Written Answers Nos. 177-193
177. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding the N86 road improvement project; the timeline for the completion of the entire scheme from Camp to Dingle; the anticipated progress to be made in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18825/23]
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 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 on the status of the 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.
178. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding the N22 road improvement project between Baile Bhuirne and Macroom; the-up-to- date timeline for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18826/23]
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.
179. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding the N22 road improvement project between Farranfore and Killarney, the up-to-date timeline for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18827/23]
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.
I can confirm that €100,000 has been allocated for the N22 Farranfore to Killarney in 2023. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2024 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
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.
180. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the number of private aircraft landings per airport in all Irish airports both public and private in 2022; if he can provide a breakdown of the types of aircraft landing in each airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18828/23]
View answerAviation statistics, gathered by my department and published on the government website, relate to passenger numbers arriving through the State and Regional Airports. The statistics do not differentiate between private aircraft and/or commercial aircraft.
Private aircraft landing at privately owned airports are a commercial matter for those airports.
daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin and Cork Airports including matters relating to private aircraft landings. Accordingly, 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.
Shannon Group has the statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Shannon Airport including matters relating to private aircraft landings. Accordingly, I have forwarded your request to Shannon Group for a direct response. If a response is not received within 10 days, please contact my private office.
181. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding the construction of the south Kerry greenway, the up-to-date timeline for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18829/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Investment in Greenway projects is also subject to the requirements of the Public Spending Code and necessary statutory approvals.
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.
182. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding the Tralee northern relief road, the up-to-date timeline for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18830/23]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants.
The Tralee Northern Relief Road is one of the limited number of strategic regional and local road improvement schemes being undertaken under the National Development Plan. Implementation of the project is the responsibility of Kerry County Council.
I understand from Kerry County Council that as regards to Phase A of the scheme, a number of advance works have been completed, and the works on the Big River Bridge are nearing completion. Kerry County Council then plan to progress the mainline works with a view to completing Phase A in 2024.
183. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding the construction of the Listowel bypass; the up-to-date timeline for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18831/23]
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.
184. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding plans to link the Tralee to Fenit greenway with the Listowel to Limerick greenway via Ardfert, Abbeydorney and Lixnaw; the up-to-date timeline for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18832/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. In line with Section 32 (2) of the Roads Act 1993, the planning, design, and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Investment in Greenway projects is also subject to the requirements of the Public Spending Code and necessary statutory approvals.
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.
185. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the amount of capital underspend in his Department for 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter [18833/23]
View answerDeputy,
Please see below the capital underspend for the Department of Transport for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 in tabular format.
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
|
Budget |
1,981,240 |
2,527,500 |
2,547,000 |
|
Expenditure |
1,786,515 |
2,316,943 |
2,402,104 |
|
Amount Carried Forwards to Subsequent Year |
151,480 |
161,100 |
137,956 |
|
Net Underspend After Carryover |
43,245 |
49,457 |
6,940 |
|
Percentage Underspend After Carryover |
0.022 |
0.020 |
0.003 |
The reasons for the carryover of capital are as follows:
2020 Underspend and Carryover
In 2020 the carryover related to delays to some eSPSV grant expenditure, the purchase of hydrogen buses; the Knock Airport Apron extension project; some public transport infrastructure projects; and the Coast Guard building programme, particularly the Westport and Greystones projects.
2021 Underspend and Carryover
In 2021, the carryover related to the Shannon Embankment project, the Donegal airport fencing project, the runway at Waterford Airport, the Passenger Boarding Bridge at Shannon Airport; bus delivery delays as a result of a shortage in the availability of Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) equipment and an underspend in Active Travel Infrastructure as Local Authorities continued to scale up projects and resources to match the budget available, the budget having trebled to €360m from €123.6m in 2020.
2022 Underspend and Carryover
In 2022 the carryover related to delays in EV global supply chains and associated delivery of vehicles; delays in the delivery of bus fleet; the completion of the delivery of 41 new Inter City rail cars and ongoing delays to the commencement of Bonmahon Coast Guard station, the Shannon Passenger Bridge boarding project and the IWAK Apron project.
