Written Answers Nos. 199-218
199. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56044/23]
View answerTá an t-eolas a iarrtar á chur le chéile agus cuirfear ar aghaidh chuig an Teachta é nuair a bheidh sé ar fáil.
200. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Iompair cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56062/23]
View answerTá an t-eolas a iarrtar á chur le chéile agus cuirfear ar aghaidh chuig an Teachta é nuair a bheidh sé ar fáil.
201. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will give further consideration to the issues raised in a motion passed by a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56079/23]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority. Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities' own resources.
In February this year I was delighted to announce an Exchequer investment of €626 million in our regional and local road networks which included an increase in funding of €20 million for road pavement and rehabilitation works.
At the start of 2023 Monaghan County Council were allocated over €16.2 million for regional and local road maintenance and improvement works which was to be used in conjunction with the councils own resources. In recognition of the fact that inflation is having a significant impact on the cost of delivering annual road programmes, local authorities were notified in July of a supplementary allocation of €22.5 million for their key road strengthening programmes. Monaghan County Council was allocated an additional €579,991 under this supplementary allocation.
Monaghan County Council used the State funding to help support an extensive 2023 programme of maintenance and improvement works alongside additional projects such as the N2 to N12 Link road (Monaghan Business Park) which was funded under the Strategic Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme, as well as four projects funded using the Specific Improvement Grant Scheme (Brackly Bridge Replacement; R181 Drumillard to Crossduff; R180/R181 Junction; and L63101 Drumary Bridge Replacement). Funding has also been provided to support a pilot project that examines and monitors the performance of recycled construction materials in pavement projects.
The main regional and local road grant programmes are focussed on three specific policy objectives: surface sealing to protect against water damage; road strengthening to lengthen the life of roads; and a Discretionary Grant scheme which supports a range of activities including pothole repairs, renewal of signs/lines, and winter maintenance. These three grant programmes account for most of the available funding with allocations being based on the length of the road network within a local authority's area of responsibility with some account taken of traffic. It is envisaged that grants will continue to be made available on this basis as it is the most equitable approach.
Apart from a requirement that 15% of the road strengthening budget is spent on regional roads, the allocation of funding to different categories of road is a matter for each individual local authority, having regard to the funding available to it from local and central sources as well as their own particular priorities. Allocations for the 2024 Regional and Local Roads Grant Programmes will be made early in the new year. Funding will continue to be allocated based on the length of the road network within a local authority's area of responsibility and is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources.
202. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will have further consideration given to the issues raised in a motion passed by a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56082/23]
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 2023, €600,000 was allocated for the N2 Ardee to south of Castleblayney scheme. The funding for this scheme, as with all schemes in the NDP will be kept under review and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII. Allocations for 2024 will be announced in the coming weeks.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct update as to the status of this scheme. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
203. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56120/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department is responsible for the implementation of 54 specific commitments in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future.
Significant progress has been made in all policy areas of my Department since 27 June 2020 and I believe that we are well on track to deliver on the Programme for Government commitments in all areas.
I would highlight the following key policy achievements over this period:
Climate Action
My Department achieved an overall completion rate of 73% under Climate Action Plan 2021, with 76 of 104 actions that were due by end Q4 2022 complete. Following Government’s establishment of the legally binding carbon budget programme and subsequent sectoral emissions ceilings, my Department has also completed a significant programme of work to recalibrate its sectoral decarbonisation pathway to comply with our 50% emissions abatement target by 2030.
This work has informed the update to the Climate Action Plan 2023 – Transport chapter and its associated Annex of Actions, which is the first statutory Climate Action Plan since the establishment of the sectoral emissions ceilings and is required to demonstrate a pathway to achieving 50% transport emissions abatement by 2030.
The Department’s update to the transport decarbonisation pathway has also been informed by the OECD’s Redesigning Irish Transport report (published October 2022), undertaken at the request of the Climate Change Advisory Council. In recognition of the OECD report’s findings that the Irish transport system embeds car-dependency and increased emissions by design, the AVOID-SHIFT-IMPROVE framework for transport sustainability has been applied to categorise all actions, emphasising the crucial role that spatial and land-use planning hold in designing transport systems that can support our net-zero ambition.
Research is undertaken under the Climate Action Plan hierarchy of AVOID-SHIFT-IMPROVE and to support climate change adaptation and plays a key role in identifying and addressing gaps in data, and in modelling the impacts of emissions and carbon reduction measures across the interconnected transport, economic and social systems.
