Written Answers Nos. 51-70
51. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to provide park-and-ride facilities to reduce traffic congestion and emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54975/22]
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, including the provision of park and ride facilities.
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.
52. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on his recent attendance at the Rural Ideas Forum. [55582/22]
View answerOn 23 August 2022, I attended the ‘Public Transport and its opportunities for Rural Ireland’ event which was organised by the Department of Rural and Community Development in partnership with my own Department. This event formed part of the Department of Rural and Community Development’s ‘Rural Ideas Forum’ event series.
During the event I outlined how through the ‘Our Rural Future – Rural Development Policy’, we have strongly committed to improving public transport services in rural areas and to piloting new transport initiatives for people of all ages and abilities living there.
A key deliverable among these policies is of course the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan. 'Connecting Ireland' aims to provide better connections between villages and towns by linking these with an enhanced regional network connecting cities and regional centres nationwide, through expanding TFI Local Link services and by prioritising public transport projects that enhance connectivity. The overarching aim of 'Connecting Ireland' is to develop an integrated, accessible, and sustainable network of public transport offerings across Ireland.
I emphasised that the proposed improvements will not only be focussed on enhancing the regular “timetabled” services. Demand-based “door-to-door” services will still be at the core of rural transport. Importantly, the ethos of “community-led transport” will also be maintained.
Following presentations from the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Dingle Creativity and Innovation Hub, there was a panel discussion which included representatives from Irish Rural Link and TFI Donegal Sligo-Leitrim Local Link. Participants at this online event then took part in small group discussions and shared their written responses to key questions on the priority focus, opportunities and challenges around developing public transport over the next twenty years. My colleague, Minister of State Joe O’Brien made closing remarks at the event.
The event was well attended , and it provided a good opportunity to hear a cross section of views from a range of experts and stakeholders. I believe that this was a very useful and practical event and I would like to thank all who attended. The ideas and proposals from the event, which included the importance of accessible transport for all and the role of community public transport services, will assist in the continued rollout of accessible, integrated and sustainable public transport services in rural areas nationwide.
53. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline his Department's intention to improve Iarnród Éireann’s InterCity network, especially the Westport to Dublin Heuston route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55888/22]
View answer74. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his plans to scale capacity, service and increase line speed on the Waterford to Limerick line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55859/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 74 together.
As the Deputies may be aware, the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway infrastructure, including the lines mentioned by the Deputies.
This is the third year of the five-year IMMAC programme, as approved by Government in 2020, and over the five years of the programme in excess of €1.1billion in Exchequer funding will be made available to support delivery of maintenance work across the network. This funding enables the delivery of safe rail services for passengers and will help improve service reliability, punctuality and journey times.
Noting Iarnród Éireann's (IÉ) responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputies' questions to IÉ for a direct reply on the specific matters raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
54. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport his plans to improve the standard of urban cycle lanes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54976/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel infrastructure. The National Transport Authority (NTA) along with the relevant local authorities are responsible for the development and delivery of individual projects.
In support of the quality of infrastructure, and in particular the standard of urban cycle lanes, there is much work underway in terms of core standards to support this. Both the NTA and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are updating relevant documents on cycling and Greenways and urban cycle lanes.
Any new Active Travel infrastructure funded by my Department must be designed in compliance with the guidance and standards set out in the National Cycle Manual, which is currently being revised and updated. This work has been underway for over a year and is geared to reflect best practice including improving design standards. In support of this, the Department of Transport is also working on updates supporting the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS).
In addition to the above, a National Guidelines and Standards Group has been established to oversee and coordinate all guidelines and standards (including cycling and other Active Travel projects) which have been developed by TII, the NTA and Department of Transport. This group comprises of members from each of these bodies as well as the City and County Management Association (CCMA). It also covers the areas of quality control, training and implementation monitoring. Progress to date includes:
- Circulars setting out a framework for guidelines and standards, as well as improved quality control measures;
- Updates to DMURS Guidelines and supporting training on these guidelines, including online workshops and graduate programmes.
55. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to improve the frequency of the bus service in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55883/22]
View answer87. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the additional supports he is providing to the National Transport Authority and Dublin Bus to ensure peak-time bus services are increased to meet the recent increase in demand. [55749/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 87 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.
In addition, since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (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.
