Written Answers Nos. 56-75
56. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the situation with respect to plans to provide a bypass for Castlemartyr and possibly Killeagh in east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10410/23]
View answer72. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the reason the N25 upgrade between Midleton and Carrigtwohill, County Cork, was not included in this year’s grant allocation for national roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10409/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 72 together.
As 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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status and funding of these proposed projects.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
57. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the measures he will take to address the interference of drone activity on civil aviation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10511/23]
View answer64. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the measures his Department proposes to adopt to ensure operations at Irish airports are not impeded by the illegal flying of drones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10270/23]
View answer74. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the contingency plans in place for drone attacks and illegal use of drones at Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10355/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 64 and 74 together.
Minister Ryan and I take the matter of illegal drone use at airports extremely seriously. In addition to the considerable disruption caused to passengers, this activity poses a genuine safety risk to aviation.
Irish airports have procedures in place to handle the risk posed by illegal drone activity, developed in accordance with guidance on managing drone safety risk issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In the case of Dublin Airport, a safety critical area has been defined and a risk assessment is maintained. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is in place to ensure that appropriate actions are taken when a drone is observed in the vicinity of the critical area. This includes procedures for confirming detections and sightings, informing air traffic control and An Garda Síochána, suspending operations, sweeping the airfield and safe restart of operations.
The current procedures in place at Dublin Airport, while disruptive to flights, have proved effective in ensuring safety.
Minister Ryan and I are actively engaging with the daa and other relevant state agencies on the recent incidents of illegal drone activity at Dublin airport and on potential measures to deter any future activity of this nature. We received briefings from relevant bodies after both the St Brigid’s weekend incidents and the most recent incident on 21 February and will continue to support the relevant authorities in investigating these incidents and in vigorously pursuing prosecutions.
Through cross government engagement we will strengthen our ability to deal with such incidents, including working at pace on the potential deployment of enhanced technological solutions.
Many of the counter drone measures available are used primarily in the military realm and aren’t readily available or compatible with civil aviation operations. However, commercially available counter drone systems are being examined. While there is a range of systems available at present, there is no 100% effective technological solution when it comes to counter drone measures. There are risks associated with destroying a drone and also issues with the use of radio and signal jamming equipment at an airport. Such risks have to be considered in deploying counter drone technology.
Dublin airport has a drone detection system in place that gives early warning of illegal drone activity. Information gathered by this system is being used to pursue enforcement activity, including prosecution. Cases relating to illegal drone use at Dublin Airport are currently before the courts.
59. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to create a second-hand market for electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10514/23]
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. Notwithstanding this, I am taking steps to accelerate the establishment of a second hand EV market in Ireland.
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.
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. It will also examine the creation of a second hand market.
61. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider establishing a fund for registered cancer support groups that would allow for the purchase of an electric vehicle, to be administered in a similar way to a scheme (details supplied) to transport clients to hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10268/23]
View answerThe Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is in place to support the greening of the SPSV, or taxi, sector. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO2 emissions of a sector which typically has very high mileage, and also can positively influence the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.
The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department of Transport and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs.
There are currently no plans to create a similar scheme for groups outside of the eSPSV industry.
62. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the cessation of a bus service (details supplied) from New Ross to Kilkenny; if there will be a replacement service put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10365/23]
View answerAs 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 the 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 Kilbride Coaches to withdraw its commuter services from New Ross to Kilkenny was a commercial decision for the company. The Deputy will appreciate that this commercial operator, like all other commercial businesses, is 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 the company's decision to withdraw their services will give rise to any loss of connectivity. The NTA will also consider whether there is a need to provide additional public service obligation services in the affected areas.
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.
63. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to improve safety standards on the N20 national road from Cork to Limerick, in view of the high level of accidents on this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10471/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
65. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the provision of a rail spur to Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10300/23]
View answerThe issue of a rail spur from Limerick to Shannon Airport has been considered in the context of the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS). As the Deputy may be aware, that Strategy was developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The final Strategy was published in December 2022. The Strategy sets out the framework for investment in transport for the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area for the next 20 years, including proposals for rail investment.
In addition to the improved access to Shannon Airport proposed under BusConnects Limerick, LSMATS provides for the route identification and protection of a potential future rail line that would serve Shannon Airport. However, in the immediate term, the Strategy highlights that a bus-based connection between Colbert Station and Shannon Airport would have 84% occupancy compared to 24% for a rail link. To increase the viability of a potential rail link, the Strategy recommends a focused approach to land use to support rail-based transport-oriented development.
The Deputy may wish to note that the Strategic Rail Review is also considering the future of the rail network with regard to the following ambitions: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities including the potential for higher/high-speed, enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development and rail connectivity to our international gateways, including Shannon airport.
The Review is now at an advanced stage and will be published after the necessary approvals are secured on both sides of the border.
66. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 6 of 10 November 2022 and 47 of 19 January 2023, the progress to date on the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities in Galway; the details of any engagement he has had with the park-and-ride development office relating to the Draft Park and Ride Strategy: Galway City and Environs, and in particular with a view to ensuring the delivery of park-and-ride on the western side of the city as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10376/23]
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 the provision of Park & 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.
68. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he or his officials have been briefed on industrial relations issues at a company (details supplied) and proposed industrial action at the company; if he has any proposals to ensure disputes at the company do not arise as a result of lower levels of pay or conditions being imposed on drivers as a result of the way the NTA awards routes under the competitive tendering system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10459/23]
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 issue of industrial relations at Go-Ahead Ireland is a matter for the company itself and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to Go-Ahead Ireland for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
69. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which progress is likely on urgently needed arterial road developments deemed by those directly affected to be vitally necessary in the shortest possible time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10476/23]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads (RLR) 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 major cuts to funding for regional and local roads during the post 2008 recession resulted in the build-up of a substantial backlog of works across the country. The estimated cost of the backlog is in excess of €5 billion. Because of the pressures on the regional and local road network, approximately 90% of available Exchequer grant assistance to local authorities for regional and local roads is being directed to maintenance and renewal works rather than for new roads or for road realignments.
Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific or Strategic Grant Programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
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.
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.
70. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the Virginia bypass. [10393/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
71. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if any plans are in place to amalgamate the child Leap card for five- to 15-year-olds, and the child Leap card for 16- to 18-year-olds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10367/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the to the Child Leap Card, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
73. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport the plans his Department has to incentivise private car park owners, restaurant, hotel leisure centres and so on to provide commercial EV charging at their facilities, especially in rural towns and villages across Ireland, which would support tourism and EV owners and continue the encouragement to people to consider EV cars when presented with the opportunity to change their vehicle. [9593/23]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years.
Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles. It is also an essential part of ensuring just and equal access to EVs across Ireland, including in rural areas.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
Last 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 grants and initiatives have been launched and further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
In January, I launched a National Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.
ZEVI has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland. To this end, a range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed, including destination charging, which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging, including rural areas.
A Destination Charging Scheme will be open for applications in the second half of this year from public and private sector organisations. The Scheme is in development at the moment and further information will be made available before the Summer. There is also significant private investment in EV charging infrastructure with many charging points being installed in retail and hotel locations without government support.
75. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on additional bus capacity that has been delivered or is planned to be delivered on the 109x Dublin-Kells-Cavan service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10568/23]
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 issue raised by the deputy in relation to providing an update on additional bus capacity that has been delivered or is planned to be delivered on the 109x Dublin-Kells-Cavan service is an operational matter for Bus Éireann.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