Sectoral Adaptation
As well as work programmes to support climate change mitigation, the Climate Action Plan sets out integrated actions to progress and support crucial climate change adaptation actions. Through implementation of the statutory Transport Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation Plan (T-SAP), which was published in 2019, the Department has progressed actions to increase Transport infrastructure resilience to climate change impacts across the three priority implementation objectives to:
Improve understanding of the impacts of climate change on transport infrastructure, including cross-sectoral cascading impacts, and close knowledge gaps through research and cross-sectoral collaboration;
Assist transport stakeholders in identifying and prioritising climate risks to existing and planned infrastructural assets and enabling them to implement adaptation measures accordingly;
Ensure that resilience to weather extremes and longer-term adaptation needs are considered in investment programmes for planned future transport infrastructure.
Preplanning and early-stage development for revision of the Transport Sectoral Adaptation Plan under the revised National Adaptation Framework has commenced in 2023 in line with the indicative CAP23 timeline of Q2 2025 for publication of a revised Plan. Implemented Plan revision development steps include stakeholder mapping, establishing a baseline ‘state of play’ for adaptation readiness under a pilot monitoring, reporting and evaluation framework, and holding a first meeting of key stakeholders who will be directly involved in steering and developing the revised plan.
Sustainable Mobility Policy
The new National Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP) was published in April 2022 and aims to deliver at least 500,000 additional daily active travel and public transport journeys and a 10% reduction in kilometres driven by fossil-fuelled cars by 2030, in line with previous CAP21 commitments. These metrics have been superseded by updated targets in CAP23.
A Year One Progress Report detailing the status of SMP actions up to April 2023 was published in August of this year and may be found on Gov.ie. My Department also convened the National Sustainable Mobility Forum in Athlone, Co. Westmeath in April 2023.
My Department is developing a National Demand Management Strategy that will support the National Sustainable Mobility Policy, which will be aligned with the revised CAP23 targets.
To oversee delivery of the Sustainable Mobility Policy, officials in my Department established a Leadership Group. Under this Group, a Delivery Team identified 35 exemplar ‘pathfinder’ projects and initiatives to be delivered by 2025 that will champion sustainable mobility projects across the county.
A broad variety of projects were selected ranging from national game-changing proposals like making College Green in Dublin car-free or locating a brand-new integrated public and active travel hub, with a new bridge across the Suir River in Waterford City, to smaller, creative and equally effective projects like a Bus-it-2-school project in Co. Meath or a pilot programme in Co. Leitrim to integrate local link with a hackney and community e-bike scheme.
Two Pathfinder projects were completed in 2023: the Athlone Bus Electrification project and Smarter Travel Mark. Two further Pathfinder projects – the Longford Town Core Cycle Network and the Cork to Waterford Inter-Urban Demonstrator – have also had sections completed in 2023. In the case of Longford, the N63 Majors Well Road project has been completed and two further sections remain on track to be delivered by the end of 2024. Two sections of the Cork to Waterford Inter-Urban Demonstrator Pathfinder, namely Bilberry to Waterford City and Dunkettle to Carrigtohill, were completed in June 2023, with further sections due for completion in 2024 and 2025. This pathfinder is helping to create a seamless cycling link between Cork and Waterford.
Renewable Transport Fuel
Under our IMPROVE programme, the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy sets out the pathway to the achievement of Climate Action Plan targets and European obligations, as well as ensuring European sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction criteria are adhered to concerning renewable transport fuel.
This is implemented through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), provided for under Part 5A of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 (as amended), which places an obligation on fuel suppliers to ensure that road transport fuel contains a proportion of renewable transport fuel.
I published the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement 2021-2023 in November 2021. The 2021 policy established the rates of the Renewable transport Fuel Obligation for 2022 at 13% (by volume) and 16% for the 2023 obligation period and contained policy actions for the ongoing implementation of the RTFO in the period. This has been supported through the enactment of enabling legislation and regulations, including RTFO rates, the award of RTFO certificates to incentivise the supply of certain renewable fuels, and the implementation of E10 petrol as standard. My Department ran an E10 petrol public information and awareness campaign through advertising since the regulations were enacted and the gov.ie/E10 website remains the main point of reference for further information.
The Renewable Transport Fuel Policy is reviewed every two years. My Department published the updated Renewable Transport Fuel Policy Statement 2023-2025 on 28 June 2023 achieving CAP23 action TR 23/63, following stakeholder engagement and consultation. The policy statement sets out specific policy actions over the next two years and includes an indicative trajectory out to 2030 for the increase in the rates of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation rate, Advanced Biofuel rate and rate of reduction for high-ILUC risk fuels. The policy continues to provide a framework for ongoing consultation, analysis and review towards meeting targets set out in the Climate Action Plan 2023 and European obligations for renewable energy supply for use in transport.
