’s generally applicable reduction in fuel related duties introduced earlier this year.
- The NTA’s previous extensions of the Maximum Permissible Age for vehicles during the Covid-19 pandemic, which ensured no operator exited the industry simply because of the need to replace a vehicle.
In addition, the NTA has this week announced a public consultation on a further extension to the Maximum Permissible Age of vehicles in recognition of the difficulties currently being experienced by operators in sourcing new vehicles.
In recognition of the fact that some SPSV drivers have not worked since the start of the pandemic, the NTA also extended the period to 24 months that an SPSV licence may rest in inactive status after expiry (previously 12 months). This measure, which is permanent, was introduced to facilitate drivers returning to the sector as society and the economy re-opened, and passenger demand for taxi services increases.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department and the NTA continue to assess the situation of the SPSV sector, and to monitor the demand and supply situation in this sector.
69. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will directly intervene and press for the Road Safety Authority to commit to a permanent driver test centre for Drogheda considering the fact that Drogheda is the largest town in Ireland along with the longest wait times in the country which is completely unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46100/22]
View answerUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test.
This is an operational matter for the RSA and I do not have any role in this process. This question is therefore being referred 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.
70. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the roll-out of the G1 and G2 Bus Connect services; and when these services are likely to commence. [46202/22]
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 the BusConnects programme and associated network redesign.
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.
