Paul McAuliffe
Question:46. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the planned improvements to pedestrian safety on the M1/R104 in Dublin 9. [20739/23]
View answerRoad Safety
Questions (46)
Written answers
As 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.
Dublin City Council received an allocation of just under €52.8 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. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Bus Services
Questions (47)
Pauline Tully
Question:47. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase funding to the National Transport Authority and Bus Éireann to enable them to increase the capacity of overprescribed bus routes such as the 109x Dublin to Cavan bus route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20808/23]
View answerWritten answers
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. 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.
This Government is firmly committed to enhancing and expanding our public transport services provision across the country. To support this objective, in Budget 2023, I secured a €563million funding package to support the PSO services. The funding allocation for PSO public transport services for 2024 will be subject to the annual Budgetary process and therefore the allocations for 2024 are yet to be determined in the context of future Estimates processes.
Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to possible plans to increase funding to Bus Éireann to enable them to increase the capacity of overprescribed bus routes such as the 109x Dublin to Cavan bus route, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Transport Policy
Questions (48)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:48. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the improvements for active travel and public transport after the construction of the Macroom bypass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20748/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of the N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom project, which includes the completed Macroom Bypass.
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.
With regards to the active travel and public transport improvements on completion of the project, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to active travel and public transport. Individuals projects funded by my Department are the responsibility of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question relating to potential Active Travel and Public Transport projects in or near Macroom to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Rail Network
Questions (49)
Catherine Connolly
Question:49. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 54 of 2 March 2023, if he will provide a status update on the promised feasibility study for light rail in Galway; the timeline for the feasibility study; the status of the specialist team tasked with assisting the National Transport Agency in the updating of the Galway Transport Strategy; the membership of the specialist team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20667/23]
View answerWritten answers
The NTA, in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council have begun the process of developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS), which will replace the current Galway Transport Strategy.
Following an open tender competition process, the NTA has appointed consultants to manage and develop the new strategy which will include a feasibility study of light rail.
The NTA will undertake a comprehensive public consultation exercise on a draft GMATS as part of the development process and I expect that to take place later this year.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for further information. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Road Projects
Questions (50)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:50. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the current situation with the upgrading of the N53, particularly in relation to CPOs, decisions on which are awaited from An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20754/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Bus Services
Questions (51, 57, 76)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:51. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the implementation to BusConnects in the Rathcoole and Newcastle, County Dublin. [20742/23]
View answer
Mark Ward
Question:57. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the next phase of BusConnects in Dublin mid west; the improvements that are planned; and when they will be implemented. [20735/23]
View answer
Paul Murphy
Question:76. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport when BusConnects in Dublin south west will be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20784/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 57 and 76 together.
As 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 Dublin.
As 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 Deputys' questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Air Safety
Questions (52)
Richard Bruton
Question:52. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied with the progress in preventing air traffic disruption from drones. [20733/23]
View answerWritten answers
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. These procedures have been reviewed and revised where necessary in light of lessons learned from the drone incursions at Dublin airport.
daa is expediting the deployment of additional counter drone technology to complement the already functioning drone detection system at the airport. The deployment of counter drone technology at Dublin airport by daa is a complex operation and the technology needs to be deployed and operated safely. daa is engaging with the IAA, the aviation safety regulator, which must approve the deployment of the counter drone technology in an airport operating environment. daa is also engaging with ComReg in relation to radio spectrum matters and impact on other spectrum users.
All agencies concerned are working as quickly as possible to conclude their assessment of the equipment and its deployment. This due diligence is necessary from a safety perspective and has been done in every other State where counter drone technology has been deployed.
Park-and-Ride Facilities
Questions (53)
Catherine Connolly
Question:53. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 66 of 2 March 2023, if he will provide a status update on the rollout of park-and-ride facilities in Galway; if he will provide a further status update on the consultation process between the Park and Ride Development Office and Galway City and County Councils on the draft park-and-ride strategy for Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20666/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has agreed responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in our cities including the provision of park & ride facilities.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Departmental Funding
Questions (54, 78)
Brendan Smith
Question:54. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided for the Non-National Roads Programme for 2023, due to the very substantial increase in road maintenance and construction costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20751/23]
View answerBrendan Smith
Question:78. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided to Cavan and Monaghan local authorities for the Non-National Roadworks Programme in 2023, due to the importance of this particular road network for both counties and the substantial increase in costs for road maintenance and construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20752/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 78 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.
In February this year I announced an Exchequer investment of €626million in our regional and local roads across the State which includes an increase in funding of €20million for road pavement and rehabilitation works. The increase in capital funding this year is aimed at offsetting in part the impact of inflation.
