Written Answers Nos. 71-92
71. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport his views on ensuring that Castletownbere is classified as a larger town with the Connection Ireland plan to ensure that the Beara peninsula is assigned the necessary scale of routes. [46044/22]
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 Connecting Ireland, including in Castletownbere and the wider Beara peninsula, 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.
72. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the current position regarding the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46334/22]
View answerThere has been good progress in delivering key elements of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) which was published in 2020 including on active travel projects, BusConnects Cork, the Cork Commuter Rail Programme and proposals for light rail.
CMATS was developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork County Council. Noting the NTA's role in the development of the strategy, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply in relation to progress on its delivery. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
73. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Connecting Ireland programme; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45684/22]
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, 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.
74. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the steps that his Department is taking to ensure that the cycling and walking officer roles that are funded by his Department, are being filled within Dublin City Council. [46203/22]
View answerMy Department announced funding in January 2021 for up to 248 new posts in local authorities to expand walking and cycling facilities all over the country. This increase in resourcing reflects the €1.8 billion in funding committed to walking and cycling over the planned lifetime of the Government. The additional staff will be dedicated to delivering and promoting Active Travel in Ireland and will work across design, communication, community liaison and construction oversight.
Recruitment processes have met with varying degrees of success, with some local authorities finding it difficult to fill certain vacant roles due to a number of factors including a shortage of applicants given the strength of the economy and the impact of both COVID-19 and Brexit on the traditional movement of potential recruits around Europe. The National Transport Authority has been working closely with all the local authorities, including Dublin City Council, to deliver the additional resourcing plan for Active Travel, and reports progress on this recruitment to my Department on a quarterly basis.
The latest figures from the NTA show that as of end August 2022, Dublin City Council's Active Travel team consists of 28 staff members. It is understood that recruitment processes are ongoing in many of the local authorities, and my Department is monitoring this closely, together with the NTA , in order to ensure that Councils around the country are well equipped to deliver high-standard, safe and user-friendly infrastructure and other Active Travel initiatives going forward.
75. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene to prevent the cessation of public transport routes in east Waterford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45815/22]
View answer82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46129/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 82 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, while the majority of public transport in Ireland is provided by the publicly-subvented bus and rail services funded through National Transport Authority's (NTA) public service obligation (PSO) programme, the public transport system also includes non-subvented bus services provided on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying size.
I would like to advise the Deputy that the decision taken by Suirway to withdraw its commuter services in east Waterford, at the end of October, and Buggys Coaches to withdraw its commuter services on its Kilkenny route at the end of September, are commercial decisions for the company. The Deputy will appreciate that Suirway and Buggys Coaches, like all other commercial businesses, are responsible for managing its own resources in respect of its commercial services.
The NTA, which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally by way of public transport services contracts, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators, will assess whether Suirway and Buggys Coaches decisions to withdraw their services will give rise to any loss of connectivity. The Authority will also consider whether there is a need to provide additional public service obligation services in the affected areas.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that the NTA has advised that this matter is a high priority for them, and they will advise the Department of their findings as soon as their review process is complete.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which plans for the electrification of the Dublin to Maynooth rail line are actively in hand when the project is likely to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46362/22]
View answer92. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding DART plus; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45681/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 92 together.
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, which includes the DART+ Programme and the various projects therein.
In December of last year, the Government approved the DART+ programme in principle and gave specific approvals for the purchase of 95 additional electric and battery-electric rail carriages as part of DART+ Fleet and for a Railway Order application to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála by Iarnród Éireann in respect of DART+ West. I am pleased to inform the Deputies that a down payment was made for these new carriages at the end of last year, which are expected to enter service in 2025, while DART+ West was submitted to An Bord Pleanála on 29th July.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputies' questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
78. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he has identified the barriers to adoption of electric modes of travel; and if he is developing measures to address them. [45648/22]
View answerI am acutely aware that the cost of electric vehicles remains an issue for many consumers and that supply chain issues globally have also proven difficult. These have been exacerbated by international events.
Ireland is at the beginning of its transition to private electric transport. Within a few years I anticipate there will be a viable second hand market that will provide a more affordable pathway to the purchase of an EV. In addition, the motor industry is planning to bring more affordable electric vehicles onto the market.
