Written Answers Nos. 206-224
206. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the steps, if any, that are being taken to alleviate the current long waiting lists for applicants who are endeavouring to apply for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54929/22]
View answerDue to the COVID pandemic, and the necessary ensuing precautions, I understand that a significant backlog of driver testing services developed. Since public health restrictions have eased, considerable progress has been made, and waiting times have 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 approximately six and a half weeks. This increased to 25 weeks during the pandemic. The pre-pandemic national average target 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.
There has also 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 and many learners who availed of increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test are now becoming eligible.
Having statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test service, early in 2022, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver tester service. This review recommended that the number of permanent driver testers employed by the RSA should be raised from 100 to 130. Following due consideration, my Department gave approval for these additional personnel in June 2022. Recruitment is underway and the RSA hope to see new testers commence work before year end.
207. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with Dublin Airport regarding the availability of cycling equipment and infrastructure in the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54933/22]
View answerThe DAA has the statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport including the provision of sustainable transport infrastructure, including cycling infrastructure, in the airport.
The Capital Investment Programme 2020+ for Dublin Airport considers upgrades to sustainable transport infrastructure, which includes cycling, as vital components to improve overall airport mobility and general sustainability objectives.
In the recent publication of the National Transport Authority’s Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022 to 2042, it is recognised that Dublin Airport – as a major employer, passenger destination and freight hub – access by all modes is vital. The strategy incorporates MetroLink, BusConnects Dublin and demand management measures which will enhance and protect essential access to Dublin Airport, and ensure that it will operate in a sustainable fashion in terms of landside transport. It also acknowledges that surface access to the Airport will be periodically reviewed and improved as necessary.
I have made €289 million available this year to local authorities around the country through the National Transport Authority to progress the delivery of approximately 1200 walking and cycling projects around the country, in addition to an investment of €60 million in our Greenway network funded through Transport Infrastructure Ireland. While no specific engagement with Dublin Airport has taken place to date regarding the availability of cycling equipment and infrastructure in the airport, the Department is continuously exploring ways to encourage the uptake of cycling as a mode of transport and will continue to undertake research into the best possible interventions which could be introduced to encourage modal shift away from private cars.
As the Deputy will be aware, all of our State bodies, including the DAA, are expected to have regard to, and play a role in, wider Government policies including the Climate Action Plan.
208. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided to expand the public transport operating times across counties Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow to match the proposed expanded opening hours of pubs and nightclubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54977/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland; 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 addition, since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the NTA. The allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
In light of the NTA'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 response within ten working days.
209. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if public transport services are proposed to be introduced between the towns of Blessington and Newbridge to allow residents who choose public transport to arrive at their place of work before 9 am each morning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54978/22]
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 possible introduction of public transport services between the towns of Blessington and Newbridge to allow residents to arrive at their place of work before 9 am each morning, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
210. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 211 of 25 October 2022, if he will confirm the person or body that are the stakeholders mentioned. [55049/22]
View answerI can inform the Deputy, that the stakeholders with whom my Department is in consultation regarding the preparation of legislation on horse-drawn carriages for hire or reward, are Dublin City Council, Kerry County Council and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
211. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a breakdown of performance bonuses paid to a company (details supplied) for the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; if he will provide a breakdown for the reason that the bonus was paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55074/22]
View answer212. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the financial penalties that have been issued to a company (details supplied) for each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the reason for the fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55075/22]
View answer213. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a breakdown of performance bonuses paid to a company (details supplied) for operating routes 45a, 185 and 184 routes for each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the reason that the bonuses were paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55076/22]
View answer214. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the financial penalties that have been issued to a company (details supplied) for the 45a, 185 and 184 routes for each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; the reason for the fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55077/22]
View answer215. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if any review has taken place regarding the contract with a company (details supplied); when the contract is due to expire; if a decision has been taken to extend the contact by 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55078/22]
View answer216. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the actions that he or his Department have taken to address the issues in the bus service operated by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55079/22]
View answer217. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the nature of any meeting that he or his Department have had with a company (details supplied); the discussion that took place; the outcome of the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55080/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 217, inclusive, 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 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.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
In relation to the Deputy's specific question about meetings between either myself or my Department and Go-Ahead Ireland, this does not fall within my remit and would not be appropriate. The NTA is engaging regularly with Go Ahead Ireland and the other public transport operators in relation to any service provision issues on the Public Service Obligation network, and that the NTA are providing regular updates to my department in relation to these issues.
In light of the above, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions in relation to Go-Ahead Ireland, to the NTA for directly reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
218. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will take responsibility for ensuring fully accessible transport, including door-to-door services, under his remit to ensure full accessibility and that such services would be covered under the free travel scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55083/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to (open) public transport. I am fully committed to strengthening our public transport offerings and progressively making them accessible for all, especially for disabled people, persons with disabilities, persons with reduced mobility and older people.
However, I must emphasise to the Deputy that specialised non-public (closed) door-to-door services do not fall under my aegis. Dedicated transport services, for example disability type transport services, fall outside of the remit of my Department and its agencies. For further information, the Free travel Scheme comes under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection, and can be used on all PSO funded services and commercial bus services who have opted into the scheme.
219. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Transport if he will request the reinstatement of the Bus Éireann service for Callan, County Kilkenny, given the significant impact that the withdrawal of the X7 Bus Éireann service is having in this rural constituency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55138/22]
View answerI am aware that the X7 Bus Éireann Expressway service ceased operations in 2017. Commercial bus routes, such as the Expressway X7, are licensed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009. Issues regarding revocation of licenses are a matter for the relevant transport operator in consultation with the NTA.
In circumstances where a commercial operator ceases operating a specific route, the NTA undertakes an examination to determine whether, with the discontinuation of the commercial service, it is necessary for a replacement PSO service to be introduced to ensure no loss of connectivity to the travelling public. This process includes an assessment of the level of demand for public transport services in the affected area, an evaluation of whether existing PSO services can be reconfigured to meet any shortfall, or whether it is necessary to competitively tender for the provision of services.
The NTA published an assessment of the transport impact of this withdrawal in February 2017 and it was concluded that the range and availability of alternative public transport services from the locations affected by the withdrawal of Bus Éireann Route X7 were considered adequate to meet demand. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive responses within ten working days.
220. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the project to extend and upgrade the Bandon Relief Road on the N71, including the completion date currently being worked towards. [55163/22]
View answer221. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the project to build a bypass road around Innishannon, County Cork, on the N71. [55164/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 221 together.
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 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 projects on the N71.
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.
222. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department can ensure that transport solutions are put in place for the residents of an accommodation centre (details supplied), given the recent discontinuation of the Tullamore to Athlone service which provided links for these residents. [55233/22]
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 transport solutions for the residents of the Temple Spa Accommodation Centre on the Tullamore to Athlone route, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
223. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to providing public transport options for Dublin airport workers in north Swords who want to be able to get to work without using their cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55237/22]
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 public transport options for Dublin airport workers in North Swords, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
224. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the anticipated date that new routes will come into operation under BusConnects in Cork. [55276/22]
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 and services in our cities, including BusConnects Cork.
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.
