Written Answers Nos. 272-296
272. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport when the Government expects to approve the entire scheme concerning the planned road upgrades on the N24 between Cahir, County Tipperary via Tipperary town and Pallasgreen, County Limerick, in order that it can go to planning; if he expects this scheme to go to planning in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13129/23]
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, management and upgrading 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.
273. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will give urgent consideration to the issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13135/23]
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.
In relation to the motion outlined, the proposed meeting would be a matter for the consideration of Cavan/Monaghan Oireachtas members.
274. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport if he has submitted the business case and consent request to the Minister for Public Expenditure as required regarding a company's (details supplied) approved pension increase as submitted to him in July 2022. [13180/23]
View answerMy Department officials have examined the pension increase proposal submitted by Dublin Port Company in July 2022 in conjunction with officials in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. An assessment of the proposal has also been carried out by NewERA.
I am engaging with my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the matter with a view to an early resolution.
275. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport his views on the situation where private operators could not participate in the initiative on the February bank holiday weekend whereby Leap card holders could bring another person for free on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13237/23]
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 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. However, unlike with PSO services, the National Transport Authority (NTA) do not set, monitor or regulate fares on services run by commercial operators.
The Leap+1 initiative was a once-off campaign by the NTA to encourage increased usage of public transport services by Leap card holders. I had no role in this initiative nor was it subsidised by any public/exchequer funds.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this matter, 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.
276. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the proposed new railway station for the Narroways, Bettystown, County Meath which has been included as an objective in the Meath County Development Plan 2021-2027 and which, if opened, would greatly improve public transport options for the commuting public in east Meath. [13239/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including train stations.
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 issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
277. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if grant schemes are available to those looking to purchase an electric bicycle who do not qualify for the bike to work scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13260/23]
View answerMy Department is continuously exploring ways to encourage the uptake of cycling as a mode of transport and it is evident that the popularity of e-bikes is rising. Our National Sustainable Mobility Policy examines the different behavioural change measures that can be explored to promote modal shift away from private car use and towards zero-emission transport modes such as walking, cycling and e-biking.
The Programme for Government commits to “widening the eligibility of the Bike to Work scheme”. The Deputy will be aware that in Budget 2021, my colleague, the then Minister for Finance, increased the thresholds for the Cycle to Work scheme to enable the purchase of e-bikes and more recently the thresholds were increased again in the most recent Budget to accommodate the purchase of cargo bikes and e-cargo bikes.
To further advance the Programme for Government commitment, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development, introduced a pilot initiative in 2021 for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and the most marginalised and disadvantaged.
Funding of up approximately €1 million per annum is being provided by my Department over a three-year period through the Community Services Programme, which is managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development. Depending on the organisation involved, upcycled bicycles are made available for free or at a lower cost to various groups including those in direct provision or those outside employment. A review of this pilot will be undertaken later this year with a view to ascertaining the impact of this Initiative.
My Department will also continue to undertake research into other additional measures which could be introduced to promote modal shift and encourage uptake of electric bikes across all demographics as part of the annual Budgetary process. Potential schemes such as grants for bikes will be considered as part of this research.
278. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will insist that CIÉ provides answers to the issues and questions expressed in relation to the CIE '1951 Scheme' as detailed in the most recent elected trustee bulletin dated 10 March 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13264/23]
View answerCIÉ have advised that the Group’s two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), are currently not in compliance with the Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) as defined in the Pensions Act 1990.As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to the schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term.
In relation to CIE's Regular Wages Scheme (RWS), I signed three Statutory Instruments related to the RWS on 6th July 2022, with an operative date of 18th July 2022.