My Department has established working groups to support the implementation of renewable transport fuel policy actions on biofuel sustainability, meeting European targets for renewable transport energy share and to support the development of legislation. Supporting each of these working groups is the establishment of an expert panel to provide industry knowledge and insight with the first meeting held on 1 December.
Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation
My Department is responsible for coordination and negotiating favourable outcomes on the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation - part of the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package. This regulation, which was formally adopted and published in September, sets binding national targets across the Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) network for LDV and HDV electric vehicle charging points and alternative fuel refuelling points (e.g. hydrogen, liquefied methane), electric charging for stationary aircraft at airports and on-shore power supply for ships at ports.
My Department has also established an inter Departmental Working Group on Alternative Fuels for transport with the first meeting taking place on 29 September. The Working Group is to coordinate action by stakeholders with policy responsibility for alternative fuels in transport (encompassing zero-emissions energy and fuel, renewable fuel, and low carbon fuel as defined in the EU alternative fuel legislation) and related infrastructure and vehicle technology for alternative fuels in transport use, aligning with relevant national policy for future production of alternative fuels.
Cycling and Walking
The Programme for Government committed to cross-Government spending of around €360 million per annum for active travel measures throughout the lifetime of the Government. The majority of this funding comes from the Department of Transport and will contribute to the development of almost 1,000km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure across the country by 2025.
In 2023, €290 million has been made available to local authorities around the country through the National Transport Authority (NTA) to progress the delivery of approximately 1,200 walking and cycling projects across Ireland. This funding constitutes a significant increase on investment levels even a few years ago, with funding of €45 million invested in Active Travel in 2019. Actual spend on Active Travel infrastructure exceeded its 2022 allocation with an investment of €310 million made around the country, and investment in 2023 is likely to be even higher, with a forecasted spend of €340 million utilising funds from underspends elsewhere in the Department.
In tandem with their National Roads and Greenways projects, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) have also begun investing in Active Travel projects in areas outside the remit of the NTA. €12 million was allocated to TII in 2023 for such projects which link urban centres to major road projects. These projects, most of which are at early stages of development, include the Dunkettle Waterfront Cycleway in Cork, Active Travel linkages in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, and cycle path projects along the N2 in Monaghan. Active travel infrastructure is also incorporated, where possible, into major National Roads projects progressed by TII as part of their overall capital roads programme.
Greenways
In addition to the significant investment in Active Travel, €63 million is being invested in our Greenway network this year through TII, an increase of over €40 million based on 2019 funding levels. The number of Greenways in development in Ireland has increased from 13 in 2019, to over 70 projects currently underway.
National Cycle Network & CycleConnects
TII launched a public consultation on the development of a new National Cycle Network which was completed in Q2 2022. The plan comprises of a 3,500km network that will criss-cross the country, connecting more than 200 villages, towns and cities. The network will include cycling links to transport hubs, education centres, employment centres, leisure and tourist destinations, and support “last mile” bicycle deliveries. The National Cycle Network plan is due for publication shortly.
In tandem with the National Cycle Network, the NTA are developing CycleConnects which will outline planned cycling infrastructure investment within urban areas around the country. Proposals for intra-urban cycling links in key cities, towns and villages in each of the 22 counties outside the Greater Dublin Area are included in the plan. CycleConnects builds on the cycling plans already developed for the GDA and, together with the National Cycle Network, will create an overall comprehensive cycle network for Ireland. The draft CycleConnects plan is currently undergoing environmental assessment and is due for publication in early 2024. Active Travel teams are now in place in all 31 local authorities, with the number of dedicated staff for Active Travel projects increasing from 57 in January 2021 to around 240 across the country.
Safe Routes to Schools and other initiatives
The Safe Routes to Schools Initiative was established during 2021, with the first phase of 170 schools selected in June 2021, 167 of which remain actively engaged in the Programme. 108 additional schools were selected for inclusion in Round 2 of the Programme on 12 December 2022 which brought the total number of schools currently in SRTS to 275. As of 30 November 2023, projects at 33 schools have been completed with all remaining schools at various stages of progress through the Programme. In addition, all Active Travel projects progressed by the NTA aim to incorporate linkages to schools where possible, whether they are part of the SRTS programme or not.