This Government is firmly committed to enhancing and expanding our public transport services provision across the country. To support this objective, in Budget 2022, I secured c. €538m of funding for PSO and Local Link services provided by State operators and under contract by the NTA this year. The recently agreed Budget 2023 further helps to support this aim, with a €563million funding package secured to support the PSO services next year.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputies questions in relation to public transport bus frequency, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
56. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the steps his Department is taking to meet the NX bus route demand. [55581/22]
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 question in relation to the Bus Éireann Navan NX route, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
57. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the way the decision to extend the contract of bus services (details supplied) by 12 months was reached, given the companies serial fines for missing service targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55760/22]
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. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to procure public transport services by means of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to Go Ahead Ireland, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days
58. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department is taking to ensure bus services in Dublin are adequately staffed and buses run as scheduled. [55748/22]
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.
Many operators in the sector are experiencing difficulties with staffing difficulties both as a result of COVID-19 related absences and also difficulties in recruiting new drivers.
The NTA is working with operators to try and mitigate the impacts through –
- Recruitment campaigns in recent months with significant numbers of additional drivers expected once required training and tests are completed and licenses issued by the RSA;
- NTA engagement with the RSA to try and expedite the testing and licence process for new bus drivers;
- NTA working with operators to minimise service cancellations, ensure first- and last- service buses operate and on low-frequency routes to avoid, where possible, the cancellation of consecutive low frequency services.
Further, as part of the NTA’s contractual performance monitoring system with operators, issues of poor reliability and punctuality performance can result in financial penalties for those operators.
Operators are forecasting significant improvements in reliability in the coming months, dependent on successful recruitment and retention of critical staff, in particular drivers. It is hoped that this will resolve the reliability issues currently being experienced.
59. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he has any plans to extend the ten-year taxi vehicle licensing rule to 15 years, in view of the significant increase in the cost of used cars and the scarcity of used electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55759/22]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs , is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. As such, the NTA has powers to make regulations in relation to the age limits of SPSVs.
Regulations made by the NTA in 2010 first established an age limit of less than 10 years old for new standard taxis and hackneys. The ten-year rule was adopted in recognition of the need to strike a balance between achieving standards that offer the customer confidence, comfort and safety, and allowing industry members to operate successfully. I would note that the Irish 10-year rule for standard taxis and hackneys is not particularly onerous by comparison with other jurisdictions.
Wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys are permitted to operate up to 15 years of age. No maximum permissible age is prescribed for limousines in recognition of both the vintage nature of many of these vehicles and their generally reduced mileage.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, standard age limits for taxis and hackneys were extended on several occasions, and are currently extended through to the end of 2022. This change helped ensure no operator exited the industry simply because of the need to replace a vehicle.
Since August, a series of global circumstances has, in the NTA’s view, considerably worsened the capability of taxi and hackney licence holders to secure new vehicles, with lead times of one year not uncommon already. Therefore, the NTA proposed to temporarily extend the maximum permissible age for taxis and hackneys with a current final operation date in 2023 and 2024, such that no current vehicle licence holder is forced out of the industry because a replacement vehicle cannot be purchased.
The NTA ran a public consultation on this proposal from 19 September until 12 October 2022. It is expected that the proposal will be considered for approval at either of the November or December meetings of the NTA Board. If approved, the new Regulations will be in place before the end of the year.
60. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the issues causing a recent report (details supplied) of a deterioration in bus services in Dublin city; the remedies being applied by his Department and the various public and private bodies involved in bus transport in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55875/22]
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.
I am aware that all bus operators are experiencing difficulties in recruiting sufficient drivers at present and that this is impacting both the operation of the existing bus routes and the introduction of new routes.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) is working with operators to try and mitigate the impacts through:
- Driver recruitment campaigns;
- engagement with the RSA regarding the testing and licence process for new bus drivers; and
- by working with the operator to minimise service cancellations, ensure first- and last- service buses operate and on low-frequency routes to avoid, where possible, the cancellation of consecutive low frequency services.
Notwithstanding the above, as the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the company, I have referred the question to Dublin Bus for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
61. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to increase the provision of sheltered bus stops. [55632/22]
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, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
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.
62. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the pace of growth of the EV fleet in the main vehicle categories; the main barriers to further adoption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55846/22]
View answerThe uptake of EVs in Ireland has been steadily increasing and has risen from circa 26,000 at the end of 2020, to over 47,000 at the end of 2021 and increasing to over 70,000 to the end of September 2022. The end 2022 figure in the Department's CAP 21 EV pathway was surpassed by the end of July, with EV sales continuing to increase despite overall car registrations being down on the same period last year. EVs now represent over 20% of the market share.
I 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 December 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
63. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on his Department's engagement with the Department of Rural and Community Development regarding co-funding the local improvement scheme, given his Department used to have responsibility for this scheme and the significant demand on the scheme with regard to rural roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55709/22]
View answerThe 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 local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. The maintenance of roads not taken in charge by local authorities is the responsibility of the relevant landowners.