As regards the broader funding position, my Department’s capital ceilings are set under the National Development Plan and therefore the scope for additional funding is limited to either identifying opportunities that might exist from year-to-year whereby progress in some programmes and projects might result in funding availability for others at Estimates time, or monitoring in-year expenditure to see if any scope arises for the transfer of funding between programmes. As regards in-year expenditure, the drawdown on capital spending varies from month to month and it is too soon to determine whether any slower than expected drawdowns will lead to a gross capital underspend for the entire year.
Within the budget available for the regional and local road grant programme, the objective is to allocate funding to eligible local authorities on as equitable a basis as possible taking the length of the road network into account. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network. In this context there has been significant increases in Exchequer grants for regional and local roads particularly in the recent years. The 2023 regional and local road grants were notified to local authorities on 14th February and Cavan County Council has been allocated a total of €17,510,350 which compares to an allocation of €9,117,182 in 2017. Monaghan County Council has been allocated a total of €16,222,270 which compares to an allocation of €7,684,950 in 2017.
It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.
Bus Services
Questions (55)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:55. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if work is being done to increase the frequency of the service of the 424 bus to Ceantar na nOileán and Iorras Aithneach, or to provide a Local Link service between Leitir Mealláin or Carna and an Cheathrú Rua; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20740/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 and delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for Connecting Ireland, including the funding and rollout of services in County Galway, 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Bus Services
Questions (56)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:56. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the Connecting Ireland projects due to be delivered in 2023 in Galway - routes 438, 423, 424, 547, 350, and 425A; if these are on track to be delivered on the schedule set out earlier this year; and if he will provide details of the design of these projects. [20332/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 Galway, 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 57 answered with Question No. 51.
Question No. 58 answered with Question No. 39.
Greenways Provision
Questions (59)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Question:59. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport his views on the criteria by which greenway routes are selected in relation to their capacity to help achieve modal shift in adjacent towns and villages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20806/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways.
The Department directly funds the development of National and Regional Greenways that exceed 20km in length (to include shorter distances where it is planned that to join an existing Greenway route to form a longer route exceeding 20km).
Greenways are mainly used for recreational purposes by pedestrians, cyclists and people with impaired mobility for non-motorised journeys. As set out in the Strategy for the Future Development of National and Regional Greenway, the criteria used to approve funding for specific Greenways include the Scenic and See and Do criteria which outlined that a route should be strategic, scenic, sustainable, offer lots to see and do, are substantially segregated and for shared use. The tourism potential of a Greenway and whether it would provide a strategic link to other activities and locations are also considered relevant criteria in considering the approval of a route.
These criteria may assist with modal shift especially when linked with other cycle infrastructure. In addition, Transport Infrastructure Ireland have developed a guidance document (‘Project Appraisal Guidelines for National Roads Unit 13.0 - Appraisal of Active Modes’) that provides guidance on calculating the benefits associated with modal shift on active travel infrastructure projects including greenways. As the approving authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are responsible for the planning, design and construction of Greenways which typically connect urban centres. TII are aware of the need for “last mile” linkages into urban centres working with the National Transport Authority and local authorities to facilitate these links with a recent example being the project to complete a 2km link between Bilberry and Waterford City Centre which will extend the Waterford City to Dungarvan Greenway.
Noting also the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Rail Network
Questions (60)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:60. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport his plans to ensure the preservation of all disused railway lines in the ownership of Iarnród Éireann, where they have not already been legally given over for use as a greenway, as railway lines and to re-open them on a phased basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20617/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, the Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in cooperation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It will inform the development of the railway sector on the island 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 rail), enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development, and rail connectivity to our international gateways. This also includes the role of rail freight.
The Review is also considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing, or potential future, corridors of the network including disused and closed lines. The Review will establish the framework for investment in disused lines in the coming decades and, until it is complete, no work will be undertaken on such lines that might preclude any future reopening. However, it would also be premature to commit to preserving all disused alignments as railway lines and reopening them on a phased basis before the Review is finalised.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage. However, before the Review can be formally approved it will require consideration under relevant environmental regulations, in particular the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) regulations. If deemed applicable, then a draft of the Review will need to be published for public consultation before it can be formally finalised and approved. It is anticipated that any such consultation would take place during in the coming months.
Following the completion of any environmental regulatory procedures and subsequent finalisation of the report, the Review will be submitted for my formal approval and ultimately to Government, as well as to the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Should there continue to be an absence of Ministers in the NI Executive, approval will be considered taking into account the decision-making framework set out in the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2022 or relevant legislation in place at the time.
It is expected that the final Review will therefore be published in the second half of 2023.