Written Answers Nos. 242-259
242. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the reasons a person's estimated week of invitation to apply for their driving test is being pushed out (details supplied); the reason for the delay in driving tests; his plans to reduce the lengthy wait-times experienced by those seeking to sit their driving test; when the wait-time can be expected to return to normal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16469/23]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases. I have therefore referred the specific part of the Deputy's Question 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.
On the broader issue of driver testing delays, the service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which is up 28% on 2021 figures. This 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, increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test and an increase in Advanced Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers.
The Authority has reviewed the demand and capacity of the driver testing service and, following a request for additional resources in March 2023, my Department has now given approval for the recruitment of up to 75 driver testers. This is in addition to the 30 testers who were previously sanctioned in July 2022 and have been fully deployed since end of March 2023. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to just over 200.
It is expected that once these additional 75 driver testers are recruited, trained and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will be actively managed such that it will start to reduce from October 2023 and agreed service levels should resume in early-mid 2024.
243. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 18 January 2023, when the 236A bus route will be operational. [16515/23]
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 delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and new Town Services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of new services, including in county Cork, 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.
244. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to provide resurfacing of the N71 at Ballylickey Bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16516/23]
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 management, operation and maintenance 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.
245. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons waiting for a driver test in each centre nationwide; the average waiting time, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16518/23]
View answerThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred this question 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.
246. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that taxi drivers are presently only able to transfer their plates on the event of their death, not even upon retirement or in case of ill health; and his views on whether this is fair. [16535/23]
View answer251. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport the engagement he has had with taxi drivers who rent their plates, rather than owning them. [16586/23]
View answer252. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that, for the purposes of insurance, taxi drivers must include the plate owner on their insurance policy, despite the fact that the owner does not drive the cab, greatly increasing the cost of insurance. [16587/23]
View answer253. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that rents for taxi plates have increased significantly due to a lack of supply. [16588/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 246, 251, 252 and 253 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry including licensing, 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 sector.
As the Deputy is aware the transfer of licences for SPSVs is, at present, prohibited under section 14(1) of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2013. All SPSV vehicle licences are unique to the person to whom the licence has been issued and cannot be transferred or sold to another person.
In 2011, the Taxi Review Group examined standards and practice in the taxi sector. This Review Group included various stakeholders, such as dispatch operators, drivers, consumers, as well as the regulatory and enforcement agencies. The Review Group considered that it was necessary to move away from a system whereby a licence would have value. Instead, a licence should determine a person’s suitability to carry out a function and it should not have monetary value or be traded on the open market. Therefore, the current licensing regime is built on this principle. An SPSV licence should simply indicate a person’s suitability to carry out the role of taxi operator, as decided by Revenue, An Garda Síochána and the NTA.
The Advisory Committee on SPSVs is the central focus on engagement with the SPSV sector in relation to issues affecting the sector. Drivers are an important part of the Committee’s membership, and four positions on the Committee, which are reserved for members who can represent driver interests, are filled by licensed SPSV drivers from across the country. I am satisfied that this ensures the Committee’s advice is informed by the perspective of drivers.
The Committee sent advice to me recently on this subject which indicates that it is not in favour of reverting to a legal situation which allows for the transferability of SPSV licences. I have considered the Committee's Report and I accept the Committee's advice on this issue.
Under the current SPSV Regulations, the holder of a taxi, hackney, or limousine vehicle licence may rent or lease a licence to another person. Further information on rules for such rental agreements is available on the NTA's website.
In relation to the issue of insurance, disclosures on policy documents for the purpose of obtaining insurance, are matters for the individual insurance companies concerned.
247. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff within his Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16570/23]
View answerThere are currently four members of staff from my Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels.
The role of the Department’s representatives in the Permanent Representation Office (Perm Rep) is to represent Ireland's interests in the European Union on matters relating to transport. Three members of my Department are currently in the Perm Rep and based in Brussels on secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs - one Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal Officer and one Administrative Officer.
The role of the Principal Officer (also titled DOT Counsellor) includes responsibility for ensuring appropriate representation in relation to civil aviation, maritime transport, land transport, intermodal transport issues, promotion and protection of Ireland's interest in the EU and responsibility for management of staff in the Permanent Representative.
The role of the officer at the Assistant Principal grade involves the negotiation and furtherance of Irish interests in the sectors under the Department's remit, interacting with community institutions, informal communication between the institutions and the Department as well as general responsibility for EU matters in the area of transport.
The role of the officer at the Administrative Officer grade includes representing Ireland at transport related working groups as assigned by the DOT Counsellor, regular reporting and information exchange with officials of the Department, preparation of precise briefs for both the Ambassador and the Minister for meetings of the committee of Permanent Representatives and the Council of Ministers respectively, and maintenance of relations with the principal institutions of the Union and the European Parliament.
There are no roles currently vacant for Departmental staff in the Permanent Representation office.
The Department also has one staff member in a seconded national expert post in the European Commission, titled Directorate General for Mobility and Transport. Responsibilities include policy and legislative development toward road safety, monitoring of the application of EU road safety legislation by member states, supporting promotion and awareness-raising activities, completing the transposition control and launching potential infringements where necessary, contributing to the preparation of relevant committees and expert groups, launching preparatory works to adapt to technical progress and preparing reports to Council and Parliament as required by Directives.
There were three staff members seconded to the Perm Rep office on the 23rd of June 2016. One Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal and one Administrative Officer. Tourism and sport functions were also within the remit of the Department's representatives at that time.
248. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on when the BusConnects phase for the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16583/23]
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.
249. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of reports of a rise in illegal taxi operators in certain areas; if he has communicated with the National Transport Authority on the issue of illegal operators; if he will list the occasions within the past year that he has communicated with the NTA on this matter; if he has concerns at the approach being taken by the NTA to address the prevalence of illegal operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16584/23]
View answer250. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if he has requested the National Transport Authority to outline the action it has taken to address the prevalence of illegal taxi operators; his concerns on the impact that illegal operators can have on the livelihoods of legal operators in certain areas; the measures he has taken to request the NTA take steps to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16585/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together.
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including enforcement and compliance in the SPSV sector, 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.
Any communications received by me or my Department regarding illegal operators in the SPSV industry are sent to the NTA for investigation by the NTA's enforcement team.
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.
254. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport how a person (details supplied), who is a full-time teacher, which is deemed a frontline worker, can avail of an emergency driving test to ensure that they can continue working in their school; the options open to people in such a position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16612/23]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have access, nor the power, to intervene in individual cases.
I believe the RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process, such that those who are eligible and have been waiting the longest are offered a test first.
Urgent tests are only available to applicants who are employed by the HSE, a private hospital or the emergency services where the candidate would need to drive as part of their job (not including commuting to their place of work).
Information on who can apply for an emergency test is available at www.rsa.ie/services/learner-drivers/the-driving-test/faqs.
255. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 23 March 2023, if vehicles ordered prior to July 2023 but not received by customers until after this date due to supply chain delays will remain eligible for €5,000 relief; if specific provisions will be made to account for these supply issues in advance of the electric vehicle grant amount reducing to €3,500 in July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16640/23]
View answerFurther to my reply of 23 March 2023, the Electric Vehicle Grant scheme is being amended. The current maximum grant of €5,000 will remain in place for applications made up to and including June 30 2023, with a new maximum limit of €3,500 for applications made from the 1st of July. Under the terms and conditions of the scheme, dealerships have four months from the date of a grant offer to draw down an EV purchase grant claim.
256. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if grants are available to businesses for the installation of EV chargers. [16646/23]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. 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.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well assists in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home. There is also however, a need for a reliable and convenient public charging infrastructure, and my Department is developing new funding schemes to support the roll out of this infrastructure, which will support businesses in installing EV chargers.
My Department is developing a new destination charging scheme. Destination charging will provide rapid charging solutions (50-100kW typically) at trip attractor locations and businesses such as leisure centres, parks, hotels and visitor attractions where EV drivers could charge their vehicle for 1-3 hours before returning home. There is private sector interest in this area of the EV charging infrastructure market, and in Ireland we have already seen the provision of rapid charging top-up infrastructure in car parks and in trip generating locations such as at supermarkets.
The Infrastructure Strategy envisages a supporting role for Government in providing initial seed funding to stimulate and encourage more widespread roll out of this charging infrastructure. Government will also have a key role in coordinating the various stakeholders involved in delivering this infrastructure. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
In addition, I launched the EV Commercial Fleet Trial on 21 July 2022 to afford businesses the opportunity to test an EV free of charge for a minimum period of 3 months. This trial will allow businesses real world experience of having an EV on their fleet and showcase the benefits, savings and the suitability and viability of EVs in a commercial setting.
The trial will run in four blocks of 50 businesses. The first 50 businesses have had their charge points installed at their premises with installations and site surveys ongoing for the remainder. The first 14 participating vehicles have completed their first placement, returned, cleaned and maintained and are now embarking on their second placement with a business. The remaining vehicles in Block 1 have been placed in a staggered manner due to vehicle supply issues in the industry. The data being recorded from the vehicles is being collated by SEAI and will be published at the end of the trial. To ensure as positive an experience as possible, ZEVI in conjunction with SEAI have made the decision to install charge points or ensure an operational charging strategy is in place for each business prior to delivery of trial EV.
The participating businesses span a host of different industries and are made up of large industry, public sector and SMEs.
257. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that the National Transport Authority have fulfilled their obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons (UNCRPD) to prioritise disabled persons organisations in any consultations they are holding; if he is further satisfied that the NTA consulted in a meaningful way with DPOs in relation to the rollout of Active Travel and BusConnects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16676/23]
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 Active Travel and BusConnects programmes.
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.
258. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full year cost of recruiting three additional WTE railway accident investigators for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16690/23]
View answerIn relation to the staffing at the RAIU, two Senior Investigators are retiring in the coming months. Two new Senior Investigators, who are currently undergoing training, have been recruited to replace the retirees. Therefore, once the retirees have left, the staffing numbers for the RAIU will be one Chief Investigator and three Senior Investigators, which has been the consistent staffing levels for the RAIU, and there will be no additional cost.
259. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport if he will respond to the correspondence attached (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16794/23]
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. This means that the issues raised in the correspondence to the Deputy are a matter for the NTA rather than the Department of Transport.
For the Deputy’s information, I met a delegation from the Rural Transport Network on 22 March 2023, which included the person who contacted the Deputy. The delegation outlined its views regarding the future of TFI Local Link services, including the points raised in the details attached. As for next steps, the Department will continue to engage with the NTA and relevant Local Link representatives on this matter.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the procurement of TFI Local Link offices I have forwarded your email to the NTA for direct reply to you.