The Local Government Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS). Under that scheme, funding can be provided to local authorities for the construction and improvement of non-public roads (that is roads not taken in charge by local authorities) which meet the criteria set out in the Act.
Up to 2012 this Department did provide ring-fenced funding for this scheme. However, due to the major cutbacks in roads funding arising from the post-2008 financial crisis, it was necessary for the Department to stop providing dedicated funding for LIS in 2012 and there was no funding for LIS in that year.
After that from 2013 to 2017, while there was no separate allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme, local authorities could use a proportion of their Discretionary Grant for the Local Improvement Scheme if they chose to do so. The reason this approach was taken was that it was considered that Councils were best placed to decide whether to concentrate the limited grant funding available on public roads or to operate a local improvement scheme for non-public roads.
In September 2017, the Minister for Rural and Community development reintroduced dedicated funding for the LIS and is continuing to fund the scheme. In light of the significant funding being put into LIS by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the need to direct resources into maintaining and renewing public roads, it was decided that the option of allocating a proportion of the Department's Discretionary Grant to LIS would no longer apply from 2018. This remains the position.
64. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the possible early opening of part of the new N22 around Macroom town on the Cork-Kerry road; the date when the road will be open to traffic; if additional costs have been incurred or will be incurred to open the road early and, if so, the monetary amount involved; if there are any implications regarding future liability in the event of defects or snags associated with an earlier opening date; if he will provide an update detailing the works that are currently completed on this section of new road; if he will provide an update on the remaining section between Macroom and Baile Bhuirne, with an anticipated completion timeline for this section also; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55816/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.
I can confirm that Cork County Council and the contractor for the N22 scheme have agreed that the Macroom Bypass section will open to traffic on December 9th.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a more detailed update on the project as a whole. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
65. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport if he will issue a policy direction to the National Transport Authority to ensure students from County Donegal and other Borders counties in the State travelling to their third level education in the North of Ireland can avail of the same price reductions for the use of public transport as all other students. [55769/22]
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 independent Transport Regulator, 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 Young Adult Card (YAC) was introduced on PSO services on the 9th of May and then extended to participating commercial bus operators on the 4th of September. This will not only promote modal shift in the transport sector among this age group but should also contribute towards a reduced reliance on private transport with associated benefit of transport emission savings.
The scheme is of great benefit to students attending third level institutions, as students can avail of a 50% reduction over the normal adult fares charges on the entire route, assuming that the origin of the journey and the third level institution are both in the Irish State.
The NTA has informed me that where a service runs from Ireland into Northern Ireland a discount is still available, but is based on the proportion of the journey carried out in the State. For example, if 90% of the journey is through Ireland and the other 10% is through Northern Ireland, then the 50% discount will just apply to the 90% of the journey within the State.
In light of the above I do not intend to issue a policy direction to the NTA nor would this be appropriate.
66. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the current spend on BusConnects Cork to date; and the estimated timeline for the delivery of same. [55824/22]
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 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.
67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on his Department's active travel spend, broken down by local authority for 2022, in tabular form; his plans to ensure fair distribution and management of this funding, including clear project timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55355/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. €289 million was allocated to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2022 to fund walking and cycling around the country. The NTA works with the local authorities to determine funding for specific projects and oversees their development.
Noting the NTA's role in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for an up-to-date, detailed reply . Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
68. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the improvements being undertaken to improve the waiting times for driving test appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55397/22]
View answerDue to the COVID pandemic, and the necessary ensuing precautions, 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 10 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 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.
The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and 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. 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.
69. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the way his Department can help communities affected by the poor roll-out and implementation of the G-spine BusConnects route [55585/22]
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 NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question in relation to the G-Spine Bus Connects service, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
70. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the establishment of a small capital grant for mountain and sub-aqua rescue and recovery groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54973/22]
View answerThe Department of Transport provides an annual grant to support the search and rescue activities of Mountain and Cave Rescue Teams and Community Inshore Rescue Boats, provided from the Irish Coast Guard budget.
Under the national Search and Rescue (SAR) plan the Coast Guard is required to discharge Ireland’s obligations by implementing the SAR plan for all incidents occurring in the maritime domain, or as otherwise requested by SAR authorities in other domains.
An Garda Síochána is responsible for land-based search and rescue and the coordination of searches and investigations for missing persons. Operations involving searching for and/or recovering the remains of persons involved in tragic incidents are conducted under the authority of An Garda Síochána.
Voluntary search groups also receive occasional funding from other government sources including the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and local authorities. Water Safety Ireland implement a VAT exemption scheme applicable to independent maritime search organisations.
