Written Answers Nos. 41-60
42. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if he will allocate funding from the active travel budget to fund monitoring stations to determine air quality on streets undergoing active travel projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43182/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Air quality will be a key consideration of the National Demand Management Strategy. Under CAP23, the Department of Transport committed to developing a National Demand Management Strategy which will explore a range of measures that will address the issues of GHG emissions, air pollution, road safety, congestion and placemaking. The Strategy, which is in development, will be published in 2024.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter of active travel funding allocation, 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.
43. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport what engagement he has had with the Dublin Airport Authority, Fingal County Council, the Irish Aviation Authority and residents of Fingal regarding the excessive aircraft noise over residential areas, as of September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42894/23]
View answerI would like to thank the deputy for his question.
I wish to advise the deputy that I meet regularly with the CEOs of daa and the Irish Aviation Authority and have also had engagement with Fingal County Council and political representatives representing constituents who are affected by aircraft noise in their areas.
As the deputy is aware, daa has the statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport and I understand that Dublin Airport has a dedicated Community Engagement Team (CET) which is tasked with communicating through several channels with local residents impacted by airport operations.
I am advised that to date in 2023, the CET has completed over 70 home visits and one-to-one meetings with residents on various issues including airport operations, flight paths and noise monitoring. In addition, the team actively participates in six Community Liaison Group meetings and four Dublin Airport Environmental Working Group meetings each year, (all of which are independently chaired) as well as supporting and administering Dublin Airport’s voluntary dwelling purchase scheme and insulation schemes for eligible residents. daa has also increased the number of Noise Monitoring Terminals (NMTs) in place since the opening of North Runway in August 2022. At the direction of the Aircraft Noise Competent Authority (ANCA), there are 15 permanent live NMTs now in place around Dublin Airport with a further 8 NMTs expected to be in place by the end of 2023. The noise levels from these NMTS are made publicly available on the daa’s flight tracking system “WebTrak,” introduced by daa in 2021 which provides a simplified way for members of the public to monitor flights and submit noise complaints.
Noise mitigation at Dublin Airport is subject to substantial regulation and oversight as well as best practice mitigation measures. These measures are designed to address long-term adverse effects of aircraft noise on health and quality of life, whilst also facilitating the sustainable development of the airport and the broader economy.
In the National Aviation Policy (2015), and in more recent decisions, the Government confirmed its support for the North Runway and the development of Dublin Airport as a hub with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets.It is important to the Government, in ensuring the sustainable development of Dublin airport, to balance the ambitions of the daa in pursuit of the objectives of the National Aviation Policy, the needs of business and tourism interests and the legitimate rights of local residents who are concerned about noise levels, particularly at night.With that in mind Government has put in place a legislative framework for managing noise at Dublin Airport. ANCA is the noise regulator and was established under the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019. Its statutory functions include:1. Monitoring the impact of aircraft noise 2. Assessing proposals for development at Dublin Airport 3. Regulating for the management of aircraft noise.In 2022, ANCA defined a Noise Abatement Objective (NAO) for Dublin Airport to manage the effects of aircraft noise emissions on the surrounding communities and environment at the airport. It gave a clear policy objective set against measurable criteria and outcomes. ANCA produces a report annually reproducing the NAO together with an inventory of the measures identified by daa to mitigate the noise impacts at Dublin Airport.ANCA commenced a review in December 2022 on the impact of aircraft noise on the communities around Dublin Airport. Through this process, ANCA will determine whether it is necessary to introduce additional noise control measures around the airport.
44. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the details of the Local Link services currently available in County Cavan; if he will outline plans for additional routes or an expansion of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41550/23]
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 delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of public transport services in county Cavan, 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.
45. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the reason the most industrious bus routes in Cork city and county are under resourced and unable to fulfil their obligations at peak times; the reason that schoolchildren are waiting up to two hours to get on a bus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42833/23]
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.The issue raised in relation to bus routes in Cork city and County are matters for the NTA in conjunction with Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
46. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding progressing the N86 Tralee to Dingle Road upgrade and the N22 Farranfore to Lisivigeen (Killarney bypass) projects in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43052/23]
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, upgrade 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 these projects.
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.
47. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to progress the north ring road in Cork city; what level of funding will be allocated for the coming year, in view of the large volume of traffic which is now forced to travel through Mayfield, including traffic heading for the port facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43081/23]
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 project.
