Michael Creed
Question:167. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) is entitled to a disability pass. [46350/23]
View answerParking Provision
Questions (167)
Written answers
The 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. The intention of the scheme is that appropriately sized, conveniently located parking bays, adjacent to essential services such as shops, pharmacies, doctors' surgeries and post offices, are legally reserved for those who might otherwise be unable to access such services because of restricted mobility.
As my Department has no role in the day-to-day administration of the scheme or the processing of permit applications, I can neither intervene in nor comment on any individual case. The Deputy may wish to advise his constituent to approach the joint issuing bodies of the scheme, the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI), to discuss her case in detail.
Penalty Points System
Questions (168)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:168. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport for clarification regarding the application of penalty points to drivers found operating a vehicle with an expired NCT certificate, when no NCT appointments are available to that person within 40 km of their local area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46372/23]
View answerWritten answers
Operation of the National Car Testing (NCT) Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply and I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
I understand that the RSA has made An Garda Síochána aware that some vehicle owners have encountered issues securing an NCT appointment over the last year. Motorists should keep a record of their upcoming test date in their vehicle. However, it is important to note that road traffic legislation requires motorists to maintain their vehicles in a roadworthy condition and it remains an offence, under the Road Traffic Acts, to drive a vehicle on a public road or in a public place without a valid NCT. Enforcement of road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
The Deputy will note that there has been considerable progress in addressing the long-term staffing issues which caused the testing backlog and in increasing capacity at test centres, including extensive recruitment of new vehicle inspectors. There are currently just under 620 testers in operation, with a further 50 in recruitment. Testers are being assigned to test centres with more significant delays. The national average waiting period is now just 19 days, with 28 centres with a wait time under 10 days and a further 16 under 20 days.
Department officials were meeting with the RSA on a weekly basis for much of the last year. The improvements in the NCT service to date mean that such regular meetings are no longer necessary. However, the Department continues to work closely with the RSA on NCT provision and the RSA continues to provide weekly updates. Monthly meetings will continue as part of RSA governance, and where pressing issues arise, meetings will be held promptly.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Bus Services
Questions (169)
Richard Bruton
Question:169. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport for the delivery date of all proposed BusConnects routes serving the Swords area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46457/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
Driver Licences
Questions (170)
Paul Kehoe
Question:170. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the status of new licence exchange agreements with non-EU or EEA countries, which would allow HGV companies to expand their pool of potential employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46459/23]
View answerWritten answers
In 2021, due to a shortage of professional drivers in Ireland and in the wider EU, the then Minister of State for Transport requested the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to prioritise the assessment of driving licence exchange agreements with countries that may provide Ireland with professional truck and bus drivers.
The RSA has engaged with Ukraine, Moldova, North Macedonia, Argentina and Georgia to consider exchange agreements. The Ukrainian process was paused and EU-wide arrangements are now in place on recognition of Ukrainian licences. The review processes with North Macedonia and Georgia are complete and work on the relevant agreements is in progress. The review processes for Argentina and Moldova are undergoing further consideration.
Rail Network
Questions (171)
Catherine Murphy
Question:171. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the funding that will be provided in 2024 and 2025 to purchase additional, larger carriages for the LUAS on both lines. [46470/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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, including the procurement of light rail carriages.
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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Bus Éireann
Questions (172)
Catherine Murphy
Question:172. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the new measures that are being taken to ensure greater capacity bicycle storage facilities on new Bus Éireann coaches. [46471/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 question raised by the deputy in relation to new measures that are being taken to ensure greater capacity bicycle storage facilities on new Bus Éireann coaches is an operational matter for Bus Éireann.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Airport Policy
Questions (173, 174)
Mark Ward
Question:173. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport in relation to the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order for US military contracted planes to take weapons through Shannon Airport and Irish airspace, if he can clarify what weapons, if any, have been transported through Shannon Airport with the purpose of being transferred to the Israel Defense Forces to be used on Palestinian civilians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46491/23]
View answerMark Ward
Question:174. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport if he can confirm that all US military contracted planes that have transported weapons through Shannon Airport and Irish airspace since 1 October 2023 to Israel have been checked for appropriate cargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46492/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.