My Department funds the delivery of CycleRight training through Cycling Ireland. The 2022 target of 28,000 pupils was exceeded with over 30,000 students receiving training under the CycleRight Programme, and it is expected that around 35,000 students will be trained in 2023, in line with the target in the National Sustainable Mobility Policy of an additional 5,000 students per annum completing the training. 2023 funding also includes an increased subvention for students in DEIS schools, which will number around 9,000 of the totals trained this year.
Thresholds under the Cycle to Work scheme have been increased in recent budgets to allow for the purchase of e-bikes and cargo bikes or e-bikes. The latter was included in the Finance Act following Budget 2023, with an allowance of up to €3,000 available for individuals to put towards the purchase of a cargo bike or cargo e-bikes.
Transport Infrastructure
Transport Planning
A revised Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2022-2042 was published by the NTA in January 2023 following my approval. The strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a twenty-year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA. The Transport Orientated Development (TOD) working group, which was established under the Government’s Housing for All plan and which is jointly led by my Department and the Department of Housing, published its report on TOD opportunities in Dublin in June 2023.
Metrolink
A significant milestone in the progression of the MetroLink project was cleared in July 2022, when Cabinet granted Decision Gate (DG) 1 approval under the Public Spending Code (PSC) to MetroLink. This decision enabled the project to move to planning application stage, and on 30 September, TII submitted a Railway Order application to An Bord Pleanála. The statutory planning consultation for the project closed on 16 January 2023. TII is currently preparing the Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy for MetroLink for consideration at Decision Gate 2 of the PSC. In July 2023, TII appointed a Client Partner, led by Turner & Townsend, to support the efficient and effective delivery of the next phases of the project.
DART Expansion
Government approved the Preliminary Business Case for the overall DART+ Programme in December 2021 allowing progression of DART+ West (at Decision Gate 1) and DART+ Fleet (at Decision Gate 3).
Light Rail
Dublin: The preliminary business case for the Luas Finglas project has been submitted to my Department by the NTA for review and I hope to bring this to Government in the coming months for approval in line with the Public Spending Code. This will enable the project to enter the statutory planning process through the submission of a Railway Order Application to An Bord Pleanála.
Cork: Work on identifying a precise route for Luas Cork is progressing well. In discussions with Cork City Council this summer, it was agreed that some additional work should be undertaken in relation to the city centre section prior to commencing the public consultation stage. TII, in collaboration with the NTA, are now undertaking that additional work, in consultation with Cork City Council. That task is likely to take a couple of months and it is now anticipated that the Emerging Preferred Route for Luas Cork will be published in the new year and a non-statutory public consultation process will then be undertaken.
Galway: The NTA, in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council are currently developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS), which will replace the 2016 Galway Transport Strategy. As part of GMATS, a feasibility study of light rail is being undertaken. This feasibility study has commenced, the baseline assessments have been concluded and Options Assessment is currently underway. The feasibility study will be completed before the end of 2023. It is anticipated that the public consultation on the draft GMATS will commence in early 2024, and the publication of the completed updated strategy will follow after a review and consideration of the public consultation responses.
Roads
At the start of 2023, €491 million in capital exchequer funding was allocated for investment in the national road network. €237 million was allocated for the progression of new national roads projects. This included a number of projects which were completed in 2023, including the N5 Westport to Turlough, the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom, and the Moycullen bypass. In addition, a number of schemes are approaching construction, including the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy and N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge, with other NDP projects at an earlier stage of development continuing to be advanced. €254 million was invested in the protection and renewal of the existing national roads network, which includes measures to improve safety and meet the challenges of climate adaptation.
At the start of 2023, €626 million was allocated for investment in the regional and local road network, with about 90% directed to road maintenance and renewal and the balance for targeted road improvement schemes. Through the National Development Plan €70 million was allocated to road improvement projects including the completed Athy Southern Distributor Road along with current projects in construction such as Shannon Crossing / Killaloe Bypass/ R494 Upgrade and the Tralee Northern Relief Road together with the completion of advance/emergency works and the retender of the main construction contract related to the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road. A range of regional and local road minor/safety improvement schemes and climate adaptation projects have also been implemented under the roads works programme.
Public Transport
Fares
The Young Adult Card was launched on Public Service Obligation (PSO) services on the 9 May 2022 enabling those aged between 19 and 23 to avail of an average 50% discount in their public transport fares. The Scheme was extended to participating commercial bus operators (CBOs) on 4 September 2022. Further, in October 2022, the Scheme was widened to include third level students aged 16 to 18.
