Written Answers Nos. 131-147
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport his proposals for the enhancement of rural transport throughout County Kildare, with particular reference to the interlinking of the public and private sectors where possible, and the introduction of new services to include any areas, urban or rural not served by existing areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20930/23]
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 TFI Local Link services, delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and new Town Services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the roll-out of new services, including in county Kildare, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had with stakeholders in the transport sector, with a view to maximising a changeover to the use of non-fossil fuels while maintaining best economic focus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20932/23]
View answerMy Department and I hold regular engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and representative bodies with regard to policy development in the transport sector. Details of my ministerial diary from July 2020 to February 2023 are publicly available on my Department’s website (www.gov.ie/transport).
With regard to the transition of our vehicle fleets to non-fossil fuels while maintaining best economic focus, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 enshrines the State’s legally binding commitment to achieve 51% emissions abatement at an economy-wide level by 2030, and provides for a national climate objective, to pursue and achieve no later than 2050, a transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity-rich, environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral economy.
In accordance with the provisions of this Act, the updated transport chapter of Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) sets out the proposed decarbonisation pathway for the sector, and details the level of change and key work programmes that will be required to meet the 50% emissions abatement and sectoral emissions ceilings that were established by Government in July 2022.
This decarbonisation pathway is informed by detailed transport modelling undertaken with the National Transport Authority and through wider stakeholder engagement and participation as part of the National Dialogue on Climate Action and National Climate Stakeholder Forum (www.gov.ie).
Our transport decarbonisation pathway is premised on an AVOID-SHIFT-IMPROVE hierarchical framework for greater transport sustainability. Here, AVOID measures aim to reduce or avoid the need for travel through enhanced spatial planning, SHIFT measures encourage modal shift to more sustainable modes of transport, and IMPROVE measures seek to improve the efficiency of residual vehicle-based transport on the transport network.
Included under this decarbonisation pathway are a number of key work programmes that relate to and support the transition of our vehicle fleets from fossil-fuels (i.e. IMPROVE measures). These include the work of the Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) office and roll-out of our National Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Strategy, our Renewable Transport Fuels policy, and progressing key short-term actions and long-term enablers from the first 10-year strategy for the Road Haulage sector – where I note significant public consultation was undertaken across each .
A draft national strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure to 2025 was published for consultation in March 2022, followed by a public consultation in May 2022. Over 14,000 public responses and 100 stakeholder responses were received, which informed the development of the final strategy and implementation plan, which were published in January 2023 (www.gov.ie).
With regard to our renewable transport fuels policy, the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) is the means through which CAP23 biofuel targets and European requirements for renewable energy in transport by 2030 will be met.
The regulations setting the RTFO rate (established at approximately 17% of fossil fuel supply currently) and related matters are established through Ministerial orders and regulations, which are subject to a statutory consultation. As part of this consultation process, I am obliged as Minister to take into account the impact on fuel prices in the State, and any other effects on economic activities in the State, or on the environment, of making the orders and regulations. I further note an ongoing public consultation to seek views in relation to my Department’s draft Renewable Fuel for Transport Policy Statement 2023-2025, with a closing date for submissions of 26 May (www.gov.ie).
Finally, I note that two public consultations were undertaken to inform the development of our Road Haulage Strategy (published December 2022). The first consultation opened in April 2021 and ended in July 2022, with 43 submissions received. A second public consultation on a draft of the strategy was undertaken in November 2022, which included in depth sessions with key stakeholders on the draft text, with a total of 27 submissions received. Further details regarding these submissions are available on www.gov.ie, and my Department continues to engage with our agency and industry partners on implementation of this strategy, through the Road Freight Forum (established February 2023).
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the total number of vehicles currently using the M4 for commuting purposes on a daily basis; the future plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20934/23]
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.
136. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the schemes and initiatives his Department has introduced to benefit rural Ireland since 2020. [21006/23]
View answerA number of schemes and initiatives have been introduced by my department since 2020, to benefit rural Ireland and these are included in the table below.
|
Name of Scheme / Initiative |
Date Introduced |
Still operational yes / no |
|
Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan |
2021 |
Yes |
|
Community Car Scheme |
2020 |
Yes |
|
Regional Airports Programme 2021 - 2025 |
2021 |
Yes |
|
Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme |
2023 |
Yes |
|
EU JTF Community Facilities EV Charging Scheme |
2023 |
Yes |
|
Pathfinder Programme (incorporating various rural projects with the objective of furthering Goal 4 of the Sustainable Mobility Policy: Expand availability of sustainable mobility in regional and rural areas) |
2022 |
Yes |
137. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if the bus and rail networks servicing rural areas have expanded since 2020; and if so, if he will provide examples of such expansion. [21007/23]
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 bus and rail public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the expansion of public transport services, including those in rural areas since 2020, 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.
138. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if more frequent direct Kerry-to-Dublin train services will be introduced; if more frequent Kerry connections will be facilitated on high-speed Cork-to-Dublin services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21008/23]
View answerAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation and provision of public transport.
The Deputy may be aware that there is a major relevant rail carriage capacity enhancement project underway, the purchase of 41 additional intercity rail cars, delivery of which commenced last September. These new rail cars will allow for enhanced services across the rail network when introduced into service this year. As part of ongoing work by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann on a network-wide basis, consideration will be given to providing new and additional carriages where demand, available carriages and suitable infrastructure support such provision.
As such, the queries raised by the Deputy in relation to Kerry-to-Dublin train services are operational matters for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the NTA and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
139. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he is concerned by the high number of road fatalities to date in 2023; the measures that can be taken to prevent more tragedy on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21009/23]
View answerUnfortunately, there has been an increase in fatalities on our roads over the last 12 months over and above the pandemic period, as well as above 2019 levels. For every fatality there is a family and community severely impacted by this loss.
The current road safety framework is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021 – 2030. The Road Safety Authority has overall responsibility for overseeing implementation of the Strategy and in so doing reports quarterly to the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety on progress. A senior officials’ group (the Road Safety Transformation Partnership Board) chaired by the Department meets quarterly to support progress on Strategy actions. Delivered in 3 phases (2021-2024, 2025-2027, and 2028-2030) the Government’s ten-year Strategy brings it into line with EU-wide strategy for Road Safety. There are 186 Actions in Phase 1 ranging from the delivery of feasibility studies, infrastructure investments and development of new legislation.
While good progress was throughout 2022, in order to urgently address the upward trend in fatalities, a number of additional measures were considered as the year progressed. Coming into force last October, these measures included the introduction of regulations to double fixed charge fines for those caught speeding, using a mobile phone, or not wearing a seatbelt, among other offences. Action 30 of the Road Safety Strategy under which these measures were introduced was reprioritised and delivered 2 years earlier than originally planned.
The first annual review of the Road Safety Strategy was held in February 2023, with the aim of setting priorities for 2023 focusing on reversing the trend in fatalities seen in 2022. Speed and the review of speed limits was particularly targeted. As a result of this review, in March a series of new priority actions for 2023 were presented to the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety by the Road Safety Transformation Partnership Board, which were endorsed.
We all have our role to play and the successful delivery of the Strategy’s road safety actions is dependent on the mutual cooperation and contributions from Government Departments, key stakeholders and road users alike.
140. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport if support or a grant is available to an organisation (details supplied) for staff who experience severe trauma following on from a deliberate road traffic accident/ suicide by an oncoming driver and are then suffering mentally from the incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21023/23]
View answerMy Department does not have any funding for the purposes of grant schemes of this type.
For information, the Road Safety Authority's website provides a list of organisations lending support to victims, and their families, who have been directly affected by road traffic collisions. The support provided ranges from general information to advocacy services to those bereaved or injured by road traffic collisions. This information can be accessed via the following link: www.rsa.ie/road-safety/support-organisations.
Employers may perhaps also be in a position to provide support through employee assistant programmes.
141. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to improve modes of public transport, in particular the national bus service, given that passenger numbers have in some cases exceeded pre-Covid levels, resulting in capacity issues on many bus routes across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21032/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In both of those areas there have been significant developments since this Government came into office with last year's publication of a new Sustainable Mobility Policy and its five year action plan providing strong policy support to the continued expansion and enhancement of bus services. I am also delighted to say that this strong policy support has been backed up by increased levels of Exchequer funding which is supporting the roll-out of initiatives such as BusConnects in the five cities, new and improved town services in key towns and new and enhanced services across rural Ireland under the Connecting Ireland programme.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including bus services and infrastructure. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
142. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to ensure stronger security measures across all Irish airports in light of recent events of drone activity at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21033/23]
View answerIrish 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. These procedures have been reviewed and revised where necessary in light of lessons learnt from the illegal drone incursions at Dublin airport earlier this year.