No exemptions permitting the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory have been granted, pursuant to Article 5 of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, for flights by US civil aircraft to or from a point in Israel at any time this year.
Question No. 174 answered with Question No. 173.
State Bodies
Questions (175)
Carol Nolan
Question:175. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of all agencies and bodies under the aegis of his Department; if a dedicated Oireachtas email address is available for each; if not, if he will direct that such a dedicated email address be established to facilitate more efficient communication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46554/23]
View answerWritten answers
My officials have contacted Deputy Nolan, furnishing her with a comprehensive list of all Oireachtas liaisons within the agencies falling under the purview of my department.
Electric Vehicles
Questions (176)
Denis Naughten
Question:176. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the reason the new draft e-scooter regulations currently exclude shared e-scooters due to the fact that they include a 25kg weight limit; if he is aware that shared services include enhanced safety features which make such scooters heavier than 25kg; if he will outline his plans for such shared services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46573/23]
View answerWritten answers
My priority, in introducing this new form of road transport under the Programme for Government, is the safety of all road users, including e-scooter users. In the absence of a common EU position on the regulation of e-scooters, my Department undertook comprehensive public and stakeholder consultations to inform the drafting of Irish regulatory and technical requirements, including with the Road Safety Authority, the National Transport Authority, An Garda Síochána, local government and a range of industry, advocacy and accessibility groups.
The 2023 Road Traffic and Roads Act has established a new vehicle class, powered personal transporters or PPTs. PPTs, which will include e-scooters, do not need registration, motor tax, motor insurance or a driving licence. PPTs have a maximum weight, including batteries, of 25 kg, maximum power of 500 W and a maximum design speed of 25 kmh.
The weight limit provides for the safety of other road users, particularly more vulnerable users in segregated road spaces. In addition, as the 2021 EU Motor Insurance Directive, (EU) 2021/2118, requires compulsory motor insurance for any motorised road vehicle that is capable of more than 25km/h or that weighs more than 25kg and is capable of more than 14km/h, the PPT weight restriction avoids compulsory insurance becoming a barrier to micromobility uptake.
The draft Road Traffic (Electric Scooter) Regulations, which will be finalised before the end of this year, cover technical and design requirements for all e-scooters, private and rental, to be used on public roads, with the safety of all road users as the foremost consideration.
There is no change proposed to the weight limit of 25 kg for e-scooters in the draft Regulations. An increase in the limit would remove e-scooters from the PPT vehicle class and they would then require motor tax, registration and a licence to use on public roads, as well as motor insurance. As vehicles cannot be registered without EU type-approval, which does not currently exist for e-scooters, and in Ireland it is not possible to insure an unregistered motor vehicle, this is not currently a feasible option.
It is noted that some European cities have recently, withdrawn, or are considering the withdrawal of, commercial e-scooter rental services, on a number of grounds, including road user and pedestrian safety. Discussions on a common European position on e-scooters have recently begun and it is expected that solutions to many of the issues arising from their introduction and use, both private and commercial, will be addressed through that process.
