Written Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the progress made in relation to the All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review; when it is intended to publish the final report; if, in light of the absence of an Executive in Northern Ireland, he intends implementing immediately the proposals that are totally within this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52622/23]
View answer42. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his Department intends to implement the recommendations of the All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review Report published this summer; the next steps following the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52081/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 42 together.
The All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken by the Department of Transport in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades.
The Review is considering the future of the rail network with regard to the following ambitions: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities (including the potential for higher/high-speed rail), enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development, and rail connectivity to our international gateways. This includes the role of rail freight and consideration of the growth potential of the rail freight market.
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 public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September and submissions are now under review by the Project Team and officials from both jurisdictions
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 future development of railways in both jurisdictions will be directed by Government in each jurisdiction and legislatures. More work is needed to test the feasibility of many recommendations included in the Report, and each recommendation would be subject to appraisal, environmental assessment, and decision in line with applicable governance processes.
22. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he is in receipt of a funding application from Cork County Council to repair local bridges damaged by recent flooding as a result of Storm Babet; when he expects to be in a position to make a decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51886/23]
View answer278. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he is in receipt of a funding application from Cork County Council to repair local roads damaged by recent flooding as a result of Storm Babet; when he expects to be in a position to make a decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51887/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 278 together.
As the Deputy is aware, 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 these roads are funded from Councils’ own resources and supplemented by State Road grants. The Department emphasises to local authorities each year the importance of setting aside a contingency fund to manage events such as severe flooding.
Storm Babet has caused significant damage to the regional and local road network in Cork and it will take time to assess the full extent of the impact on the road network. Cork County Council is presently liaising with my department's road engineers to provide initial damage assessments and estimated repair costs. Noting the extent of damage and the associated potential costs occurred towards the end of the annual work programme, the Department is aware that most of the Council's funds in this financial year are expended or committed and any level of reprioritisation of work is limited.
For this reason, Cork County Council have been allocated a Severe Weather Grant of €350,000 to support immediate emergency repairs and facilitate the opening of some key roads. Prompt restoration of the road network is required to maintain a safe environment and enable social/economic connectivity. This funding is being made available from within the 2023 Regional and Local Roads Grant allocation, and as such, the fund is limited.
I am committed to working closely with Cork County Council to assist in addressing the issues caused by Storm Babet and to help restore our road network. Road grant allocations for the coming year are expected in early 2024.
23. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the southern relief road in Carlow. [52621/23]
View answerThe 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 these roads are funded from local authorities' own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
Approximately 90% of available Exchequer grant assistance to local authorities for regional and local roads is directed to maintenance and renewal works rather than for new roads or for road realignments.
Any new road projects proposed by local authorities are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All new projects must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
Having regard to the above, Carlow County Council have prepared a Strategic Assessment Report which examined options in relation to a potential Southern Relief Road. Following consideration of this Report, the Council was given clearance to proceed to prepare a Preliminary Business Case. I am given to understand that the Council is in the process of progressing this Preliminary Business Case now.
24. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on progress towards meeting the transport emissions reduction targets under the climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52853/23]
View answerClimate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) was the first statutory climate plan to incorporate both the economy-wide targets and legally binding sectoral emission ceilings, set by Government in July 2022. For transport, we are now obligated to pursue a decarbonisation pathway capable of achieving a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030, in a manner that is consistent with a sectoral emissions ceiling of 54 Mt for the first carbon budget period (2021-2025), and a sectoral emissions ceiling of 37?Mt over the second carbon budget period (2026-2030).
The design of the decarbonisation pathway for transport set out in CAP23, was premised on an ‘Avoid-Shift-Improve’ hierarchy for greater transport sustainability and has been informed by detailed transport modelling undertaken with the National Transport Authority.
The targets we have set out reflect the transformative scale of change required to deliver a 50% reduction by 2030, and include a 20% reduction in total vehicle kilometres travelled (relative to a 2030 ‘business-as-usual’ scenario), significant behavioural shifts in the level of daily active travel and public transport journeys, and reductions in the number of daily car journeys, alongside ambitious fleet electrification and renewable transport fuel usage targets.