While the immediate focus has been to enable the deployment of counter drone technology at Dublin airport, the Government mindful of the need to protect other airports, other critical national infrastructure and other buildings, agreed that consideration should be given to an appropriate existing state agency being tasked to select and operate both drone detection and counter drone technological solutions as appropriate for the medium to longer term no later than 1 July 2023. Officials from my department are engaging with relevant Government departments and agencies to progress this work.
143. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is committed to funding a specific grant application from Mayo County Council for further works on the R312; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21041/23]
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 a matter for the local authority.
Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration for funding 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.
The Department has provided funding to Mayo County Council for the road re-alignment and bridge replacement scheme at Glenisland on the R312 which was completed at the end of 2021.
Mayo County Council received an allocation of €100,000 this year under the Specific Improvement Grant Programme to progress the planning and design of the second phase of proposed works at Glenisland on the R312.
144. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport if he will support the inclusion of the N84 Ballinrobe bypass in the revised NDP, in line with the Government’s Towns Centre First policy where in 2023, priority is being given to the ongoing progression of local bypasses to facilitate more people-friendly development and ensuring that towns can thrive and develop without 24/7 car congestion; if he will support the provision of funding to Mayo RDO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21042/23]
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.
In relation to the N84 Ballinrobe bypass, this project was not included in the list of routes in the most recent update of the NDP in 2021.
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.
145. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance the increased supports, if any, that businesses will receive in tackling the cost-of-living crisis as they struggle to pay bills at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20942/23]
View answerThe Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) was introduced in Finance Act 2022 to support qualifying businesses with increases in their electricity or natural gas costs arising from the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
The scheme provides support to qualifying businesses in respect of energy costs relating to the period from 1 September 2022 to 30 April 2023. TBESS is available to tax compliant businesses carrying on a trade or profession the profits of which are chargeable to tax under Case I or Case II of Schedule D where they meet the eligibility criteria.
Recognising the ongoing difficulties that many businesses face in terms of energy prices, in February of this year, I exercised the power contained in Finance Act 2022 to extend the scheme from 28 February 2023 to 30 April 2023 and also to increase the monthly caps on aid granted under the scheme. From 1 March the monthly caps on aid increased to €15,000 per trade or profession, or in cases where the trade or profession of a qualifying business operates across more than one location, €15,000 per MPRN up to a maximum amount of €45,000 per month.
In addition, at the end of February 2023 the Government decided, as part of a package of cost of living measures, to make a number of enhancements to the scheme. The enhancements are aimed at allowing more businesses qualify for support and at increasing the level of support given.
These enhancements, for which State aid approval has been received under the European Commission
Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework are being legislated for in Finance Bill 2023 and are as follows:
• The extension of the scheme to 31 May 2023.
• The reduction in the energy cost threshold for entry into the scheme from 50 percent to 30 percent with effect from 1 September 2022.
• The increase in the amount of the temporary business energy payment (TBEP) from 40 percent of the eligible costs to 50 percent of the eligible costs for claim periods from 1 March 2023 until the end of the scheme, subject to the relevant monthly limits.
• The amendment of the time limit for making claims under the scheme such that businesses now have two months from the end of the scheme to complete their claims.
Revenue have advised that claims already made prior to the amendments are automatically being reassessed using the new 30 percent energy costs threshold. Therefore, businesses will not have to amend them or re submit their previous claims to take account of the revised threshold.
Further details on TBESS and the relevant conditions for making a claim can be found at: www.revenue.ie/en/starting-a-business/tbess/index.aspx.
The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment also put in place a number of schemes to help businesses and further details on those schemes can be found at: www.enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/supports-for-smes/access-to-finance/.
146. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance the supports available to any of the 65,000 firms around the country faced with tax-debt warehousing repayments dating back to the earlier stage of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, that may struggle to pay back this debt with the climate of increased costs at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20943/23]
View answerThe Debt Warehousing scheme allows for the deferral of the payment of VAT, PAYE (Employer) and certain self-assessed income tax liabilities, including TWSS and EWSS overpayments. It provided a vital liquidity support to businesses during the Covid pandemic and continues to support businesses as they recover from the impacts of the pandemic and the current energy crisis.
At the end of March 2023, the value of debt warehoused was €2.216 billion for 63,600 businesses. Of this total, 19,758 (31%) have warehoused debts of less than €100, 9,767 (15%) have warehoused debts between €101 and €1,000 and a further 11,769 (19%) have warehoused debts between €1,001 and €5,000. In total 65% of businesses in the warehouse have an outstanding balance of less than €5,000.
