Written Answers Nos. 163-177
163. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the number of fatalities and serious injuries caused to road users since 1990 on the N22 road between Farranfore village and the Lissivigeen roundabout on the Cork side of Killarney; if he is aware of these statistics and realises the danger of this road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33949/23]
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.
164. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the number of fatalities and serious injuries, caused to road users since 1990 on the N86 road between Camp junction and Dingle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33950/23]
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.
165. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if a comparative traffic count and analysis will be conducted between the R561 from Castlemaine to Annascaul and the N86 from Camp Junction to Annascaul; if he realises the huge concern in the Castlemaine, Keel and Inch areas regarding the volume and size of traffic now using the R561; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33951/23]
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.
In relation to the R561, Kerry County Council is the statutory road authority for its area. This is a matter for consideration by the Council in conjunction with TII who have responsibility for the operation of the N86.
166. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the light rail system in Cork and the stations that will be on the northside of Cork city. [34074/23]
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 in our cities, including light rail.
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.
167. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the proposed timeline for the M20 project. [34086/23]
View answer168. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the spend to date on the M20 project. [34087/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
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 Cork to Limerick 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.
169. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the cost of BusConnects in Cork to date. [34088/23]
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 Cork.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of various aspects of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects Cork.
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.
170. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications received for the electric taxi vehicle grant and the number approved to date in 2023. [34089/23]
View answerThe Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is in place to support the greening of the SPSV, or taxi, sector. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO2 emissions of a sector which typically has very high mileage, and also can positively influence the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.
The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department of Transport and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs.
From 2018 to 2022, the eSPSV Grant Scheme supported 1,426 SPSV drivers in purchasing electric vehicles. €15m has been allocated to the Scheme in 2023 to enable owners of small public service vehicles, such as taxis, hackneys and limousines, to buy electric vehicles. As of 30th June 2023, there have been 1,249 applications with 182 grants paid and a further 98 approved for payment. In addition, over 400 applicants have received a provisional grant offer.
171. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department or any agency under the aegis of his Department operates a ‘barter account’ for the provision of goods or services; if so, if payments have been directed to be made to a barter account during the period 2011 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34158/23]
View answerThe Department of Transport does not operate a 'Barter Account' for the provision of goods or services. I have requested that agencies under the Department's remit respond directly to the above query. If you do not receive a reply within ten working days, please contact my office.
172. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if a formal site transfer from Wicklow County Council to his Department for the Coast Guard station at a location (details supplied) has been finalised; and if not, when it will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34189/23]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the Irish Coast Guard building programme – essentially aimed at ensuring facilities for Coast Guard Units along the coast are fit for purpose. The programme is managed through the Office of Public Works (OPW) from planning design to build and on-going maintenance, with legal assistance as necessary from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.
The Greystones project is a priority build on the Building Programme for the IRCG. It has been the subject of a number of significant revisions in terms of plans primarily owing to excessive cost and affordability. The location of the site identified for the new Coast Guard station has also presented challenges particularly in terms of the requirement to ensure adequate storm resilience.
The Office of Public Works are currently engaging with Wicklow County Council with regard to the final requirements of the site acquisition and plan development. Once these final matters are resolved the OPW will progress to tender and construction at the site. The construction of the new facility is currently estimated to take approximately 14 months from commencement to completion.
I have recently met with Minister O’Donovan to discuss the IRCG building programme and will continue to engage with Minister O’Donovan, OPW and officials within my Department on this matter.
173. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport when the procurement process will begin for a contractor to complete the construction of the Coast Guard station at a location (details supplied); the timeframe for construction to occur; when it is intended that the facility will be available for use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34190/23]
View answerThe Greystones project is a priority build on the Building Programme for the IRCG.
The Office of Public Works are currently engaging with Wicklow County Council with regard to the final requirements of the site acquisition and plan development.
Once these final matters are resolved, the OPW will progress the procurement process and then initiate construction at the site.
The construction of the new facility is currently estimated to take approximately 14 months from commencement to opening.
174. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the full-year cost of establishing a public bike scheme in County Monaghan consisting of ten bike stations and 100 bikes; the full-year cost of establishing a public bike scheme in County Cavan consisting of ten bike stations and 100 bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34236/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure. Details regarding contracts, operation and expansion of existing and proposed bike schemes fall under the remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA) working in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
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.
175. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of EV charging points delivered, by county, in 2022 and to date in 2023, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34253/23]
View answer176. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of EV charging points connected to the ESB grid, by county, in 2022 and to date in 2023, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34254/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years.
In July 2022, I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. A suite of new grants and initiatives have been launched and further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
ZEVI has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
In January this year, 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.
ZEVI is developing a number of infrastructure schemes to support the rollout of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
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 is expected to install up to 200 fast chargers
• An EU Just transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers
These circa 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 will also be launched by ZEVI to 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 schemes directly launched by ZEVI, there is a strong growth in the provision of private sector charging projects which aim to facilitate charging at all levels, from Destination and residential to ultra-rapid and high-powered charging, such as is required along major routes and for heavy duty vehicles.
With an investment of €10 from the Climate Action Fund and a matching €10M from ESB, ESB ecars are rolling out fast charging hubs and fast charge points across the country. Their program is as follows:
• 50 charging “hubs” throughout Ireland which can charge between 3-8 vehicles simultaneously, 23 of which have been delivered
• Replacing 50 existing standard chargers with fast chargers, 40 of which have been delivered
• Replacement of over 200 other standard to increase reliability of service
In relation to the number of charge points per county, public EV charge points are provided in Ireland by a number of charge point operators on a commercial basis. ZEVI is engaging with these charge point operators as key stakeholders in the delivery and roll-out of fast charging points across the country. ZEVI is also working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years.
There are approximately 2,100 charge points in Ireland. The Department of Transport does not yet hold exact numbers of public EV charging points in Ireland in particular locations, as these are owned and operated by private chargepoint operators. Once Local Authorities' EV infrastructure strategies are complete, the Department will have an accurate statement of charge points per county.
177. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of people who sat the driving test in each county in the State in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [34257/23]
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 the 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.