As part of the suite of Cost-of-Living measures, in May 2022 Government introduced a 20% average fare reduction on all Public Service Obligation (PSO) public transport services.
As part of the total funding package of €563.55m that was secured for PSO and Local Link services under Budget 2023, funding was provided for the continuation of the Young Adult Card on both PSO and CBO services, and for the continuation of the 20% average fare discount on PSO services. More recently, under Budget 2024, a funding package of c. €613.463m has been secured for PSO and Local Link services. This includes funding for the continuation of the 20% fare reduction on PSO services, the Young Adult Card on both PSO and commercial bus services, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2024. Funding has also been secured to support new and enhanced bus and rail services next year.
On 27 April 2023, the NTA published its National Fares Strategy for commuter and inter-urban journeys on Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus and rail services. Under this Strategy, changes introduced in future fares determinations will reflect a more consistent, equitable approach, and one that is easier to understand for customers. The NTA aims to publish the Fares Determination before shortly.
Connecting Ireland & Rural Mobility
A consultation report regarding the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan was published on 3 May 2022.
Throughout 2022, Phase 1 of the Plan delivered 38 new and enhanced bus services. The revisions were implemented on routes and service serving areas in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Clare, Sligo, Kildare, Offaly, Mayo and Wexford.
Routes identified through the Connecting Ireland consultation process were prioritised to provide emergency public transport services to people fleeing the war in Ukraine and housed in rural or isolated locations to ensure better access to our local communities. This continues to be achieved through an acceleration of network improvements, including additional stops, route modifications, and more services with the aim to increase connectivity.
In February 2023, Phase 2 of Connecting Ireland was launched, with 67 new and enhanced bus services announced for implementation across 2023.
The Rural Transport Programme, now operating under the TFI Local Link brand, provides scheduled and demand responsive public transport services in rural areas nationwide. There has been a substantial increase in funding for TFI Local Link services going from €12 million in 2016 to over €42 million in 2023. The additional funding has enabled the introduction of 100 new Rural Regular Service routes operating at least 5 times per day over a 5,6,7 days per week schedule. They are specifically designed to ensure connectivity with other public transport services and better linkage of services between and within towns and villages.
Buses
Much work has also progressed in relation to BusConnects.
Ongoing work including commencement of preliminary design work for Core Bus Corridors in Cork and enhanced bus signal priority at signalised junctions is included in all plans for the BusConnects Dublin Core Bus Corridors and in the other cities. The procurement process for the Next Generation Ticketing project has commenced.
No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for the PSO bus fleet since 2019. By the end of 2023, it is expected that there will be 454 low or zero-emission buses in the national bus fleet, out of a total fleet of 1,765 buses.
Electric bus purchases for 2024 includes the purchase of circa 70 new double-deck electric buses for Dublin and 101 new double-deck electric buses for outside Dublin, covering Limerick, Galway and Cork.
Decarbonisation of Road Transport
Electric vehicles (EVs) are a prominent mitigation measure in Ireland’s 2021 Climate Action Plan and we have set an ambitious target of nearly one million EVs on our roads by 2030. As of November 2023, there are just over 109,000 on our roads.
In addition, while a national ambition has been firmly established that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland will be zero-emission capable, EU Member States are unable to move unilaterally on the introduction of a fossil-fuelled car ban by 2030. Ireland is already a signatory to a non-paper to the European Commission requesting a phase-out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the EU in line with the objective of climate neutrality by 2050 as well as the introduction of a legal framework that allows Member States to move ahead by taking action at national level to incentivise early phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans.
In January this year, the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure was launched, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.
The National Strategy is being expanded upon to create bespoke EV infrastructure plans which will set out the process for delivery and rollout of a variety of charging infrastructure models.
In 2023 two funding schemes were launched to support the roll out of EV Charging Infrastructure:
The Shared Island Sports Club scheme. with €15M funding, opened to applications across the island. Over 600 clubs applied to ZEVI via Pobal to have an EV charger installed in their grounds. Just under 300 are currently being evaluated for selection. The evaluation phase is due to conclude in Q1 2024.
A €15 million scheme under the EU Just Transition fund was launched by ZEVI in August. The Scheme aims to create a network of publicly accessible community focused fast charging points across the midlands.
These actions, as well as a suite of related programmes across both ZEVI and its stakeholders and partners, will ensure that the rollout of EV charging is not only compliant with our national and EU obligations, but also provides charging infrastructure which meets the needs of users regardless of their vehicle type, their geographic location or their specific demand for charging.