The bulk of the debt figure is warehoused by just 6,617 customers, with outstanding balances greater than €50,000, totalling €1.928 billion.
In October 2022, Revenue announced an extension to the period during which debts can remain “parked” in the warehouse. This means that businesses no longer have the challenge of making arrangements to repay their warehoused debt until 1 May 2024 and this significant additional time should greatly support businesses and prevent business failure. Importantly also, businesses are still able to avail of the reduced 3% interest rate from 1 January 2023, as opposed to the general interest rate of 10% when they come to pay the debt. To reduce their interest bill, some businesses have already begun to repay their warehoused debt where their financial circumstances permit and, to date, just over 2,000 customers have agreed payment arrangements with Revenue for warehoused debt of €73 million.
However, it remains a key condition of the Debt Warehousing Scheme that current liabilities are filed and paid on time. Revenue is actively engaging with businesses in the scheme to ensure they are complying with this key condition in order to retain the benefits of the scheme. Where payment difficulties arise, particularly in relation to current tax obligations, I am assured that Revenue will work proactively with businesses who engage early to resolve these payment difficulties.
Revenue has a proven track record in agreeing flexible Phased Payment Arrangements that take account of the financial circumstances of each business and their capacity to pay. These flexibilities can include a reduced down payment amount to commence the payment arrangement, an extended payment duration of up to 5 years and the availability of payment breaks and payment deferral when temporary cash flow difficulties arise during the arrangement term.
In addition, early and proactive engagement to address payment difficulties will assist taxpayers to retain tax clearance and to remain eligible for other Government financial supports such as the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS). This scheme provides supports to qualifying business in respect of increases in their electricity and natural gas costs, subject to certain criteria.
In summary, Revenue’s expectation is that the extended timeline to 1 May 2024 for entering into arrangements for repaying warehoused debt, together with flexible payment arrangements and other direct financial supports such as the TBESS, will assist most businesses to work through any difficulties and will satisfactorily address the repayment of their tax debt, including any warehoused debt, over an acceptable period of time.
147. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance if he or his Department have had any discussions with the banks in respect of speeding up the process of small businesses meeting with banks, and in particular, reducing the time period for dealing with such loan applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20944/23]
View answerAs Minister for Finance, a key strategic priority is a well regulated, sustainable banking and financial services sector. All viable businesses operating in Ireland should have the opportunity to access sufficient finance to meet their enterprise needs in a manner that supports growth and employment in the economy. That is why my Department has a range of measures to in place to ensure viable SMEs can access appropriate finance at a reasonable cost from both bank and non-bank sources.
My officials meet the banks on a quarterly basis to ensure an informed understanding of the wider SME bank lending environment, which assists the development and implementation of policies aimed at ensuring SME access to finance and increased competition in the SME lending sector.
I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the most recently published Department of Finance SME Credit Demand Survey covering the April to September 2022, which can be located at - gov.ie - Credit Demand Survey April 2022 - September 2022 (www.gov.ie). The results of this survey show that credit demand remained unchanged in the six months to September 2022, with 17% of SMEs reporting they applied for bank finance.
A total of 60% of all finance applications were processed within the stipulated 15 working days of receipt of all information from the company. The average amount of time from application to decision was 26 working days. The proportion of loans that were still pending stood at 9%.
The Deputy may be aware that the Central Bank's SME Regulations include enhanced protections for all SME borrowers, including requirements on lenders to provide SME borrowers with greater transparency around the application process and associated timelines.
Section 14 of the regulations state that, “If a regulated entity cannot make a decision within 15 working days of receipt of a completed application on whether it will grant or refuse an application for credit, the regulated entity shall inform the borrower, in a durable medium, of the reasons why the regulated entity’s assessment of the application will take longer than 15 working days and the expected time-frame within which a decision will be made”.
If there is an issue, the SME can contact the Credit Review Office for support.
The Credit Review Office helps SME or farm borrowers who have had an application for credit of up to €3 million declined or reduced by the participating banks, and who feel that they have a viable business proposition. The Credit Review Office also examines cases where borrowers feel that the terms and conditions of their existing loan, or a new loan offer, are unfairly onerous or unreasonably changed to their detriment. This is a strictly confidential process between the business, the Credit Review Office and the bank. Further details are available at www.creditreview.ie/.
