Written Answers Nos. 176-194
176. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the duplication of services on Bus Éireann PSO routes 470, 483 and 493, which are also served by local link services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63702/22]
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 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 duplication of services on Bus Éireann PSO routes 470, 483 and 493 which are also served by local link services to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
177. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to extending the disabled persons' parking permit scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63709/22]
View answerThe Disabled Parking Permit (also known as the European Parking Card or Disabled Parking Badge) is available to people living in Ireland whose mobility is severely restricted, whether they are drivers or passengers, and also to those who are registered blind.
The possibility of extending the eligibility criteria for the scheme to include people with certain invisible disabilities, including autism, has been raised on a number of occasions and the Department has consulted extensively with the joint issuing authorities of the scheme, the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association, on this matter. In light of this consultation, there are currently no plans to change the criteria.
Issuing a large number of extra permits by extending the eligibility criteria would put the scheme under significant additional pressure and compromise the availability of disabled parking spaces to people with restricted mobility, for whom accessible parking is essential. The Department intends to undertake a review of the Disabled Parking Permit scheme in 2023 in which this issue may be considered further.
178. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the reason that persons booking an NCT now have to pay up front; if he will provide an option to pay in cash, possibly through the post office network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63719/22]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query 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.
179. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that all bus stops in Shannon town, County Clare have current and accurate timetables for the 343 bus service on display; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63766/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects.
The issue raised in relation to bus stops in Shannon town, County Clare having current and accurate timetables for the 343-bus service are a matter in the first instance for Bus Éireann, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA).
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann and the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
180. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if it is intended to provide a passing loop on the rail line between Ennis and Limerick to enable a more frequent service to be provided between Galway and Limerick (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63769/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance. This includes any works on the rail line between Ennis and Limerick.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
181. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers who have travelled on the Limerick to Galway rail services in each of the past five years; the constraints to improving the services on this line in terms of frequency and capacity of trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63770/22]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issues raised regarding the number of passengers that have travelled on the Limerick to Galway rail services in each of the past five years, and the constraints to improving the services on this line are operational matters for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
182. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport when catering facilities will resume on the Dublin to Cork train; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63787/22]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised by the Deputy regarding the resumption of catering services on board Iarnród Éireann intercity rail services is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann, and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
I also understand that many of the stations on the Intercity network have existing retail / catering facilities available for customers, and Iarnród Éireann have advised that they will work with CIÉ Property in the interim period to further enhance, where possible, station-based retail and catering options for customers while also working towards the resumption of on-board catering as soon as possible.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
183. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if the DART+ Coastal North project will make provision for additional rail capacity between Connolly and Malahide stations; if the existing plans will mean that Enterprise services between Dublin and Belfast will have to slow on this section of track to accommodate the additional DART services on the line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63796/22]
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 DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal North.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question 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.
184. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if separating the building of Dublin Airport’s north runway from the construction of a planned underpass tunnel was the most cost-effective option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63799/22]
View answer185. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if reports are correct in relation to non-commercial passenger traffic arriving at Dublin Airport having to disembark and drive over 8 km around Dublin Airport’s perimeter to exit the airport; and if so, the reason that this is happening given that a more logical approach is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63800/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport including construction and planning matters relating to the north runway and the underpass tunnel.
Accordingly, as the issue raised by the Deputy is an operational one, I have forwarded your request to daa for a direct response. If a response is not received within 10 days, please contact my private office.
186. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether it is either just or equitable to invest heavily in Dublin Airport given that smaller provincial airports are frequently left searching for funding (details supplied). [63801/22]
View answerdaa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport, which they do on a commercial basis with no recourse to Exchequer funding. On that basis, investment in Dublin Airport is solely a matter for daa.
That said, Government acknowledges the value of aviation in supporting economic development, international connectivity and tourism via airports. With regard to our regional airports, Government policy seeks to optimise conditions for regional development and connectivity, both for social and economic benefits. In line with these objectives, through Exchequer funded programmes my Department has provided over €130m in targeted capital and operational supports to our regional airports over the past 10 years. This funding has supported vital safety and security related projects and activities at our smallest regional airports i.e., those that provide connectivity and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers. This investment has ensured that these airports have remained compliant with EU safety and security related obligations.
Furthermore, to encourage airports to reduce emissions and build climate resilience, the scope of the current Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025, which was published by my Department in 2021, was expanded to also support projects with a sustainability focus.