At present, the cumulative emissions over the first two years of the carbon budget programme (22.6 MtCO2eq.) suggests that we are currently aligned to the required compliance pathway to 2025, with 41.9% of carbon budget 1 expended over the first two years, and 2022 emission levels were 4.5% lower than 2018 levels. However, we have seen year-on-year increases in transport emissions since the unwinding of Covid-19 travel restrictions, and though the rate of bounce-back now appears to be slowing, decoupling the direct correlation between transport emissions and wider social and economic activity remains the fundamental challenge for the sector - if it is to achieve its targets. A balanced combination of measures will be required in order to change long-established and systemic patterns and preferences in how and where we travel, and to address the multitude of potential influences on our transport decisions.
However, very encouraging progress is being made. Our latest figures show that there are over 107,373 electric vehicles currently on Irish roads (3.6% of the national fleet) which is on profile to meet our target of 175,000 private EVs by 2025. We have also witnessed a strong recovery in the rates of public transport usage since COVID-19, with an indicative 110% increase in mid-week patronage on public service obligation routes (PSO) over Q1 2022 levels.
Other key items of progress to note include:
• the launch of the ‘Your Journey Counts’ national advertising campaign;
• a 20% average fare reduction on PSO public transport services, the first such reduction in 75 years, to help combat the rising cost of living, and to encourage and facilitate greater uptake of our public transport services;
• Over 328,000 young adults and students have benefitted from a further 50% reduction in public transport costs since the introduction of the Young Adult Scheme on PSO services in May 2022 and in September 2022 on participating commercial services;
• the continued implementation of actions in our Sustainable Mobility Policy Action Plan and Pathfinder Programme;
• the progression of BusConnects, MetroLink and DART+ schemes through key decision gates in the planning system;
• the publication of new and revised metropolitan area transport strategies for Waterford, Limerick-Shannon and the Greater Dublin Area;
• the publication of regulations to increase the rate of bioethanol blending in line with our Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2023-2025;
• increased delivery of active travel infrastructure across the country, supported by the publication of the Cycle Design Manual and public consultations to inform the ongoing development of an extensive cycling network across our National Cycle Network and CycleConnects infrastructure programmes; and
• the continued roll-out of the NTA’s Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Programme.
25. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport his views on a review into the regional airports programme with respect to Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52882/23]
View answer28. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport when he expects to conclude a review of the regional airports programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52618/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 28 together.
I thank the Deputies for their interest in the Regional Airports Programme 2021–2025, which calls for a mid-term review of the Programme to be completed this year.
This Programme provides support to Ireland’s smallest airports i.e., those that provide scheduled passenger services and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers (on average over the two preceding financial years). In addition to targeting funding at safety and security related projects and activities, the Programme also supports projects with a sustainability focus, encouraging airports to reduce emissions and build climate resilience. Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services between Donegal and Dublin are also supported under this Programme.
The primary focus of the mid-term review is on the performance of the Programme since 2021 to date. However, in order to consider how services to and from the regions can be maintained and enhanced, the mid-term review is also exploring how international connectivity and balanced regional development is being supported.
Furthermore, given the calls from some for the inclusion of Shannon Airport under the Programme on a more permanent basis, consideration to expanding the scope of the Programme to include airports of up to 3 million passengers is also being considered. As the Deputies are aware, due to supressed passengers numbers in 2020 and 2021, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, both Shannon and Cork regional State airports had become eligible for funding under this Programme in 2022. While Shannon Airport remained eligible for supports this year, neither Shannon nor Cork airports will be eligible for supports under the Programme in 2024.
That said, Government provided significant targeted support for our State airports in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and although the aviation sector as a whole is still in recovery our regional airports have rebounded strongly since the final travel restrictions were lifted in 2022.
Since 2020, Shannon Airport has received unprecedented Exchequer funding totally over €39m and I will be announcing the allocations for regional airports (including Shannon airport) in respect of 2023 shortly. This Exchequer support to Shannon Airport has supported a strong recovery in passenger traffic.