My Department convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. This Group considered a variety of regulatory, financial, and taxation policies to accelerate EV adoption. The Group also examined the issue of price parity between EVs and ICE vehicles and found that parity in respect of the Total Cost of Ownership is likely to be achieved later on this decade, driven by falling battery prices and savings due to economies of scale.
In the meantime, in order to support the transition to EVs, the Group recommended that the generous suite of EV supports already in place in Ireland should be retained until at least end-2022. Additional measures to further incentivise EVs and/or disincentivise fossil fuelled vehicles will also be necessary. Cost-effective, targeted policy supports should continue to be developed and strengthened over the coming years.
An Implementation Group has been established to progress the recommendations and consider further potential measures and barriers to the adoption of the EVs. This Group will report on its progress to Government in Q4 of this year.
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 with further information available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
The use of e-bikes is proving to be an increasingly popular method of travel, encouraging more people to switch to cycling and to cycle longer distances. A particular barrier to use of e-bikes can be the price as they are often more expensive than a regular bike. Bearing this in mind, and referencing the commitment by the Government to continue the provision of increased funding to Active Travel measures, I can assure the Deputy that potential incentives to encourage the purchase of bikes and e-bikes are being considered as part of the budgetary process.
Finally, there are provisions in the Road Traffic and Roads Bill to legislate for the use of powered personal transporters, specifically e-scooters. When the Bill is passed, I, as Minister, will have the power to make regulations for the use of this new category of vehicles on our roads.
80. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the steps that his Department is taking to ensure that Ireland harnesses the potential of the Connecting Europe Facility fund which will make €5.12 billion available for projects to help increase the sustainability of the transport network, including rail infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46323/22]
View answerThe Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Transport is an EU funding programme that aims to develop and complete the trans-European transport (TEN-T) network, with 60% of the budget to be allocated to projects that support the EU's climate objectives.
CEF funding comes in the form of co-funding grants that are awarded via competitive calls. Calls are open to projects across the EU and are usually heavily oversubscribed. Co-funding rates differ depending on the conditions of each call but for Irish projects these typically range from 30% to 50% of eligible costs.
The CEF Transport 2022 funding call was launched by the EU Commission on 13 September. It has an overall budget of €5.12 billion which is divided into a number of separate calls focused on various funding priorities.
The total budget of the calls for which Irish projects are eligible is €2.47 billion. The areas covered by these calls include: railways, maritime ports, roads, freight terminals, infrastructure resilience, transport information systems, and passenger hubs.
We circulated information on the call by email to our CEF mailing list on 13 September. The Department's twitter account published a series of tweets on the call on the same date. We have also updated the gov.ie information page on CEF and TEN-T (www.gov.ie/en/publication/331b18-trans-european-network-for-transport-ten-t-and-connecting-europe-fac/) with relevant information and links.
These communications all include a registration link for the EU's virtual information day on the call which will take place on 5 October. My Department also intends to hold its own information day for Irish stakeholders in October, we expect to be able to confirm the exact date soon.
The Department is required to endorse any applications from Ireland and my officials aim to review and provide feedback to all applicants on their proposals. To facilitate this process, we have set deadlines by which information should be submitted to us. These deadlines are available on the gov.ie information page on CEF and TEN-T.
My officials have already engaged with a number of prospective Irish applicants, including Irish Rail, on the funding opportunities available under this year's CEF call. Officials in the Department remain available to provide information on the call to anyone considering making an application.
81. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the date on which Kishogue train station will open to the public; the cost of same; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45995/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann (IÉ), Kishogue station.
I am informed by the NTA that extensive work will need to be carried out by Iarnród Éireann on Kishogue Station before it can be brought into use, including meeting present day accessibility and systems requirements which are above and beyond the original design.
The additional investment to open the station will total circa €3.8 million and it is anticipated that the station will become operational for the public in 2023.
84. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has received a Public Service Obligation application from an organisation (details supplied) in terms of a service established between Shannon Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46096/22]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department is currently considering a request from Shannon Airport in relation to the establishment of a Public Service Obligation (PSO) route to provide EU Hub connectivity from Shannon Airport.