I can confirm that an allocation of €100,000 was made to Cork City Council for the Cork City Northern Transport Project (formerly the Northern Ring Road). As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2024 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
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.
48. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport what plans he has to reduce fares in budget 2024, in light of the cost of living and climate crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43106/23]
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 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 question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
49. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he will allow the Mallow bypass to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43057/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the NDP.
The Government has earmarked €5.1bn for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. As the greater portion of this funding becomes available in the second half of the decade, this means that there is a constraint on the funding available for new projects this year.
Approximately €491m of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2023. These allocations were announced by the Department of Transport and TII on the 16th of February 2023.
Having regard to the funding constraint outlined above, it was not possible to provide an allocation to all new national road projects in the NDP for 2023. However, the majority of projects have been allocated funding, including the Mallow Relief Road, which has been allocated €100,000.
This project remains in the NDP, and as with all national roads projects included in the NDP, the delivery programme will be kept under review for 2024 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
50. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if consideration is being given to designing a new grant for EVs in budget 2024, bearing in mind the current grant will be reducing from €5,000 to €3,500 in July 2023; if further incentives are being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30142/23]
View answerThe Government has committed significant funding to support zero and low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund, the Shared Island Fund and the EU Just Transition Fund.
€110m has been allocated in 2023 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. This underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.
Current financial supports from ZEVI, and where applicable with support from the Department of Finance, for the transition to electric vehicles and for the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure include:
• A purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs);
• A Home Charger purchase grant scheme - up to €600;
• An apartment charger scheme;
• Benefit-in-Kind tax relief for battery electric vehicles;
• VRT relief of up to €5000 for BEVs;
• eSPSV grant scheme – a grant for taxi drivers to make the switch to an EV;
• AFHDV grant scheme – a grant for HDVs to bridge the gap between a low emission vehicle and a fossil fuel vehicle;
• Low rate of annual motor tax; and
• Tolling reductions of 50% for battery electric vehicles and 25% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
These and related infrastructure supports will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.
As Budget 2024 discussions are ongoing, I cannot comment on any matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
51. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the need to introduce traffic signals at the junction of the Shanaway Road and N85 just outside of Ennis, as part of an overall solution to improve safety at this location and access for the communities nearby; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43051/23]
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.
52. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered increasing the off-peak frequency of the Luas to encourage greater use of public transport and reduce car dependency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43107/23]
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.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to increasing the off-peak frequency of the Luas, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
53. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the proposed changes by BusConnects for services that operate through Clondalkin, particularly the 13 and 68 bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43176/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. There have been significant developments in relation to bus transport 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 Dublin.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects Dublin.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions in relation to the areas raised to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
54. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport for an update on plans to increase capacity on train lines serving Clondalkin, Hazelhatch and Adamstown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43039/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, 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 planning and implementation of the DART+ South West project which will serve the stations referred to by the Deputy.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
55. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority will consider a surrender grant for non-wheelchair taxi licence holders, so as to increase the overall supply of wheelchair taxis. [43181/23]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the administration of the wheelchair accessible vehicle grant scheme, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
56. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied with the manner in which transport planning and road and transport infrastructures respond to the needs of fast-growing population areas, particularly around our cities. [43049/23]
View answerAs alluded to by the Deputy, the population of Ireland is projected to grow significantly by 2040. My Department is involved in a number of initiatives aimed at ensuring that our transport planning and transport infrastructures can meet the needs of this growing population.
The National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI), published in December 2021, was developed by my Department to ensure our transport system can manage the demands that this growth brings and to plan today for how we will invest in the coming years and decades. NIFTI has been developed to ensure sectoral investment is also aligned with the National Planning Framework (NPF) and supports the delivery of the ten National Strategic Outcomes (NSOs).
The identification of specific transport projects and potential investments is guided by the National Transport Authority’s Metropolitan Area Transport Strategies and the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies. All five cities designated under the NPF - Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, and Galway - have recently developed, or are currently developing Metropolitan Area Transport Strategies which set out programmes of proposed transport investment in active travel, bus and rail for each metropolitan area over a twenty-year period. This evidence based, plan-led approach to transport planning is in line with international best practice and will allow our cities to grow in a sustainable and compact manner .