I recently visited Shannon Airport to launch the report on the economic impact of the Shannon Airport Group. This report confirms that the airport has had a very strong recovery from the pandemic and this performance has continued into 2023. Shannon Airport has provided increased connectivity with the most recent statistics from the end of October showing that passenger traffic is 13% above the same period in 2019.
I am delighted to see that the 2023/24 Winter Schedule announced from Shannon Airport has new and additional routes including a new service to Paris Charles de Gaulle with Aer Lingus which provides additional European hub connectivity from Shannon. We know that the quality and range of air services available from Shannon Airport is a key contributing factor in decisions by foreign companies to locate in the mid-west region. In this regard, the recent announcement of the restoration of Delta Air Lines daily seasonal service from Shannon to New York for 2024 is also welcome. The service will provide additional transatlantic connectivity which is important for business.
Notwithstanding this strong recovery of connectivity and passenger traffic at Shannon Airport, the matter of broadening the scope of the Regional Airports Programme to include Shannon Airport was raised as part of a Public Consultation process, which was held earlier this year. The findings of this public consultation are being considered as part of the mid-term review, which is currently being finalised by my Department with a view to it being complete later this year.
26. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to upgrade bus services across mid-Cork including Macroom to Cork, Macroom to Bandon and other local services based around Macroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52771/23]
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 decisions in relation to the routes 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 queries in relation to any plans to upgrade bus services across mid-Cork including Macroom to Cork, Macroom to Bandon and other local services based around Macroom to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
27. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the concern in relation to the deteriorating public bus services in County Meath; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52788/23]
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 decisions in relation to the routes 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 queries in relation to issues with bus services in County Meath to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
29. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport to ensure that when a coroner makes a recommendation to Transport Infrastructure Ireland and a local authority to conduct a safety review following fatalities, that such a review takes place and safety measures are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52786/23]
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 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.
30. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if timetable estimates have been carried out by Irish Rail or the National Transport Authority in relation to the possible impact on enterprise train services between Belfast and Dublin of the DART+ Coastal North plans; if not, to outline the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52751/23]
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 the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal North.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
31. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on progress with regard to electrification of the rail network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52876/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport in Ireland, including in relation to the rail network. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network, including the electrification of the rail network, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance.
Currently, the DART network in Dublin is the only electrified part of the Irish rail network, approximately 50km of track running from Malahide to the City Centre and southward to Greystones. Upon completion of the DART+ Programme the amount of electrified track will be trebled.
Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme was included in Ireland’s National Recovery & Resilience Plan, as submitted to the European Commission in 2021. All works associated with Phase 1 will be completed by end-2026 as required by the European Commission. This will see a significant investment (€164m of EU funds) in Cork’s rail infrastructure, which will facilitate the longer-term electrification of the network through construction of a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station to create an integrated suburban network, re-signalling of the network, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton.
This Summer, Iarnród Éireann awarded a contract for battery-electric train-charging infrastructure at Drogheda to Alstom. The fast-charging infrastructure at Drogheda will enable new battery-electric DART+ trains, entering service in late 2025, to operate to and from Drogheda in advance of planned electrification of the line.
In addition to these projects, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken by the Department of Transport in cooperation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades. The Review has focused on how the rail network across the island could contribute to the decarbonisation of the island’s transport systems, promote sustainable connectivity into and between major cities, enhance regional accessibility, and support balanced regional development. The development and implementation of an All-Island Rail Decarbonisation Strategy that includes an electrified intercity network has been included in the recommendations in the draft Report.
Noting IÉ's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to it for a more detailed reply in relation to specific issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
32. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he is considering making further funding available in 2024 to progress the N2 Ardee to Carrickmacross route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52752/23]
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.