Local Government Reform
Questions (177)
Catherine Murphy
Question:177. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport in the context of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, if he will provide a schedule of functions of his Department that have been devolved in full or in part, or are in the process of being devolved in full or in part; the date on which the devolutions commenced; and if he will indicate whether any function was returned to the Department subsequently. [46590/23]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:
|
Function that has been delegated |
Fully/Partly/in process of full devolution/in process of part devolution |
Date on which devolution commenced (if applicable) |
Has this function subsequently been returned to the Department? |
|
Reserved Functions of the Roads Acts, 1993, as amended, to be performed by Municipal District Members: - Section 11 - The making of an order declaring a road to be a public road and consideration of objections or representations in relation to such declaration. - Section 12 - The making of an order abandoning a public road and the consideration of objections or representations in relation to a proposal to abandon a public road and the report and any recommendations of a person appointed to conduct an oral hearing. - Section 73 - The making of an order extinguishing a public right of way and the consideration of objections or representations in relation to a proposal to extinguish a public right of way and the report and any recommendations of a person appointed to conduct an oral hearing. |
Fully devolved to Municipal District Members |
1st June 2014; S.I. 214 of 2014 |
No |
|
Reserved Functions of the Roads Acts, 1993, as amended, to be performed by the Local Authority: - Section 22 - The making of representations by a road authority to the National Roads Authority and to the Minister for Transport regarding a proposed national road alignment. - Sections 57 & 60 - The making of a scheme for the establishment of a system of tolls in relation to a regional road or a local road, the making of representations to the National Roads Authority in relation to a toll scheme in relation to a national road and the making of an order revoking a toll scheme in relation to a regional road or a local road. - Section 61 - The making of toll bye-laws in relation to a regional road or a local road. - Section 63 - Entering into an agreement for financing, maintenance, construction and operation of toll roads in relation to a regional road or a local road. - Section 72 - The making of bye-laws to regulate and control skips on public roads and the consideration of objections or representations in relation to the draft bye-laws. |
Fully devolved to Local Authorities |
1st June 2014; S.I. 214 of 2014 |
No |
Public Transport
Questions (178)
Steven Matthews
Question:178. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the expansion of young adult leap cards to include 24- and 25-year-olds; a timeline for the introduction of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46604/23]
View answerWritten answers
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.
As part of the overall PSO package for 2024, I secured funding for the continuation of the 20% average fare reduction on PSO services, the 90-minute fare and for an increase in the upper age limit for the Young Adult Card from 23 to 25-years-of age.
In light of the NTA's responsibility with regard to the administration of the Young Adult Card, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority 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
Driver Test
Questions (179)
Peter Burke
Question:179. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport if additional testers have been allocated to deal with the backlog of people awaiting driving tests; if he will provide an update on applications (details supplied), and if he is aware the delays are causing extreme hardships to people on apprenticeships who require cars to travel to work. [46606/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes the deployment of driver testing staff and the status of applications.
As such, I have referred aspects of the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
On the broader issue of delays, the service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which has increased by 28% compared with 2021 figures. The Authority is currently providing an average of 4,000 tests per week, up 25% on this time last year.
Anticipating these pressures, earlier this year the Authority reviewed the capacity of the service and, following a request for additional resources, my Department gave approval for the 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 underway and I have been advised that the first tranche of new recruits were deployed in September. It is expected that before the end of the year there will be a net increase of 42 driver testers and they will be allocated across the driver testing service with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.
The RSA estimate that the agreed service level of average wait times of 10 weeks will resume in mid-2024.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Public Transport
Questions (180)
Seán Sherlock
Question:180. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport when the new rail fares for the proposed Dublin community zone will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46624/23]
View answerWritten answers
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. Further, the NTA also has responsibility for the publication of the Fares Determination which sets out the fares for public transport services.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Road Projects
Questions (181)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:181. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided to repair road infrastructure in Cork city and Cork county, following severe flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46680/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, it will take time to assess the impact of Storm Babet and the associated flooding events on the road network. My Department will liaise with the relevant local authorities throughout this process.
That being said, the 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 the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. All regional and local roads grants are fully allocated for 2023 with little scope currently within existing roads budget for provision of additional funding in this financial year.
The Department emphasises to local authorities each year the importance of setting aside a contingency fund to manage events such as severe flooding. In addition there is good flexibility within the annual grants programme to allow local authorities re-prioritise funding following such incidence as severe weather events. However, noting this event has occurred towards the end of the Council’s annual work programme I am aware that the level of reprioritisation may be limited, and as such my Department will work with the affected local authorities as required to facilitate the management of repair works. These works and funding requirements will also be considered in the 2024 grant allocations which are expected to issue in Q1 2024.
In relation to national roads, 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 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.
The allocations for national roads for 2024 are expected to be announced by the end of this year.
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