To date policy on regional airports has been largely influenced by the need to optimise conditions for regional development and connectivity. While the establishment of air services is a commercial matter between airports, airlines and other market actors, the Regional Airports Programme provides for a PSO air services scheme in compliance with Regulation (EC) No. 1008/2008. Under this scheme financial support is provided to airlines that operate essential air services to isolated areas – those not adequately served by alternative transport services to administrative, business, education and medical centres.
With regard to expanding current PSO services, over the past 10 years Ireland has significantly rationalised PSO air services, with only one such route now supported under this scheme between Donegal/Dublin. It would be a significant shift to expand Government policy for the support of PSO services beyond that of support on domestic routes. It would also be important to consider the potential impact of such a policy, not only on the Exchequer, but also on similar routes operating on a commercial basis from other regional airports.
Furthermore, it is Government policy that State-owned airports operate on a fully commercial basis without recourse to Exchequer funding. However, in light of the devastating impacts of COVID-19 and in recognition of the importance of Shannon Airport and Cork Airport to their respective regional and local economies, government provided on an exceptional basis funding to both Shannon and Cork airports.
In addition to the horizontal COVID-19 supports provided to all businesses, over €22 million in Exchequer supports were allocated to Shannon Airport in 2021. This year, in light of its suppressed passenger numbers, Shannon Airport can also avail of supports under the Regional Airports Programme. I allocated €4.3m in capital funding to Shannon Airport in April which will support the completion of a broad range of safety, security and sustainability focused projects. Shannon Airport is also eligible for operational grant-aid under the Programme which I will allocate to eligible airports later this year from an overall budget of €22 million. Shannon Airport will remain eligible for funding under the Programme in 2023.
While I am satisfied that substantial Exchequer support recently provided to Shannon Airport has positioned the Airport for recovery and growth into the future, I have asked my department to expedite the consideration of this request.
86. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will re-examine the role of the National Transport Authority in the provision of bus services across Ireland given the recent failures of their tendering and contracting process in relation to public service obligation services, specifically the attempt to contract out the 101 Bus Éireann service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45699/22]
View answerIt is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) , under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and EU Regulation 1370/2007, to determine the appropriate mix of directly awarded and competitively tendered PSO services.
International experience indicates that introducing competitive tension into our PSO bus market (i.e., a mixture of direct award and then competitively tendered contracts) provides potential value for money benefits.
It is well-recognised that good public transport is a key enabler of both social inclusion and economic progress and opening up the bus market forms part of this Government's commitment to improving our public transport system and services.
The operation of bus route 101 along with 133 was put out to tender by the NTA last year and the NTA announced that Bus Éireann was there preferred bidder. The new services are due to become operational in early 2023.
I have no plans to re-examine the role of the NTA in the provision of bus services across Ireland.
87. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport his views on improving security and safety on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46211/22]
View answerThe safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are important matters that, first and foremost, must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is also engaged with public transport operators regarding the issue of anti-social behaviour.
The Department has also been engaging regularly with the NTA and the three CIÉ companies, on the issue of anti-social behaviour and a significant number of actions have been taken. These include;
- On the 29th of July, Iarnród Éireann, Transdev & An Garda Síochána carried out a joint awareness day (operation twintrack) to prevent anti-social behaviour on our services and to raise awareness of staying safe on public transport.
- Joint Garda & Iarnród Éireann high visibility public safety operations took place across the network over the Easter period with a number of fines issued. Reportable ASB incidents on Irish Rail have reduced from 654 in 2020 to 549 in 2021.
- IÉ Security Centre at Howth Junction - Iarnród Éireann have appointed a supervisory team who coordinates the security response in the Greater Dublin Area. Additionally, there is the deployment of public facing Security Teams in identified Anti-social behaviour hot spots across the DART and Rail Network.