The NIFTI has placed active travel at the top of the transport investment hierarchy. This is reflected in the significant increase in funding for walking and cycling in recent years, equivalent to 20% of the 2020 transport capital budget or €360 million per year. The provision of 1,000km of walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025 is targeted in the National Sustainable Mobility Policy , with over half of that already provided by 2022. It is important that active travel infrastructure is provided in areas which will feel the greatest impact, such as built-up urban areas with fast growing populations. It is important that resources, such as schools, are connected to residential areas through walking and cycling infrastructure in order to provide the greatest number of people with the option of active travel as a transport mode. The Department is liaising across government such as the Department of Education and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in this regard.
The Climate Action Plan 2023 highlights the importance of embedding transport orientated development (TOD) at all stages of planning and development, particularly the siting of services and multi-use development at transport nodes. Transport orientated development is a key policy objective of the Government's Housing for All plan, and a working group was established in December 2021 under Action 26.1 of Housing for All to consider opportunities for TOD in major urban centres.
The working group is jointly chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and my Department, and includes representatives from the National Transport Authority and the Land Development Agency. The role of the working group is to consider opportunities for TOD in the five cities well as the wider eastern region. The working group will also review opportunities for better integration of land use and transport in regional centres.
In relation to regional and local road Infrastructure, the primary focus of investment is on the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network which plays a critical role in supporting economic and community links throughout the country and is used by buses, cyclists, commercial vehicles, HGVs as well as private cars. The NDP will enable a spend of €5.35 billion on the protection and renewal of regional and local roads over the 10-year period until 2030. This funding will help fund road pavement resealing and strengthening works across the network, bridge rehabilitation projects, climate adaptation and safety measures and drainage works. My Department will be investing over €675 million on new regional and local roads in the 10-year period to 2030 which can support the local economy, the Town Centre First policy, and improved accessibility.
Through these initiatives, I am confident that our transport network can meet the demands that population growth will bring whilst ensuring connectivity, accessibility, sustainability and safety.
57. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport if he has undertaken a review of the availability of charging points for electric buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43067/23]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that there are currently two separate initiatives underway to install electric charging points for bus.
The EU Just Transition Fund is seeking to address the adverse effects of the climate transition by supporting the most affected territories and workers concerned and to promote a balanced socio-economic transition. One of its key priorities in Ireland is providing former peat communities with smart and sustainable mobility options to enable them to benefit directly from the green transition. The EU Just Transition Fund is targeted at the Midlands area and the designated territory for this fund includes the counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath, as well as the municipal districts of Ballinasloe (Galway), Carrick on Suir, Thurles (Tipperary), Athy, and Clane-Maynooth (Kildare).
The decarbonisation of public local rural bus route(s) is proposed as an action, including the installation of charging points for electric buses and the purchase of electric buses. My Department is currently engaged with the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the EU Commission to finalise the implementation proposals.
Separately, the NTA is finalising the rollout of two electric buses on TFI Local Link services in the Dingle area and this includes the provision of charging points for these electric buses.
58. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the northern ring road for Cork. [43060/23]
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 project.
I can confirm that an allocation of €100,000 was made to Cork City Council for the Cork City Northern Transport Project (formerly the Northern Ring Road) in 2023. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2024 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
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.
59. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport what plans he has to increase frequency on existing routes and expand the number of routes and reduce fares, in light of the climate and cost-of-living crises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43120/23]
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. In addition, the NTA also has responsibility for for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
60. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport to devolve powers to local authorities to enable them to erect bus shelters as their councillors and engineers are best placed to decide on the safest and most appropriate location; and to change the current process whereby the funding is administered by the National Transport Authority. [42411/23]
View answerUnder the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, as amended, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has the function to 'secure or provide public transport... infrastructure in the State in relation to bus stops, bus shelters, bus stations, stands and bus fleets'. The Act also states that the NTA may enter into agreements with other persons for the purposes of achieving its function in this regard.
It is important that our public transport network is developed in an integrated and coordinated manner. In my view, it is appropriate that this function has been assigned to the NTA given the Authority’s role in the contracting and funding of Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus services and its regulatory role in relation to commercial bus licensing. The NTA works closely with local authorities to coordinate the development and implementation of bus shelter programmes at county level rather than through piecemeal arrangements.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for more details in relation to its bus shelter programme. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