The upgrade of the N2 Ardee to Carrickmacross road is being progressed as part of the proposed N2 Ardee to Castleblaney Road scheme and I can confirm that €600,000 has been allocated to this project in 2023. The funding for this scheme, as with all schemes, will be kept under review and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII in 2024. The allocations for 2024 are expected to be announced by the end of the year.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct update as to the latest status of this project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
33. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport what guidance was given to him from either the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth or the Minister of State with responsibility for disability regarding the implementation of the UNCRPD and consultation with DPRO's; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52806/23]
View answerMy Department is aware of the obligations on Member States under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth and the Minister of State for Disabilities have overarching responsibility for the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCPRD). My Department will comply with all guidance from either Minister regarding the implementation of the UNCRPD in Ireland.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department and its agencies, for example the National Transport Authority (NTA) engage with stakeholders in relation to responsibilities towards disabled people and persons with disabilities under the UNCRPD and national strategies such as the Public Sector Duty. In addition, each of the public transport companies have a Disability Users Group comprised of members of the disability community who meet with management of the companies.
34. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the progress to date to expand public transport provision in County Meath, in particular the Navan rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52787/23]
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 decisions in relation to the routes 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 request for an update of the progress to date to expand public transport provision in County Meath, in particular the Navan rail line, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
35. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the progress of the northern distributor road; the amount of funding that will be allocated in 2024 to progress the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52473/23]
View answerThe Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040 has been developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork County Council. A key principle for CMATS is to reduce dependency on the private car within the Cork metropolitan area, while increasing the appeal of sustainable transport options, such as the proposed Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route which will cater for bus movements as well as segregated cycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
In line with the Public Spending Code (PSC), Cork City Council prepared a Strategic Assessment Report for the Cork Northern Distributor Multi-Modal Route and submitted this report during 2022 for formal review, as was required by the PSC. The NTA undertook a review of the Strategic Assessment Report and provided feedback in December 2022 to Cork City Council on aspects of the proposal that needed to be further addressed before approval to proceed to the next phase of the project could be granted.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to NTA for a more detailed response on the specific issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
36. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he is concerned at the impact that lifting the passenger cap at Dublin Airport would have on local residents, including noise pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52854/23]
View answer56. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his views on lifting the cap on passenger numbers at Dublin Airport, given commitments made under the climate action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52852/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 56 together.
The government supports the policy objective of reducing aviation related emissions. As aviation emissions are outside the scope of Climate Action Plan targets, efforts to mitigate the climate impact of air transport operations are generally being pursued internationally through what are known as a 'basket of measures' which include operational efficiencies, technology innovations, sustainable aviation fuels and market-based measures.
My Department has been engaged in work at both EU and international level to develop measures that aim to decarbonise the industry. The most notable of these is the EU-Emissions Trading Scheme which has included aviation since 2012. A more ambitious approach to this Scheme was agreed this year which provides for the phasing out of free allowances to air operators requiring them to either reduce their emissions or purchase additional emissions credits.
Last month, the Refuel EU Aviation Regulation was published. The Regulation aims to increase the availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) across the EU while maintaining a level playing field. From 2025, it will oblige fuel suppliers to make increasing levels of SAF available, blended with jet fuel, at Union airports, while Union airport management bodies are required to take all necessary measures to facilitate the access of operators to such fuel.
At the same time aircraft operators will be required to uplift at least 90% of their journey fuel requirement before departing a Union airport to avoid fuel tankering. The SAF industry is a nascent one, and it is anticipated that the introduction of mandates at EU level will provide an appropriate signal to the production industry that there will be a market for these types of fuels.
I am establishing a SAF Task Force to bring together relevant stakeholders with responsibility or interest in SAF policy development. The main goal of the Task Force will be to assist my Department with the development of a national SAF Policy Roadmap which will help guide policy development and identify the actions necessary to ensure that Ireland can play its part in helping to decarbonise aviation.
Increasing the capacity of Dublin Airport is in line with national aviation policy which recognises the strategic importance of Dublin Airport in meeting national social and economic policy goals and includes a specific objective of developing Dublin Airport as a hub airport with the necessary capacity to connect key existing and emerging global markets.
A passenger cap of 32 million passengers per annum is currently in place at Dublin Airport. This passenger cap is a planning condition attached to planning permission granted for Terminal 2 (condition 3). The condition was put in place principally due to surface access constraints at Dublin Airport.
daa has statutory responsibility for the management, operation, and development of Dublin Airport. This includes applying for planning permission for increasing the passenger cap and any infrastructure development at the airport required to support connectivity.