In addition to these targeted supports, an unprecedented €116m in Exchequer funding was provided to Irish airports in 2021 under an EU State aid approved COVID-19 Supplementary Support Scheme for Irish airports. This funding has compensated our small regional airports at Donegal, Ireland West and Kerry for the damage caused to them by COVID as well as having provided our State airports with the flexibility to roll out route incentives/charge rebates, in consultation with airlines, greatly supporting recovery and growth of connectivity.
Government has sustained these substantial high level supports to regional airports, with a total package of €36m announced in Budget 2023. This funding will provide €16m in current and €20m in capital funding, supporting regional airports at Shannon, Cork, Ireland West, Donegal, and Kerry in 2023. Current funding will also support Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services between Donegal and Dublin.
This level of funding is a clear indication of the importance Government attaches to our regional airports being well positioned for growth. Exchequer funding provided to date has enabled the strong recovery of traffic through our regional airports last year, with airports forecasting an even stronger 2023 above 2019 passenger levels.
187. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to downgrade or close the NDLS centres in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63809/22]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
188. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if a response will issue to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to taxpayer-funded services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63839/22]
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.
It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that 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.
The issues raised by the Deputy are an operational matter the companies concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's questions to Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
189. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport when a first-time learner permit application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be processed; and the reason for the delay. [63847/22]
View answerAll enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to individual applications.
190. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons who are currently awaiting a date to sit their driving test, broken down by test centre, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63869/22]
View answer204. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the waiting times associated with each RSA driving testing centre, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63982/22]
View answer209. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons who are currently awaiting a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63987/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 190, 204 and 209 together.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test and deals with all application and scheduling matters. Therefore I have referred the relevant parts of the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
On the broader issue of driver testing delays, I am informed that the current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include: an increase in learner permits in circulation which has grown by about 30% since Q3 2019; increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test when the service resumed post Covid-19 pandemic and an increase in Advanced Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers which has increased the volume of learners becoming eligible and ready to take their actual test.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the RSA is making every effort to address this issue. The Authority conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver testing service in 2022, following which my Department sanctioned an increase in the permanent driver tester headcount from 100 to 130.
I am informed that the RSA is currently deploying a number of successful candidates across the driver testing service, with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists. It is expected that the remainder will be deployed by Q1 2023.
The RSA has assured me that they are keeping the situation under constant review and the Authority will report back to my Department on the steps being taken to continue to reduce waiting times. If sanction requests for further increases in driver testers are received, my Department will evaluate them promptly.
191. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport the status of an application under the safer routes to school scheme by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63873/22]
View answerIn March 2021, I launched the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme which will support Active Travel infrastructure for selected schools around the country. The programme aims to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools and to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities. This will help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure.
931 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June 2021 that they were selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme with a further 108 schools recently selected for Round 2. The Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is supported by the Department of Education. An Taisce’s Green Schools team is coordinating the programme, while funding will be made available to local authorities who will play a key part in delivering the infrastructure along access routes and at the school gate.
I am aware that the school referred to in the Deputy's question has submitted an application under the Safe Routes to School Programme but was not selected for inclusion in either Round 1 or Round 2 of the programme. Given the nature of the programme, all 931 schools who applied will enter the programme on a rolling basis and there will be no requirement for those schools to reapply. Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question in relation to the status of this specific application to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
192. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will instruct the NTA to act in relation to requests from taxi drivers regarding the regulations to temporarily extend the maximum permissible age of taxis and hackneys; if he will advocate for an extension of two years for all taxi cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63889/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the 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. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
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 so that no current vehicle licence holder is forced out of the industry because a replacement vehicle cannot be purchased.
The NTA introduced new Regulations on 18 November last, permitting an extension to the final operation date of vehicles due to reach their final date of operation/maximum permissible age between 13 March 2020 and 31 December 2024. The purpose of these Regulations is to amend Regulation 31 (Maximum Permissible Age Requirements) of the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015. This amendment is made as an exceptional provision and contingency measure, as a result of current vehicle supply issues. The NTA is contacting SPSV licence holders to confirm the new final operation date of their current licensed vehicle.
193. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide sufficient funding for the local improvement scheme to ensure that the backlog can be cleared within a five-year timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63914/22]
View answer194. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide funding for community roads under the local improvement scheme to ensure that the backlog can be cleared within a two-year timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63915/22]
View answer195. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he will conduct a review of the local improvement scheme in view of the fact that it is estimated to take 60 years to clear the backlog in some counties, notably County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63916/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 to 195, inclusive, together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads which have been taken in charge 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 and this has remained the position.
