Written Answers Nos. 249-262
249. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport to report on the work of the sustainable mobility research network; if he can provide an update on the mapping on the research already being undertaken on gaps identified; what research has been conducted or is currently being completed; how this provides an evidence-base for Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34982/23]
View answerUnder Action 74 of the Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP), my Department has established a Research Network to advise on, agree and focus resources towards research priorities which provide an evidence base for implementation of the Policy, drawing on national and international best practice. The Research Network is made up of representatives from my Department, the National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and Regional Assemblies.
The Network aims to enhance collaboration between members and ensure that the research being funded or conducted across the network is closely aligned with the needs of the Policy and that it supports the monitoring, or implementation of specific SMP Actions. The Network functions as a research coordination group, similar to other bodies across the Civil Service. It seeks to:
• prevent replication of research,
• promote synergies for research projects, and
• in general make the most efficient use of scarce research resources across the transport sector.
It also aims to support closer engagement between policy makers and the research community and help identify data gaps and provide a signal if research is taking place at the right level of detail and within the right timeframe to effectively inform policy.
In order to support the coordination of research across Network members, my Department coordinated the development of an initial set of research priorities, based on the 10 high level goals of the SMP and accompanying actions in the SMP Action Plan. A series of meetings were held between Network members where priorities were initially developed and then refined. The outcome of these meetings was a set of eight SMP Research Priorities (see Table 1 below).
Following the development of these research priorities my Department engaged in a research mapping exercise, where existing research currently being undertaken across the network was mapped against the research priorities. In total 35 projects were identified as falling within the scope of the SMP. The research mapping exercise also revealed that there were no projects currently identified as specifically addressing research priorities six and eight which relate to research on accessibility of transport users with specific mobility needs to sustainable transport modes and the provision of new technologies to promote sustainable and shared transport modes, respectively.
In addition to considering the classification of research across research priorities this exercise also considered, the timing and delivery mechanisms used to provide research.
The results of the research mapping exercise are currently being used by SMP Research Network members to inform their future research and research calls. My Department has also engaged with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) on potential opportunities for closer links and collaboration between academic researchers and policy makers.
Officials from my Department have also engaged with existing research networks and communication channels such as the Irish Transport Research Network (ITRN), a group of researchers and academics in universities and institutions of higher education, policy makers and practitioners government departments and industry professionals to promote innovation and progress in Transport in Ireland. A representative from my Department will present at the ITRN annual conference at the end of August to communicate future plans for research to be advanced by the Network.
These activities support the academic and research community in preparing research proposals which align with the priorities of the SMP and allow the members of the SMP Research Network to tailor future research calls and proposals which support advancing research under at least one SMP Research Priority area.
Table 1 SMP Goals and SMP Research Priorities
|
SMP Goal |
Associated SMP Research Priority |
|
Goal 1: Safe and Green Mobility. |
1. Evaluating factors affecting users’ perception of safety when using sustainable modes of transport and the most impactful interventions to address user concerns related to safety, including analysis of impacts for specific groups of transport users based on factors such as age and gender. |
|
Goal 2: Decarbonise public transport. |
2. Research to identify and address challenges associated with the roll out of electrification and low carbon technologies in public transport vehicles including rural and interurban vehicle fleets. |
|
Goal 3: Expand availability of sustainable mobility in metropolitan areas. |
3. Research to identify the key drivers and barriers to people in urban/rural areas choosing to engage in active travel and public transport and to identify the most impactful changes which can stimulate significant levels of behavioural shift in areas including: a) Infrastructure provision. b) Service delivery. c) Travel cost d) Communication and information campaigns e) Safety f) Shared mobility & services |
|
Goal 5: Encourage people to choose sustainable mobility over the private car. |
4. Research to evaluate the impact of demand management measures, including road space reallocation, implemented in the urban centres.
5. Research on factors which lead to reduced car ownership (car shedding) and reductions in private car use, including workplace and community interventions. |
|
Goal 6: Take a whole of journey approach to mobility, promoting inclusive access for all. |
6. Research to assess the needs of transport service users with specific mobility needs including people with reduced mobility and how these needs can be best served through the provision of transport services. |
|
Goal 9: Better integrate land use and transport planning at all levels. |
7. Research on the impact of infrastructure development to support integration of transport and land-use planning which reduce the need to travel and promote sustainable mobility, including 15-minute cities and 10-minute towns. |
|
Goal 10: Promote smart and integrated mobility through innovative technologies and development of appropriate regulation. |
8. Research to promote and integrate innovative technologies to promote sustainable mobility including micromobility, Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and shared transport solutions. |
*Note not all SMP Goals have an associated research priority and some priorities address more than one SMP goal.
250. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the total amounts paid for State bodies (details supplied) for each of the years 2020 to date, to include benefit-in-kind payments and any other benefit, similar to the table provided for the DAA returns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34985/23]
View answer251. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if the benefit-in-kind payments (details supplied) that is paid for by the individual; if not, if it is paid for by the State hence it's inclusion in the final total yearly amounts; the type or types of vehicles used that equates to a payment in 2020 and 2021 of €677 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34986/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.
All CEO salaries and benefits are published in the company’s Annual Report and Financial Statements in keeping with the Business and Financial Reporting requirements of the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
Following my 5 July reply to the deputy in relation to PQ 33062/23, the table attached has been updated in keeping with the daa returns, including a breakdown of any benefits in kind and the remuneration package totalled per agency. The figures have not changed for agencies where the original response was ‘Nil’.
Footnotes and explanations per agency have been provided to confirm if the benefit in kind is paid for by the individual and the types of vehicles used.
252. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to the introduction of a taxi service (details supplied) to ease difficulties with provision of taxis in rural parts of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35004/23]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
However, I can inform the Deputy that Uber has been licensed by the NTA as a dispatch operator and has been operating as such in Ireland since 2014. Since Uber is considered a transport service which offers the carriage of passengers for reward, it is subject to the same regulations as other SPSV operators. Dispatch operators are required to only provide bookings to SPSV licensed drivers using SPSV licensed vehicles.
As Minister for Transport, I launched the 2023 Local Hackney pilot scheme last January in 21 designated areas, for which applications closed on 28 February. This is a one-year grant aided pilot programme that aims to assist in the provision of part-time local hackney services in designated rural areas which cannot support a full-time taxi or hackney operation. With this new pilot service, rural communities across Ireland will be given the opportunity to have a part time local area hackney service available to them.
The NTA manages the Rural Transport Programme on behalf of the Department of Transport, including the Local Area Hackney Scheme. The NTA will monitor the pilot over the coming year and learn from it, so that it can be rolled out across many other areas if it proves successful. Further details of the pilot scheme, including the areas currently included, are available on the NTA’s website: Local Hackney - National Transport www.nationaltransport.ie/taxi/localhackney/.
253. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the status of having Leap cards access not just top-ups but use for travel on a smartphone app; and the costs incurred, if any, to date on the development of same. [35031/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has agreed responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing technology.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in relation to this 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.
255. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine the feasibility of eliminating the reverse requirement for trains entering and exiting Killarney train station; his views on whether a lengthening of the platform would be a cost-effective measure to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35047/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network, including stations on the network, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance.
Noting the IÉ's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a more detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
256. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport what actions his Department is taking, in conjunction with the RSA to address the ongoing difficulties in getting driving test appointments, in particular for re-test appointments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35144/23]
View answerWhile the operation of the National Driving Test Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), I understand that in terms of re-tests, where someone is unsuccessful at their driving test and reapplies, the RSA fast-track their application and send them a new invitation to book a test 6-8 weeks after their unsuccessful attempt to originally pass their test. However, presently, there are some locations where this is longer the case. Once the invitation is sent it is the same as with a first-time test and the applicant can choose any available slot.
On the matter of the steps being taken to reduce driving test waiting times I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is working closely with the Authority on addressing driver testing waiting times, which is an issue of great concern across the state. The service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which is up 28% on 2021 figures.
The RSA has reviewed the capacity of the driver testing service to meet demand and following a request for additional resources in March 2023, my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers.
It is expected that once these additional driver testers are recruited, trained, and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will start to reduce from October 2023 and agreed service levels should resume by early to mid-2024. The additional testers will be assigned to fill current vacancies and otherwise allocated to centres with the highest demand for tests. The recruitment process by the RSA is currently well under way.
257. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport the reason persons suffering from cancer are not eligible for a blue disability badge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35167/23]
View answerThe Disabled Parking Permit (also known as the European Parking Card or Disabled Parking Badge) is available to people living in Ireland whose mobility is severely restricted, whether they are drivers or passengers, and also to those who are registered blind. Eligibility for the permit is not based on specific illnesses or conditions, but rather on the extent to which such an illness or condition directly affects the applicant's ability to walk.
A cancer diagnosis neither entitles a patient to nor excludes them from holding a Disabled Parking Permit. An individual may be eligible where a doctor deems their mobility to have been severely affected by the illness, and applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
258. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update in respect of the north-eastern Maynooth outer orbital route, MOOR, to Moygaddy (details supplied). [35169/23]
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 local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is 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 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 Transport 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.
My Department has not received an application from Kildare County Council regarding the north-eastern MOOR to Moygaddy.
259. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will directly intervene in a case (details supplied) regarding the maintenance of a roundabout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35237/23]
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.
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.
260. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will receive their driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35245/23]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test Service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases.
I believe that the RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process such that those who are eligible and have been waiting the longest are offered a test first, while those who fulfil the criteria for being a critical frontline worker can apply for a emergency test. Full details are available on the RSA website at: Driver testing FAQs from the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
261. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek an update from the MSO on whether access has been granted to board a ship and carry out the necessary examinations, if he will undertake to write to the Drogheda port authority urging action on this matter, considering the anger of the people of Drogheda at the lack of progress to date since it first sank; and if he will seek a finite expected date of removal of the ship from the River Boyne. [35249/23]
View answerIt is understood that the ship in question is the "M/V Hebble Sand" located in the Port of Drogheda. On this basis the Marine Survey Office (MSO) is proceeding in accordance with its established procedures and is waiting for the owner to progress their application. The Port of Drogheda is under the auspices of Louth County Council and ultimately the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and it is therefore advised that any queries regarding the Port be directed to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage or to Louth County Council.
262. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will write to Irish Rail, Louth County Council and the NTA to seek if a feasibility study can be undertaken to look at the provision of a new Drogheda north railway station to prepare for the introduction of DART services to Drogheda in the coming years given the phenomenal population growth in the town and the need to reduce the significant number of commuter vehicles; the carbon footprint travelling from the north of Drogheda to the south Drogheda railway station (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35266/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The maintenance, renewal and operation of the rail network and stations on the network, including the proposed station referred to, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance.
As the Deputy may be aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in cooperation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It will inform the development of rail on the Island of Ireland in the coming decades to 2050, in line with net zero targets in both jurisdictions. Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and it is expected that a draft will be published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation later this month. Following consultation, it is expected that the final Review will be published before the end of the year.
Noting IÉ's responsibility in relation to the rail network and stations on the network, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a more detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