In this regard, I am aware that daa intends to submit a planning application to Fingal County Council next month to allow it to grow beyond the 32m passenger cap to 40m passengers and for all associated infrastructure required to support this increase in passengers including the construction of new aircraft piers and stands.
As part of its capital investment plan, daa plans to invest €400m in the next four years in sustainable infrastructure upgrades such as solar PV and a widescale electrification of its fleet. This is part of the development required to achieve its stated goal to reduce carbon emissions by 51% by 2030 and to be net-zero by 2050.
While I recognise the importance of the airport to Ireland island economy, it is important to the Government in ensuring the sustainable development of Dublin Airport, to balance 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.
In this regard, the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Act 2019 provides a wholly independent aircraft noise regulation process in accordance with EU Regulation 598/2014 and provides that all future development at Dublin airport is subject to assessment and mitigation in respect of the impact of associated aircraft movements on the noise environment around Dublin Airport.
The aircraft noise regulation process is tied in with the planning process, which provides safeguards against any award of planning permission until such time as the proposal has been screened and/or fully assessed in relation to aviation noise impacts.
37. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport what action his Department is taking to deal with recruitment and retention challenges of bus drivers in the bus service, given the ongoing capacity issues across services nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52789/23]
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 such as driver recruitment.
I understand that many operators in the transport sector have experienced difficulties in recruiting new drivers. These issues are found across all types of operators both public and private. The National Transport Authority (NTA) have been working with operators to try and mitigate the impacts including running recruitment campaigns.
The NTA is in regular contact with bus operators, who are making every attempt to recruit more drivers so that all services can run as scheduled. Several operators have undertaken extensive driver recruitment campaigns in recent months with staff levels beginning to improve gradually, and significant numbers of additional drivers expected to become available once their required training and tests are complete and licences are issued by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The NTA has engaged with the RSA to expedite the testing and licence issue process for new bus drivers. In addition the Authority has undertaken a national advertising campaign to attract bus drivers to the industry.
Further, my Department engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) 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, including Bus Éireann, and representatives from the commercial bus sector as part of this process.
As a result of this engagement, in December 2022 the Minister for DETE 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.
38. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport his views on reports that Dublin Bus live timetables are often inaccurate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52815/23]
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 is also responsible for determining the organisation of shared systems such as real-time passenger information (RTPI).
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.
39. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the specific measures he is taking to comply with the EU and UN target to halve the number of road deaths by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51464/23]
View answerIreland’s current framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. This was launched in December 2021 and follows international best practice, aligns with EU and UN targets, and is based on the Safe System approach. The strategy is being delivered in partnership by my Department, the RSA, the Gardai and other state agencies.
The Strategy is currently in Phase 1, with close to 200 actions underway or already completed. Progress has been steady, with a majority on track to be delivered within the set timeframe. Key milestones include the signing into law of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 in June, the publication of the National Cycling Manual and the Speed Limit Review, both in September.
In considering the increasing trend in fatalities, eight Ministerial priority actions have been identified including reviewing the operation of the mobile safety camera system, bringing forward proposals to strengthen the penalty points system, reviewing the driver testing curriculum and speed limit review implementation.
Concrete steps have been taken in recent weeks to accelerate high impact actions. In September, Minister of Justice McEntee announced that the number of GoSafe camera van hours will be increased by 20% in the final months of the year.
A cross-government expert group has considered potential reforms to the penalty point system and urgent legislation is now being prepared by the Department of Transport.
In addition, the Road Safety Authority has been asked to urgently implement additional education and awareness campaigns before the end of 2023, targeting dangerous road user behaviours.
It is hoped that these accelerated initiatives and interventions will have a positive impact on achieving the target for 2030.
40. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the realignment works proposed for the New Mills section of the N71 near Owenahincha Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52608/23]
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.
I can confirm that €150,000 has been allocated for minor works on the N71 Newmills/Owenahincha in 2023. The funding for this scheme, as with all schemes, will be kept under review and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII in 2024. The allocations for 2024 are expected to be announced by the end of the year.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct update as to the latest status of this project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
