Tuesday, 25 Jul 2023

Road Projects

Questions (243)

John Brady

Question:

243. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if he intends on progressing the N81 Tallaght to Hollywood crossroad improvement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36654/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Departmental Communications

Questions (244)

Brendan Smith

Question:

244. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his Department, and all agencies under the remit of his Department, have their telephone contact details on their websites and on other media platforms; if all stationery and headed notepaper used in correspondence with the public contain relevant phone contact details, taking into account that everybody is not in a position to correspond by e-mail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36706/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

I am advised by officials in my department that the telephone contact details for the Department of Transport are listed on the department’s official website i.e. phone number: 01 670 7444. I am also advised that the telephone contact details are listed on the department’s official letter headed paper.

I am further advised by my officials that the homepages of all the department’s social media platforms provide a link to the website where the phone number is listed.

I have asked the agencies under my department’s remit to respond to you directly. If you do not hear from them within 10 working days, please advise my private office.

Transport Policy

Questions (245)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

245. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport if he has plans to increase these fees. [36707/23]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Deputy Jack Chambers)

There are no plans at present to adjust the charges for the detention, removal and storage of vehicles. It should be noted that there is no deterrent or punitive aspect to these charges. Any change would depend on whether an Garda Siochána take the view that the charges need to be raised due to a rise in costs.

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Questions (246)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

246. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 22 June 2023, for an update on the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities in Galway; for an update on the site location analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36749/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is leading the development and rollout of strategic park and ride sites nationwide, including in Galway.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Public Transport

Questions (247)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

247. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 22 June 2023, the status of the promised feasibility study on light rail in Galway; the expected timeline for the public consultation on the draft Galway metropolitan area transport strategy; the expected timeline for the publication of the completed updated strategy; the value of the contract awarded to a consultancy firm (details supplied) for the management and development of the updated strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36750/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy is aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, have begun the process of developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS). The new strategy will replace the current Galway Transport Strategy.

Following an open tender competition, the NTA 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 later this year as part of the development process.

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

Bus Services

Questions (248)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

248. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on his officials’ engagements with the NTA surrounding the rollout of 24-hour bus services in Dublin, in particular the N11; when it is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36806/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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.

Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the rollout of 24-hour bus services in Dublin, in particular the N11, 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

Bus Services

Questions (249)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

249. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the status of a bus shelter (details supplied); and the issues stopping the placement of same. [36814/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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, including the provision of bus stops/shelters nationwide.

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.

Bus Services

Questions (250)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

250. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus users on each individual bus route in Cork city and county in each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [36815/23]

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Written answers

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure, including the provision of funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for bike-sharing schemes like the Regional Bikes Scheme in Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.

However, matters related to the day-to-day operations, management or expansion of public bike schemes, including the roll-out of electric bikes, in each city is a matter for the relevant local authorities, in conjunction with the NTA.

As such, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. 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

Question No. 256 answered with Question No. 176.

Public Transport

Questions (257)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

257. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost to run a six-month pilot scheme in Cork city and county based on the €9 climate ticket proposal, as trialled and adopted in Germany. [36858/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.

The PSO programme represents a significant expenditure of taxpayers' money, and funding has increased in recent years to cater for additional services and growing capacity. Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific questions in relation to the estimated cost to run a six-month pilot scheme proposal as trialled and adopted in Germany, 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

Public Transport

Questions (258)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

258. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost to run a six-month pilot scheme in Waterford city and county based on the €9 climate ticket proposal, as trialled and adopted in Germany. [36859/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Transport

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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.

The PSO programme represents a significant expenditure of taxpayers' money, and funding has increased in recent years to cater for additional services and growing capacity. Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific questions in relation to the estimated cost to run a six-month pilot scheme proposal as trialed and adopted in Germany, 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