Written Answers Nos. 201-220
201. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the reason a service is not providing wheelchair-accessible transport to an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48370/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to 'open' public transport. Funding for individualised ‘closed’ transport and mobility services are outside of my public transport remit.
However, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of accessible 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 accessible public transport services in County Carlow, 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.
202. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the reasons the €170,000 announced for Ballyhaunis under the Smarter Travel funding is no longer available; where this secured funding has gone; when these funds will be made available; and the date upon which the works will commence (details supplied). [47249/23]
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.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, 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.
203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport to sanction a raise in the pension of CIÉ retirees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47252/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to their pension schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term.As of end December 2022, the Balance Sheet deficit for the two defined benefit pension schemes operated by CIÉ, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), was €396.5m. While the funding position improved during 2022, and the 1951 scheme now meets the MFS, the RWS currently does not meet the MFS and the funding level is marginal and subject to future market volatility. In relation to RWS, I signed three Statutory Instruments related to the RWS on 6th July 2022, with an operative date of 18th July 2022.Regarding the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to Labour Court recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by ballot of trade union scheme members in May 2021. This is being considered by the Department in conjunction with NewERA. The Deputy may also be aware that the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days and the outcome from the Hearing is expected in the coming months (next update due on 25 October).Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
204. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he will ascertain the number of staff employed by the road toll companies since Covid; if the companies can reduce tolls due to the fact that all tills are cashless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47305/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day-to-day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of 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.
205. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport the reason the lay-bys are closed on the M17/M18 motorways and the M6 motorway, when drivers are encouraged to rest but there is no place to pull in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47306/23]
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.
206. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Coonagh/Knockalisheen Road project in Limerick; when he anticipates the works to recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47325/23]
View answer207. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for the delay in appointing new contractors to complete the Coonagh/Knockalisheen Road project in Limerick, considering 18 months have elapsed since the previous contractor entered receivership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47326/23]
View answer208. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the reason it has taken 13 months to appoint a new contractor to the Coonagh/Knockalisheen Road project in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47327/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 206, 207 and 208 together.
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 Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants.Limerick City and County Council is the contracting authority for the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road project. The Council has advised my officials that works on the Ballygrennan Bridge which is over the Galway-Ennis railway line and a further contract involving facilities for Irish Water are now substantially complete. Separately, contract documents were also prepared for the construction of the remainder of the project and the tender process for this part of the works has recently commenced. Subject to a successful tender process it is expected the main construction contract for the remainder of the works will commence in 2024.
Planning and implementation of the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road project is the responsibility of Limerick City and County Council.
209. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport to detail any ongoing or previous use of artificial intelligence within his Department. [47346/23]
View answerA publicly available AI tool has been used in one instance in my Department, in April of this year. This was used in an exploratory manner to summarise a publicly available report. No commercial, sensitive or non-public information was entered into the platform as part of this evaluation. As advised by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in their release “Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies” published on 1 June 2023, staff in my Department are developing risk assessment frameworks and policy guidelines for staff to ensure that any use of AI tools is done in a safe and appropriate manner and on the basis of an accepted business case. Until this work is complete and in place, my Department has acted on the advice of the NCSC by restricting access to AI tools by default. As a result, there is currently no use of artificial intelligence platforms in my Department.
210. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the speed limit reviews being carried out by local authorities are paused pending instructions from his Department, which is delaying the implementation of safety measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47387/23]
View answerIn response to the alarming rise in road deaths this year, I have announced a new Road Traffic Measures Bill 2023. This will be a focused Bill addressing key issues, which I aim to see passed as soon as possible. This Bill will address speed limits, penalty points, and testing of drivers for drugs.
In the case of speed limits, it will implement crucial recommendations of the recent speed limit review completed by my Department to reduce certain default speed limits. The default limit on national secondary roads will be reduced from 100km/h to 80km/h, that on local roads will come down from 80km/h to 60km/h and that on roads in built-up areas will be reduced from 50km/h to 30km/h. As I am sure the Deputy knows, reducing speed not only reduces the risk of collisions, but also reduces the risk that collisions, when they happen, will lead to death or serious injury.
In addition to the Bill, my Department has commenced work on updating the Guidelines for Managing Speed Limit in Ireland. The update will seek to address matters relating to the Default Speed Limits in support of the Bill.
Although transition arrangements will be required, work currently underway in relation to ongoing local authority reviews should continue where possible and where such proposals are consistent with the recommendations of the review. In that regard, the Review Group and my Department will liaise with local authorities as to those transition arrangements.
211. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will receive his driving test date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47403/23]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Consequently, information on applicants is held by the RSA and neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases.I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response on the specific case raised. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
212. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will approve the establishment of bus shelters in an estate (details supplied). [47416/23]
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 planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the national provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
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.
213. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure double-decker services for a route at peak times (details supplied). [47417/23]
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 question raised by the deputy in relation to ensuring double-decker services for a route at peak times 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.
214. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport when a driving test will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47425/23]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test Service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department hold information on or have the have the power to intervene in individual cases.
I have therefore referred the Deputy's Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
215. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding any Department-led initiatives aimed at increasing the supply of bus drivers to help achieve climate objectives related to the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47432/23]
View answerMy Department engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Q4 2022 in relation to work permits for bus drivers from non-EU and non-EEA Countries and the possible inclusion of bus drivers on the critical skills list due to the current driver shortages being experienced across the system. My Department engaged with all PSO operators and representatives from the commercial bus sector as part of this process.
As a result of this engagement, in December 2022 the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced that changes had been made to the permit system to help ease the recruitment challenges being faced in the transport sector with the establishment of a quota of 1,500 employment permits for bus and coach drivers. These changes came into effect on the 16th of December 2022.
216. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Mallow relief road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47511/23]
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 €100,000 has been allocated for the Mallow Relief Road scheme 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. 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.
217. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Cork-Limerick motorway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47512/23]
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 €5,000,000 has been allocated for the M20 Limerick to Cork Road scheme 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. 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.
218. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Northern Ring Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47513/23]
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 €100,000 has been allocated for the Cork City Northern Transport Project 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. 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.
219. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if, in line with the reduced fares on public transport operators, there is a similar rate reduction for private operators servicing the same NTA routes. [47523/23]
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 operators, 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.
220. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport to provide details of the bus fleet serving the Bus Éireann 216 and 220 routes; the number of single and double decker buses; the age of each vehicle; and number of drivers assigned to the route. [47544/23]
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 question raised by the Deputy in relation to details of the bus fleet serving the Bus Éireann 216 and 220 routes; the number of single and double decker buses; the age of each vehicle; and number of drivers assigned to the route 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.
