Written Answers Nos. 198-205
198. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the rural transport programme, including the cost of the programme and the annual capital investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23799/23]
View answerMy Department is strongly committed to improving public transport services in rural areas and to piloting new transport initiatives for people of all ages and abilities living there.
My Department and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are supporting this by providing increased funding for enhancing TFI Local Link services, for both regular "timetabled" services, and "door-to-door" demand responsive transport (DRT) services as well. There has been a substantial increase in funding allocated for TFI Local Link services since 2016, going from €12.2 million in 2016 to €43m in 2023.
The additional funding has enabled the introduction of over 100 new Rural Regular Service routes, as well as improvements to DRT services. The new Rural Regular Services operate at least five times per day over a 5,6,7 days per week schedule. They are specifically designed to ensure connectivity with other public transport services and better linkage of services between and within towns and villages. Additionally, we will also be exploring the expansion of non-conventional modes of transport to give the public a well-rounded transport offering. The total TFI Local Link Rural Transport Programme capital allocation for 2023 is €1.325million.
In addition to the Rural Transport Programme funding, there is also c. €12m of a current and capital allocation in place to support the continued roll-out and expansion of the Connecting Ireland and New Town Services programme.
199. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the annual costs of PSO funding for all transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23800/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
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 €563.55 million funding package to support the PSO services.
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 matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the annual costs of PSO funding for all transport services, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
200. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the cost in 2022 of providing funding across the country for safe routes to school. [23801/23]
View answer201. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the total amount of funding that was applied for the safe routes to schools programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23802/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme was launched in March 2021 with the aim of supporting walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools, and creating safer walking and cycling routes within communities, through the provision of infrastructure interventions. This should help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school.
931 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June 2021 that they were selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme. Subsequently two schools have deferred their applications and one school has withdrawn, leaving 167 schools in Round 1. 108 schools were announced as part of Round 2 of the Programme in December 2022, totalling 275 schools now at varying stages of options development, design, planning, construction or completion.
It should be noted that all schools that applied to the original call for applications were accepted into the programme, and if not selected in Round 1 or Round 2 will be selected for forthcoming rounds.
The funding for Safe Routes to School forms part of the overall allocation of €290 million to the NTA's Active Travel Programme, which is distributed to projects across all 31 local authorities. Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your specific questions relating to SRTS funding to that agency for answer. If you do not received a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
202. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if the RSA issues guidelines to driving schools in order for driving instructors to be respectful and mindful of residents living in the area in which driving lessons are taking place; if the RSA has an established procedure for dealing with complaints from residents relating to the conduct of driving instructors in an area; if such a procedure exists, if he will outline this procedure and its complaint mechanisms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23805/23]
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.
203. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport what his engagement to date has been with both Cork County Council and Cork City Council in progressing EV charging infrastructure for homes and apartments without their own driveway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23653/23]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
In January, I launched the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.
A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
Destination Charging will be a strong priority for ZEVI in 2023. In addition to a general scheme, a number of bespoke schemes are also in advanced stages of development, including
• A shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which will install up to 200 fast chargers
• An EU Just transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers
These nearly 300 sites, in addition to those under other destination schemes currently planned will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme which will be launched by ZEVI, will provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home. In addition to this we will be working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years
Local Authorities will be key partners with ZEVI in delivering a national EV charging network, and ZEVI has already established strong links with Local Authorities, with representatives from Local Authorities on the ZEVI Assurance Board, as well as three of its EV infrastructure delivery stakeholder groups.
ZEVI has held meetings with both Cork City Council and Cork County Council in recent weeks to engage with and to assist the Councils with developing their EV Infrastructure strategies. This process is current and will include the provision of funding and guidelines to the authorities for strategy development, an element of which will relate to the formulation of suitable strategies for catering to the charging requirements of those without access to their own charger (households without off-street charging capability and those living in Multi Unit Dwellings) in line with the National EV Infrastructure Strategy.
204. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Irish Rail on the matter of their booking systems, which, when accessed via web browsers on smart phones and apps, are repeatedly crashing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23894/23]
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 operations of public transport.
The issues raised by the Deputy in relation to Iarnród Éireann's booking systems are an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann, and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
205. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on an emerging preferred route for the N3 to N4 link road and any work that has progressed between NTA, TII, Fingal, Kildare and South Dublin County Councils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23904/23]
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 proposed project, including on engagement with other stakeholders.
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.