A range of grants and incentives continue to be available to drivers making the switch to an EV, both privately and commercially. New incentives established since 2020 include:
The Alternatively-Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicle (AFHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme – launched in 2021 to promote the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty sector, and to assist road transport companies to transition from fossil fuels. The Scheme supports the purchase of new large vans, trucks, buses and coaches. Since the AFHDV Scheme was launched in 2021, we have paid out a total of €2.8M on 22 applications grant aiding 36 heavy duty vehicles. In 2024, the scheme will be replaced with the Zero Emissions Heavy Duty Vehicle Purchase grant scheme.
The EV Commercial Fleet Trial - launched 21 July 2022 to afford businesses the opportunity to test an EV free of charge for a minimum period of 3 months. Its purpose is to show, through real world evidence, the benefits, savings and the suitability and viability of EVs in a commercial setting. A report on the trial scheme is expected in 2024.
The apartment charger grant - assists residents and owners of apartments and other multi-unit developments who want to install a home charger for their Electric Vehicle (EV). 49 grant applications have been received with 28 grant offers issued.
It is anticipated that all necessary e-scooter regulations will be in place in Q1 2024 – Commencement Order, Technical and Usage, Detention of E-scooters (powers for AGS), Use of Powered Personal Transporters (only permitting e-scooters and no other form of PPT), Traffic & Parking, Signs and Fixed Charge Notice regulations.
Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
In 2022, Ireland became a signatory to the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero Emission Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, which targets a new sales share of 30 percent for zero emission trucks and buses that are 3.5 tonnes or over by 2030.
204. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 9 November 2023, if he will ensure that submissions by local authorities to his Department (details supplied) will be approved at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56136/23]
View answerFollowing on from a risk-based analysis of the East-West route between Dundalk and Cavan, the Department of Transport allocated grant funding to both Cavan and Louth County Councils for the initial assessment of two possible road schemes. These road interventions seek to improve safety and journey times, as well as bringing consistency to travel speed, across sections of the East-West route.
Falling out of the initial assessment process, submissions to advance the two projects have been received by the Department. These submissions are in accordance with the Public Spending Code requirements and are currently being assessed by Department officials. Progression of submissions is dependent on the findings of this review, work programme priorities and the availability of funding.
As the Deputy is aware, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant 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 and are supplemented by State road grants, as such, each Council can set their own work programmes with regard to their priorities and available resources.
205. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if more average speed zones will be rolled out nationwide; the learnings from existing zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56177/23]
View answerSpeed limits are set through a combination of default speed limits and ‘special' speed limits. The Road Traffic Act of 2004, as amended, sets out the current legislative basis for the setting of speed limits. The Act applies ‘default’ speed limits to different classes or categories of road and allows for local authorities to intervene and set ‘special speed limits’, within limitations, on roads in their area. The making of bye-laws to set 'special' speed limits is a reserved function of the elected members of a local authority.
The setting of special speed limits are guided by the ‘Guidelines for Managing Speed Limits in Ireland’. The Guidelines provide advice to local authorities in the setting of speed limits having regard to matters such as road safety and road conditions. Exceptions to the defaults are permitted in the guidelines to aid and empower local decision making and ensure that a given speed limit is aligned with the prevailing conditions of specific sections of the road network.
As part of Action 6 of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy, a review was undertaken to examine the framework for setting of speed limits in Ireland including specific consideration of the introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in urban areas. This review is complete and was published in September. Actions are now underway to legislate for updated default speed limits as recommended by the Review and to revise the Guidelines. Collectively, this will assist local authorities to carry out their own speed limit reviews and pass bye-laws for 'special' speed limits, where appropriate.
An Garda Siochana are responsible for the enforcement of speed limits and do so through the use of cameras, such as GoSafe fixed cameras and variable speed limits cameras, as well as average speed cameras. It is recognised that the use of these technologies brings improvements in relation to adherence of speed limits and road safety. Advancing the wider use of these technologies, as well as other road safety technologies, is a priority and is recognised in both the Road Safety Strategy and the Speed Limit Review , with a number of related actions contained in each.
206. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the annual budget for LocalLink for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56179/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which 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 management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
My Department provides aggregate funding for TFI Local Link services to the NTA. Since 2018, the total annual allocation for Local Link services has included funding for Rural Regular Services from the Public Service Obligation (PSO) budget provision. Total allocations (including the aforementioned PSO allocation) for the years 2019 - 2023 are as follows:
2019 - €21.0m
2020 - €23.4m
2021 - €28.2m
2022 - €30.24m
2023 - €44.5m
207. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding catering on trains from Kerry to Cork/Dublin; what levels of service currently exist; what is envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56180/23]
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 these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the level of catering services available on trains from Kerry to Cork and Kerry to Dublin is an operational matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
208. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the number of local area hackney licences issued per county to date in 2023; the total number of live licences per county; the total number of licences previously issued per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56181/23]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the compiling of statistics on SPSV licences, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Accordingly, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
209. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he is concerned with personal safety issues for public transport users; if he has liaised with An Garda Síochána in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56182/23]
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.
Safety and security on public transport are matters that, first and foremost, must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, where appropriate. To that end, I am regularly briefed on joint operations between transport operators and An Garda Síochána which continue to have a positive impact across the country.
Nonetheless, both my Department and the National Transport Authority engage regularly with operators on the issue, and the NTA has established a Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour which meets monthly with the operators to discuss developing trends and share best practice.
Further, each of the operators have their own safety and security policies in place, to deal with issues such as antisocial behaviour, and have introduced a number of initiatives in recent years to help combat the issue, including:
• Increased investment on security - for example, a substantial increase in spending on rail security in the past five years, from €3.7m in 2016 to €6.0m in 2022;
• CCTV - the entire Dublin Bus fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras, with up to 11 internal cameras and three external cameras fitted on the more modern vehicles in the fleet;
• Radios on each Dublin Bus vehicle which facilitate immediate contact to a Central Control Centre;
• Text alert systems, and;
• Joint initiatives with An Garda Síochana, such as ‘Operation Twin-Track’.
• Additionally, as part of my Department’s Sustainable Mobility Plan, the NTA has committed to develop and publish an annual ‘Public Transport Passenger Safety and Personal Security Report’ and implement measures where appropriate.
• The combined interventions implemented to date have substantially helped tackle anti-social behaviour. However, it will require on-going monitoring. Therefore, I am committed to continuing to work with all stakeholders to ensure the safest possible travel environment for members of the public, and the safest possible working environment for the employees providing our valuable public transport services.
210. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the waiting times for a driving test in Tralee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56183/23]
View answer211. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the waiting times for a driving test in Killarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56184/23]
View answer212. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the waiting time for a driving test in Dublin bay south; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56185/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 to 212, inclusive, together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the information requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the questions to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
On the broader issue of driver testing delays, the service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which has increased by 28% compared with 2021. The Authority is currently providing an average of 4,000 tests per week, up 25% on this time last year.
Anticipating ongoing demand pressures, 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 in March of this year. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to 205, which is more than double the 100 sanctioned testing posts in June 2022.
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.
With the introduction of additional testers, national average wait times have been declining since the end of August and this improvement should accelerate as all new testers enter service. The RSA estimate that the agreed service level of average wait times of 10 weeks will resume in mid-2024.
213. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport the number of new bus shelters provided per county in 2023; how many of these replaced older shelters; how many were completely new; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56186/23]
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.
214. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the number of public servants servicing on State boards since 2006 in an independent capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55910/23]
View answerI am taking ‘independent capacity’ to refer to serving public servants not appointed to a State board in an ex-officio capacity.
The State Boards under the aegis of my Department have advised as follows:
The following members were serving on the Central Bank Commission in an independent capacity as follows:
Blanaid Clarke - 1 October 2010 to 30 September 2018
John Fitzgerald -1 October 2010 to 26 October 2014
Alan Ahearne - 8 March 2011 to 7 March 2020
Patricia Byron - 1 July 2021 to date (term ends 31 December 2023)
John Trethowan -11 September 2018 to 21 August 2021
From 2013-2017, the Credit Union Restructuring Board (ReBo) had one public servant and one observer from the Central Bank as members. ReBo was functionally wound-down in July 2017 and from 2018 to date, the Board consists of two public servants and one observer from the Central Bank.
Since 2006, the only serving public servant to serve on the Council of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO), the FSOB until the end of 2017) and the FSPO since 01 January 2018, is Mr. Don Gallagher. Mr. Gallagher was appointed by the Minister of Finance in January 2017, and at that time, he was Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Health Insurance Authority (“HIA”). Mr. Gallagher was reappointed for a further term by the Minister in January 2022. Until such time as Mr. Gallagher retired from his post as CEO of the HIA, he came under the One Person One Salary (“OPOS”) rule and as such, was not in receipt of a Council fee. Following his retirement from the public sector in December 2020, Mr. Gallagher commenced receiving a Council fee, from 2021.