As can be seen, the reasons for capital carryover tend to vary from year to year and are related to a wide variety of projects across the Vote. I am broadly satisfied that the capital negotiated and invested in the period 2020 - 2022 has been broadly aligned with the planned outputs in that period. I am delighted that in 2022 Local Authorities had scaled up Active Travel projects to the point where the out-turn in Walking and Cycling Projects exceeded the planned allocation for 2022.
Road infrastructure projects in construction over the period remained on track, with the exception of the delayed Ballaghaderreen to Scramogue and Coonagh to Knocakalisheen projects, which were impacted by the entry of Roadbridge into receivership; and the delayed start of Shannon Crossing, Killaloe Bypass and the R494 upgrade scheme due to construction cost inflation and supply constraints.
Major public transport infrastructure projects, including BusConnects, DART+ and Metrolink are still progressing through the planning system and capital allocations made in the period 2020-2022 primarily supported progress through planning and design. Capital allocations for construction will be aligned with the progression of these projects in line with the Public Spending Code.
186. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he or officials in his Department have received a request from the Department of Rural and Community Development to contribute financially to the LIS scheme, and if so, if he will state his response(s) to the request(s); if he will provide an up-to-date response on whether he will contribute to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18834/23]
View answerMy Department has not received a recent request from the Department of Rural and Community Development to contribute financially to the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) programme.
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 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. In this context 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 on public roads across the country. The estimated cost of the backlog is in excess of €5 billion. Cost inflation is also impacting current work programmes on public regional and local roads.
187. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding the N70 Milltown relief road project; the up-to-date timeline for the completion of the project; the cycling and walking infrastructure that is planned for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18835/23]
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.
188. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if safety concerns have been expressed regarding the design of the N22 Macroom bypass entry junction from the Millstreet road; if the absence of a merging slip road requires further stop notification to motorists approaching the bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18836/23]
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.
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.
189. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if drone activity has been identified in proximity to Irish airports outside of Dublin airport; if so, which airports has this activity resulted in flight disruption; if he will make provision for each airport to deal effectively with any future drone disruption attempts; how he plans to achieve this level of security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18837/23]
View answerThe oversight of safety standards at airports is a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).
The IAA informed me that drone safety occurrences at Irish airports are filed on the ECCAIRS safety reporting system by the airport operator. In the last 12 months, the IAA received one report of drone activity within the restricted area of an airport other than Dublin airport. The drone safety occurrence took place at Waterford Airport in June 2022, with no disruption to air traffic and no safety impact. As the Deputy may be aware, there are no commercial passenger services at Waterford airport at present.
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 Union Aviation Safety Agency. Safety critical areas are defined and a risk assessment is maintained at our airports.
As the Safety Regulator, the IAA is working with airports, airlines and air navigation service providers to address the risk of drone infringements in accordance with European guidelines. There is continuous engagement and airports have implemented procedures in accordance with the European Guidance with the emphasis on safety or flight operations.
190. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has received an application from Kerry County Council to develop a safe walking and cycling facility alongside the R561 between Boolteens village and Keel GAA/ Ross, Castlemaine, County Kerry; if he will provide details of any such applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18838/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Kerry County Council received an allocation of €2.24 million under the NTA's Active Travel Programme in 2023 for walking and cycling projects. Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer in relation to specific applications received. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
191. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what his Department’s long-term plans are to alleviate traffic congestion in Kinsale town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18841/23]
View answer192. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what his Department’s long-term plans are to alleviate traffic congestion in Clonakilty town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18842/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together.
Cork County Council is the statutory planning and road authority for its area of responsibility. It is, therefore, a matter for Cork County Council to consider options to alleviate traffic congestion in Clonakilty town and Kinsale town, taking into account the funding available to it from local and State sources as well as its particular priorities.
193. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the funding application by Cork County Council for the road upgrade project at Pewter Hole Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18843/23]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' 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 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.
Cork County Council has been allocated a total of €4,635,000 for five projects under the 2023 Specific Improvement Grant programme, in line with the priorities identified by the Council. Pewter Hole Cross is not one of the projects currently being funded.
