Written Answers Nos. 280-306
281. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the balance that will be funded by his Department for the non-national road element of the R407 Sallins Bypass and Osberstown Interchange in 2023 and 2024 (details supplied). [37794/23]
View answerThe Department is continuing to liaise with Kildare County Council regarding outstanding expenditure for such items as accommodation works and the Percent for Art installation. The 2024 allocation will be decided and notified to the Council as part of the general grant allocation process in the New Year. In relation to the scheme retention payment due in 2024, the amount attributable to the Sallins Bypass and Osberstown Interchange elements of the scheme is €870,000 approx. and, on the basis that the Development Contribution associated with those elements has been expended, the retention is payable by the Department.
282. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 23 March 2023, if the procurement plan for both an operator and associated bus stop infrastructure for a town bus service in Clonmel, County Tipperary, has been finalised; if the procurement process has been completed; if the Clonmel town bus service will begin as planned in Q4 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37797/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has 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 the development of new town services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of services, including those in Clonmel town and the provision of bus stop infrastructure, 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.
283. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport to report on contact he or his officials have had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with his officials regarding amending legislation to allow for bicycle storage facilities in the front of terraced homes without having to obtain planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37836/23]
View answerThe Government's commitment to increasing the number of people choosing sustainable transport modes over private car use is reflected in the significant increase in investment in recent years, particularly in the areas of walking and cycling. As well as improving and expanding the infrastructure network and increasing the delivery capacity of behavioural change programmes such as Smarter Travel, Green Schools Travel and CycleRight training, it is equally as important to work to remove barriers to Active Travel, where possible.
Many of these barriers fall outside the remit of my Department, including certain potential tax measures which could be introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, to combat financial barriers to cycling, or the issue of bike storage at the front of residential properties which, as pointed out by the Deputy, falls under the remit of the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Officials from my Department are in regular contact with other Government Departments in relation to various cross-Departmental issues. My officials have been in correspondence with the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage as recently as last month in relation to the aforementioned issue of bike storage. While supportive of any potential change to planning regulations to allow for bike storage at the front of residential properties, this correspondence highlighted various transport-related issues which would have to be considered by the parent Department ahead of any regulatory changes, including issues which might arise if storage was placed in front of terraced houses.
This is an ongoing matter which is as yet at an early stage. The Departments of Transport and Housing, Local Government and Heritage will continue to liaise in relation to same, as it progresses.
284. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons who lost their driving license on medical grounds in each of the years 2018 to 2022; the number who lost their license who were aged over 66 years; the number who lost their license who were aged under 66 years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37841/23]
View answerThe National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) does not have a record of those people who are not eligible for a driving licence due to being medically unfit. Generally, if a person goes to a GP for a medical report and is advised that they are not fit to drive then they do not make an application to NDLS for a driving licence.
285. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the current number and wait times for a driving test, per test centre; the number of driving testers for each test centre; his plans to clear the backlog of driving test waiting times; the target timeframe for same; if he will consider outsourcing to the private sector, in line with measures taken by his Department in 2005 to reduce the backlog of driving test wait times; the total cost of the contract awarded to the private company in that period; the estimated cost to outsource further to the private sector to clear the current backlog, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37844/23]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Consequently, the detailed information requested is held by that agency. I have referred that part of the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
There are no plans to outsource the driver testing service. Previously, the backlog in the service has been alleviated by recruiting additional driver testers, such that the supply of services required meets demand. As recently as last year, my Department sanctioned the recruitment of 30 additional permanent driver testers.
I acknowledge that the service continues to suffer under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which has increased by 28% compared with 2021 figures. In response to these pressures, the Authority reviewed the capacity of the driver testing service again and, following a request for additional resources, my Department gave approval for further recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to just over 200.
This recruitment is well underway and being managed by the Authority. However, a recruitment campaign of this size takes time. It is expected that once these additional driver testers are trained and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will be actively managed such that agreed service levels resume and wait times begin to decline. I have been advised by the Authority that the first newly recruited testers should be deployed in late September.
The additional driver testers will be allocated across the driver testing service with a focus on the geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.
286. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he will list the reason a driving tester may decline to proceed with a driving test; if his attention has been drawn to instances where a test will not proceed due to a slightly faded but in date insurance disk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37845/23]
View answer287. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of times a driving test did not proceed, despite the applicant having been offered a test date and having paid the money, due to issues on the day of the test, for example, faults with the physical car, lights, display of insurance disk, and so on, in 2022; and if a breakdown can be provided on that figure per test centre. [37846/23]
View answer288. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of times in 2022 that driving tests did not proceed due to the fact, that on the day of the test the driving tester stated that the car's insurance disk was slightly faded; and if a breakdown can be provided on this figure per test centre. [37847/23]
View answer289. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if there is an appeals process in place for instances where a driving tester refuses to proceed with a driving test on the day of the test due to issues with the vehicle for example, insurance, brake lights, and so on; if there is a means by which the customer may seek their money back, or challenge the decision of the tester. [37848/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 286 to 289, inclusive, together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driving Test service. As such, the detailed information requested in relation to reasons why a test may not proceed and specific statistics around some of those reasons is held by that agency and I have referred the queries to the RSA for direct response. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
290. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of people who failed the driving test in 2022 in each test centre in the State. [37849/23]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driving Test service and holds the detailed information requested. I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for a direct reply on the specific issue raised. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
291. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport if the additional delay in the tender process for the redevelopment of Kishogue train station has added to the cost of works; the total development costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37875/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the development and implementation of rail infrastructure such as Kishogue train station.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputies questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
292. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider an extension of the 20% fare discount to private operators to not only boost the numbers using buses but also to reduce the number of cars using the roads in the context of the upcoming budgetary discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37877/23]
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 regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
I do believe that public transport fare initiatives have a role to play in combatting the rising cost of transport and in encouraging modal shift. However, it should be noted that unlike with PSO services, the National Transport Authority (NTA) do not set, monitor or regulate fares on services run by commercial operator, which are set by the individual operators.
While it is not currently intended to include the commercial operators as part of the 20% average fare initiative, it should be noted that the Young Adult Card which was initially introduced on PSO services on the 9th of May 2022 was extended to participating commercial bus operators on the 4th of September 2022.
293. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport the waiting times for driving tests at each of the driving test centres in Cork and Kerry; the number of driving test slots that have been lost due to cancellations at each driving test centre for the past six months; if he is satisfied that the RSA has the optimum systems in place with the re-allocation of test slots that are cancelled at short notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37880/23]
View answerI have been informed that 4-5 % of driving test slots were lost each month due to cancellations at short notice from January up to the end of July 2023. While cancellations at short notice can contribute to lengthy wait times, the broader issue faced by the service is unprecedented levels of demand, which has increased by 28% since 2021. In response to a request from the Road Safety Authority (RSA), earlier this year my Department gave sanction for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers to help address the existing backlog, bringing the total number of sanctioned driver testing posts to 200. I have been informed that the first of these driver testers will have completed their training and be deployed from the end of September, after which point service levels should begin to improve.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driving Test service. As such, the detailed information for each centre you have requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply on those specific issues. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
294. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) has had their application for a priority driving test rejected; if he will review this decision; the average waiting times for driving tests at the driving test centre involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37883/23]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I, nor my Department, have the power to intervene in individual cases.
The detailed information requested is held by the RSA. I have therefore referred the Question to the RSA for direct reply on the specific issues raised. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
295. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the net underspend after carryover surrendered by his Department to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37909/23]
View answer296. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the 2022 capital budget allocation to his Department; and the amount and percentage of that funding that was spent and surrendered and-or unused. [37928/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together.
Deputies,
Please see a table below setting out the requested information concerning the Department of Transport's capital budget in 2021 and 2022.
|
Budget and Out-Turn (‘000s) |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Total Capital Budget |
2,527,500 |
2,547,000 |
|
Total Out-Turn |
2,316,285 |
2,402,184 |
|
Total Capital Carryover |
161,100 |
137,956 |
|
Surrender to Exchequer |
50,115 |
6,860 |
|
Percentage of Capital Carried Forwards |
6.37% |
5.42% |
|
Percentage of Capital Returned |
1.98% |
0.27% |
As the table demonstrates, the net underspend after carryover for 2021 and 2022 is relatively modest at less than 2% of the budget for each year. Over the period 2021-2022, my Department has made significant investments in active travel and greenway infrastructure, in new national and regional and local road construction and in protection and renewal of road and rail networks. My Department has also made extensive investments in EV Grants and EV infrastructure, as well as safety and security in Regional Airports and Maritime Safety and Security.
Where public transport infrastructure is concerned, my Department has continued to steer major public transport projects through planning and design phases and the planning system. The Department has invested heavily in new bus and rail carriage fleet as we work towards decarbonising public transport services, modernising fleets and expanding capacity. The Department has also invested heavily in key network enablers, of particular note, the ongoing construction of the National Train Control Centre and the Dublin City Centre re-signalling project. These investments will maximise the utility of the infrastructure elements of major transport projects when they move from the planning into the construction and delivery phase.
297. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of extending the 20% reduction in public transport fares until 31 December 2024. [37929/23]
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 regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the estimated cost of extending the 20% reduction in public transport fares until 31 December 2024, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
298. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of WTE ship surveyors employed by his Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [37930/23]
View answerOf the Department's Marine Survey cohort, the number of whole-time equivalent ship surveyors employed by my Department for the years 2021 to date is provided in the table below:
|
Status Date |
No. of Ship Surveyors |
|
01/01/2021 |
7 |
|
01/01/2022 |
6 |
|
01/01/2023 |
5 |
|
06/09/2023 |
6 |
299. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the release of rescue helicopter footage (details supplied); if footage from rescue operations under investigation are permitted to be posted on social media; and if not, whether his Department will investigate the matter. [37954/23]
View answerI am advised that this query most likely relates to an incident that occurred on 6th of June 2022 off Sherkin Island Co Cork when the crew of a yacht were evacuated by Baltimore RNLI with an Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) Helicopter also on the scene.
This incident is under investigation by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB). With all such investigations the MCIB may request relevant IRCG records including video footage where available, as was requested for this incident.
The IRCG has strict controls and protocols in place when releasing any footage of incidents that comes under its control.
As with all social media, unfortunately the posting of rescue operations by possible other various sources is outside the control of the IRCG.
300. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of existing and proposed bus services for Cahervagh, County Cork; if a route linking Cahervagh to Bantry and Skibbereen could be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37957/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has 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 the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for new and enhanced public transport services under Connecting Ireland, including services in County Cork, 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.
301. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport if the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris is included within the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37995/23]
View answer350. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if any funding has been allocated in the National Development Plan for the Western Rail Corridor; and if so, if he will provide a breakdown by current and capital costs. [38423/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 350 together.
As reiterated in the National Development Plan, the Western Rail Corridor is being considered as part of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review which I announced in 2021 in partnership with the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The need for Ireland to develop a more strategic framework for investment in our rail network was previously noted by JASPERS, an agency of the European Investment Bank. This Review is the first such Departmental-led Review in two decades and the first to be conducted on an all-island basis.
The Review 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. The Review is considering the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that scope includes the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft report was published for the purposes of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) public consultation in July. The reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris is included in the recommendations in the draft report. Following the SEA process and finalisation of the report, it is expected that it will be submitted for the approval of the Minister for Transport and 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.
The final Review will be published pending Government approval in both jurisdictions.
302. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport if the development of the Navan to Dublin rail line is included within the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37996/23]
View answer351. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if funding has been allocated in the National Development Plan for an expansion of the Navan Rail Line; and if so, if he will provide a breakdown by current and capital costs. [38424/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 351 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the issue of a rail connection to Navan was examined as part of the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) review of the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). The Strategy is a multi-modal, twenty year transport strategy for the region and one that must be reflected in relevant land-use strategies across the GDA.
A Navan rail link is included in the GDA Transport Strategy as one of the proposed projects to be delivered. As it stands, the Strategy proposes delivery of the Navan rail line in the medium term, from 2031-2036. A project of this scale will require significant planning and design before construction can commence. It is expected that this planning and design will commence in the second half of this decade under the National Development Plan funding envelope out to 2030.
303. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of sustainable transport projects currently awaiting approval from An Bord Pleanála, by county, by project cost, by reason and length of time awaiting decision, in tabular form. [37997/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for sustainable mobility policy and the overall funding of sustainable mobility projects. These encompass infrastructure associated with walking, cycling, and public transport such as new cycle lanes and greenways, as well as large-scale infrastructural efforts such as those being undertaken as part of DART+, BusConnects and MetroLink.
However, the responsibility for the relevant planning applications and other administrative and operational aspects of these projects rests, in the first instance, with NTA, TII, and the relevant local authorities.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy’s question to both NTA and TII for direct response. If no response has been received in 10 working days, please contact my office.
In the interim, the Deputy can find an update on work to date in the National Sustainable Mobility Policy One Year Progress Report, which is available online at www.gov.ie/en/publication/9aecf-national-sustainable-mobility-policy-year-one-progress-report/
304. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the status of the opening of Kishoge train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38009/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the development and implementation of rail infrastructure such as Kishogue train station.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputies questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
305. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the new Dublin Bus routes that the NTA intend to include on a 24-hour services during 2024. [38031/23]
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.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the new Dublin Bus routes that the NTA intend to include on a 24-hour services during 2024, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
306. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the investment in national rail services since 2021, including the number of kilometres of new track laid and kilometres of track electrified. [38032/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport, including rail. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network, including the number of kilometres of new track laid and kilometres of track electrified, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
Noting Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a direct reply on the specific matter raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