Members of the Board of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council as follows:
- Dr Martina Lawless from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2020
- Professor John McHale from 30 June 2011 to 29 June 2015
- Dr Donal Donovan from 30 June 2011 to 29 June 2013 2020
- Seamus Coffey from 01 January 2016 to 31 December 2019
- Professor Alan Barrett from 30 June 2011 to 25 May 2015
- Dr Adele Bergin from 01 January 2021 to 31 December 2024
The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) had one public servant serving on its board. A National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) employee, John Mulcahy, assigned to NAMA at Executive level, was appointed to the NAMA Board by the Minister for Finance on 7 March 2012, serving until his resignation from both positions on 17 January 2014. Mr Gallagher did not receive any additional remuneration for his membership of the NAMA Board.
215. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the number of beneficiaries per county of the bike-to-work scheme in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56178/23]
View answerSection 118(5G) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for the Cycle to Work scheme. This scheme, introduced in 2009, offers an exemption from benefit-in-kind (BIK) where an employer purchases a bicycle and/or associated safety equipment for one of their employees (or directors) to use, in whole or in part, to travel to work.
The scheme operates on a self-administration basis. Relief is automatically available provided the employer is satisfied that the conditions of its particular scheme meet the requirements of the legislation. This approach was taken with the deliberate intention of keeping the scheme simple and reducing administration on the part of employers. Accordingly, there are no records available on the number of people availing of the scheme or the cost of the scheme.
As employers are not obliged to notify the Revenue Commissioners of any bicycles or safety equipment which has been provided under the scheme, it is not possible to ascertain how many employees or directors have availed of the scheme in a given year or to calculate the cost of same.
Each year, the Tax Expenditure Report which is prepared by my Department, includes tentative estimates of the full year cost of the scheme and the number of claims. However, it should be noted that there is no information provided in tax returns or otherwise available to Revenue or the Department of Finance which provide data on which to base these estimates.
The following table shows the estimates for the years 2019 to 2022, the most recent year for which estimates are currently available:
|
Year |
Estimated cost (€m) |
Estimated no. of claims |
|
2019 |
4 |
20,000 |
|
2020 |
4.5 |
22,000 |
|
2021 |
5.5 |
25,000 |
|
2022 |
5.5 |
25,000 |
The estimates were most recently revised upward, for 2021, onward as the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No. 2) Act 2020 increased the cost thresholds for bikes under the scheme and increased the frequency of the exemption to once every four years from once every five years.
216. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance to review correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55844/23]
View answerIt would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases, but my Department is reviewing the issues arising, and my officials have been in touch with the party concerned.
217. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Finance whether there is any mechanism to prevent a bank from selling a performing loan to a debt collecting agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55876/23]
View answerThe transfer or sale of a creditor's benefits and rights under a credit agreement is a commercial decision for an individual firm. As Minister for Finance, I have no function or role in such decision-making matters by credit institutions or other mortgage entities.
However, there is a robust consumer protection framework in place in relation to credit agreements. This framework provides the same protections for consumers, regardless of the regulated entity with whom they are dealing, such as a bank, a retail credit firm or a credit servicing firm. These regulated entities must be authorised and supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland, and are subject to the full suite of relevant regulatory requirements and financial services legislation, including the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears and the Consumer Protection Code.
As the independent regulator, the Central Bank has indicated that it expects all regulated firms to take a consumer-focused approach and to act in their customers’ best interests at all times. In this context, any entity which is involved in the business of providing credit to consumers, or who subsequently services or acquires the legal title to the rights of the creditor in respect of a credit agreement entered into by a consumer, falls within the authorisation and regulatory scope of the Central Bank. The Central Bank advises that all entities authorised by it have to comply with all relevant requirements of financial services legislation. In addition, when a creditor's rights under a credit agreement are sold to another entity, the terms and conditions of that particular agreement remain in place.
If a consumer is not satisfied with how a regulated firm is dealing with them in relation to the handling of a mortgage or other debt, or if a customer believes that the regulated firm is not following the requirements of the Central Bank’s codes and regulations or other financial services law, they should make a complaint directly to the regulated firm. If they are still not satisfied with the response from the regulated firm, they can refer the complaint to the statutory Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO). The FSPO can be contacted on 01 567 7000 or at info@fspo.ie.
218. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Airgeadais cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [55995/23]
View answerNíl aon bhuiséad ag mo Roinnse le haghaidh fógraíochta, agus ní raibh aon chaiteachas fógraíochta ag an Roinn in 2023.