- There are nine Rapid Response Hubs in operation across the IÉ Intercity Network with the latest, Mullingar, having come into operation on 9th May 2022 (The 9 locations: Mallow, Limerick Junction, Thurles, Portlaoise, Athlone, Kildare, Longford, Castlerea and Mullingar). These hubs are now fully operational with all onboard staff having dedicated phone numbers for each of the hub locations in the event they require assistance. These hubs provide reassurance for both staff and customers. The Kilkenny hub is also due to come into operation today, which will complete the first phase of this initiative, bringing the total number of Rapid Response Hubs in operation to ten. This means should on-board staff request assistance by calling ahead to the next Garda Rapid Response Hub, they will receive priority service to deal with any issue. Since coming into operation, this level of response from An Garda Síochána has had a very positive impact in reducing the potential for such passenger issues escalating.
- Iarnród Éireann have recruited a Security Enforcement & Compliance Manager and a Crime Prevention & Antisocial Behaviour Officer to design out crime.
- CCTV is available on most trains and has successfully been used on numerous occasions in securing prosecutions. They are also in place in stations.
- A DART text alert line has been established for discrete reporting of Anti-Social incidents.
- In respect of Dublin Services, Public Transport Hubs have been established for Heuston Plaza and Connolly Plaza. A third one at Broombridge, Cabra, will come into operation shortly. This is a Joint initiative between public transport providers Iarnród Éireann/Transdev (LUAS)/Dublin Bus/Bus Éireann and An Garda Síochána Community Engagement Units at Kevin Street, Store Street and Cabra.
- Transdev/ LUAS employ 50 security staff. These staff are involved in maintaining safety and security on the Luas, along with enforcing the Luas bye-laws. They liaise with An Garda Síochána regularly as part of their work.
- In relation to security on our public bus services, the entire Dublin Bus fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras, with up to 11 internal cameras and three external cameras fitted on the more modern vehicles in the fleet. Each vehicle is equipped with a radio, which facilitates immediate contact to the Central Control Centre.
- Dublin Bus has also re-introduced their Schools Education Programme (previously suspended due to Covid-19) which involves educating young people about the importance of the bus in their lives and in their local community. The work of their School and Community Co-ordinators has also proven highly successful in encouraging young people to respect their bus and has assisted greatly in the reduction of incidents of anti-social behaviour.
- Beyond this Dublin Bus has a strong and close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and have set up a number of community forums in different areas across the city. These forums are made up of Dublin Bus representatives, the Gardaí, local area representatives, community groups and Trade Union Representatives.
- Bus Éireann has similarly also invested in extensive CCTV coverage throughout its fleet for the protection of passengers and staff. Emergency support for drivers is provided through 24-hour control centres and any incidents of anti-social behaviour are fully investigated and followed up with An Garda Síochána as required.
- All Bus Éireann city and town buses are fitted with driver security screens. Security personnel are employed in our larger bus stations and extensive CCTV is also in operation throughout all stations to ensure the security of our staff, customers and property. Furthermore, customer research shows that 93% of Bus Éireann customers feel safe and secure during their journeys.
Further, the Third National Strategy for Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence references the implementation of specific Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence actions in the annual public transport passenger safety and personal security report (action 1.6.3 in the Implementation Plan). The NTA have advised that they are in the process of designing the report contents, with the detailed work due to be undertaken next year, which will supplement the Authority’s annual customer survey on satisfaction with their personal safety on board public transport as well as at the stop/station. The first Annual public transport passenger safety and personal security report will be delivered next year.
The combined interventions implemented to date across our public transport services have substantially helped to tackle anti-social behaviour; however, this is an issue which will require on-going monitoring. As such, I am committed to continuing to work collectively with all stakeholders to ensure the safest possible travel environment for members of the public, and the safest possible working environment for the employees providing our valuable public transport services.
88. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will review train schedules and timetables between Cork and Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45982/22]
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 raised by the Deputy regarding train schedules and timetables between Cork and Limerick is an operational matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded 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.
90. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made with the roll-out of Connecting Ireland bus services; the amount allocated to the project in 2022; the estimated expenditure in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46274/22]
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 Budget 2022, I was delighted to secure an allocation of €5.6m to progress, develop and begin delivery of this important plan. To keep this momentum going, I am continuing to work closely with my colleagues in Government to secure funding for the continued rollout of Connecting Ireland over its 5-year implementation period, which started earlier this year. The 2023 allocation will be finalised in the coming weeks as part of the Estimates and Budgetary process.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of services under Connecting Ireland, 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.