In regards to the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to Labour Court recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by ballot of scheme trade union members in May 2021. This is being considered by my Department in conjunction with NewERA. The deputies may also be aware that the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days and the outcome from the Hearing is expected in the coming months.Issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
279. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 199 of 28 February, the reason a substantial part of the greater Knocknacarra area, which is serviced by a company (details supplied) is not covered by a CSO, which means that residents cannot avail of reduced fares associated with PSO services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13270/23]
View answerAs advised to the Deputy in Dáil Question no 199 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. 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 addition, the NTA also 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 Authority's responsibility in these matters, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the lack of a PSO service for a substantial part of the greater Knocknacarra area and associated reduced fares, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
280. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport which routes on the upper Ballymoneen Road area of Galway city are operated under licence from the National Transport Authority, by Bus Éireann and a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13271/23]
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. 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 which routes on the upper Ballymoneen Road area of Galway city are operated under licence from the NTA, by Bus Éireann and City Direct, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
281. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the current procedure used by the RSA for notifying An Garda Síochána in relation to cases where drivers who are disqualified do not surrender their licences or learner permit to the RSA; and the plans of the RSA to put in place an electronic system of notification for non-surrender of licences or learner permits to assist the gardaí in expediting enforcement in these cases. [13308/23]
View answerFailing to surrender a licence following disqualification is an offence and is a matter for the Garda Síochána.
It is an offence to drive while disqualified, whether or not the licence has been surrendered. Once a driver is disqualified, their licence is no longer valid. In a significant share of disqualification cases, the driver in question has not had a licence at all.
The issue of key concern to me as Minister and to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is whether a driver who has been disqualified continues to drive on our roads. Any individual who has been disqualified from driving is aware that they are no longer entitled to drive. on our roads.
To this end, information is already provided to the Gardai Síochána by the Department of Transport, by electronic transfer, to indicate if a driving licence or learner permit has been surrendered as a result of a penalty point disqualification. The Department and the RSA also facilitate the matching and sharing of data on court ordered disqualifications. Improvements have been made to the system that shares details of disqualifications with the Garda Síochána.
As a result, using the mobility app, the Gardaí can detect if a driver is driving while disqualified, regardless of whether they have surrendered their licence or learner permit. Ultimately this remains part of the enforcement work by the Garda Síochána to keep our road safe.
282. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided to the wheelchair accessible (WAV23) scheme, given the unprecedented interest in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13320/23]
View answer283. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding that was allocated to the wheelchair accessible (WAV23) scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13321/23]
View answer284. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the number of people that are on the WAV23 waitlist to date; the estimated number of those on the waitlist that will be allocated funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13322/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 282, 283 and 284 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including administration of grants for wheelchair accessible 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 am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Accordingly, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
285. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of establishing the public bike scheme in County Cavan consisting of eight bike stations and 96 bikes. [13347/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations or the management of public bike schemes.
Details regarding existing and proposed bike schemes fall under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA) working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the NTA's responsibilities in the matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
286. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to extend a bus terminus (details supplied). [13348/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects Dublin.
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.
287. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of buses withdrawn from the Dublin Bus fleet in 2022; the number of new buses that will be provided to Dublin Bus in 2023; and when these new buses will come into service. [13349/23]
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 including the procurement of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus fleet.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputies' questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
288. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he, in consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, will ensure that a child fare is introduced as standard across all public transport options (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13376/23]
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 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. However, unlike with PSO services, the National Transport Authority (NTA) do not set, monitor or regulate fares on services run by commercial operators.
In addition, I would like to advise that the Young Adult Card (YAC) was extended to participating commercial bus operators last September and the widening of the age of eligibility for Student Leap Cards to include third level students aged 16, 17 and 18 in the YAC scheme came into effect last October. It is a matter for each individual commercial operator whether they participate in the scheme or not.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to child fares, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
289. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the plans to change the 54A bus route and if it is possible to retain the route as is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13405/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects Dublin.
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.
290. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the number of Marine Survey Office staff that have been training in relation to human trafficking awareness or human trafficking indicators; to what level this training is provided; if this training is provided on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13434/23]
View answerIn its role as maritime safety regulator, the Marine Survey Office (MSO) carries out surveys and inspections on all types of vessels for compliance with safety, security, pollution prevention and living and working conditions. These surveys and inspections are carried out on all Irish vessels wherever they may be and on foreign flagged vessels when calling to Irish ports. In carrying out its role, the priority for the MSO is to ensure the safety of the vessel, its crew and, where relevant, its passengers. In ensuring compliance with Irish and international maritime law with regard to working and living conditions of crew, the goal is to confirm that the employment and social rights of the crew are being implemented in line with those laws. Such maritime laws are applied equally to all crew members regardless of their nationality or immigration status.
The Marine Survey Office has no role with regard to enforcement of laws related to human trafficking, which is a matter for the Department of Justice.
291. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the number of Airport police staff that have training in relation to human trafficking awareness or human trafficking indicators; to what level this training is provided; if this training is provided on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13435/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin and Cork Airports. Airport police, as employees of the relevant airport, are "authorised officers" under the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act 1998, as amended. As such, matters in relation to staffing issues, including staff training are a matter for daa.
I have therefore forwarded your question to daa for direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a response within ten working days, please advise my Private Office.
292. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if there are proposals to support the redevelopment of the train station in Edenderry, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13441/23]
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 is a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The results of the review will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades.
The Review is 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. The Review is also considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure, including train stations, along the various existing, or potential future, corridors of the network including disused and closed lines.
It is important that we address constraints in the rail sector and deliver a strategy which allows rail to fulfil its potential as a sustainable mode of transport in pursuit of decarbonisation priorities, rural connectivity objectives and as a generator of prosperity for people across Ireland.
The Review is now at an advanced stage. Publication of the report will follow after it has been considered and received the necessary approvals on both sides of the border.
293. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to improve the frequency and expand the range of local link services in Cork south west. [13475/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the Rural Transport Programme management, which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in Cork South West, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
294. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to ensure frequent public transport options between Bandon, County Cork and Munster Technological University and University College Cork. [13476/23]
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 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 frequent public transport options between Bandon, County Cork and Munster Technological University and University College Cork, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
295. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to provide a train station in the Ballyfermot, Kylemore area on the recently approved Railway Order submission to An Bord Pleanála for the Dart+ South West, the Celbridge line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13481/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government approved the updated Preliminary Business Case in respect of the DART+ South West project earlier this month. The project will extend DART trains from Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge train station, as part of the wider expansion of DART services in the coming years. Following Government approval, a Railway Order planning application for the DART+ South West project will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála by the end of March.
The Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in January 2023 following my approval. The strategy commits to the development of a number of new rail stations including a station at Kylemore Road in Ballyfermot. While this station is outside the scope of the DART+ South West project, the design of the project has future-proofed its layout to allow the addition of a new station at this location. The NTA has provided funding to Iarnród Éireann this year to commence the preparation of designs and planning for the Kylemore Road station.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed response. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
296. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Transport if owners of electric cars who only have access to on street parking can apply for the grant support towards the full cost of installation of a home charger up to a maximum of €600; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13506/23]
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.
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.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
In January, I launched the 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.
A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme will be launched by ZEVI to provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home. In addition to this we will be working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland also launched a new destination charging scheme, the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme, at the end of January to support the installation of fast electric vehicle chargers into sports clubs. The scheme aims to install approximately 200 chargers into local communities providing a network of fast chargers across the island. It has been developed on an all-island basis in partnership with Sports Ireland and its recognised National Governing Bodies as well as in collaboration with the ESB Networks and Northern Ireland Electric and the commercial sector. The Scheme is funded to the value of €15m by the Shared Island Fund.
Public EV charge points are provided in Ireland by a number of charge point operators on a commercial basis. ZEVI is engaging with these charge point operators as key stakeholders in the delivery and roll-out of fast charging points across the country.
It is a condition of the SEAI Home Charger grant Scheme that the property is a private residence with its own private off-street driveway. The grant is not available for property which does not fit this description. Further information on this scheme can be found on the SEAI website.
