Paul Donnelly
Question:236. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of parking spaces in each public car-park area within Dublin Airport, in tabular form. [1141/24]
View answerParking Provision
Questions (236)
Written answers
As the deputy will be aware, daa has the statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport including car parking at the airport.
Accordingly, as the issue raised by the deputy is an operational one, I have forwarded your request to daa for a direct response. If a response is not received within 10 days, please contact my private office
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Rail Network
Questions (237)
Paul Donnelly
Question:237. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the funding being made available in 2024 and 2025 to purchase additional longer carriages for the LUAS for both lines; and if so, when those new carriages are expected to come into service. [1142/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the procurement of light rail carriages.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Dublin Bus
Questions (238)
Mark Ward
Question:238. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the number of times Dublin Bus routes were curtailed; the reasons for same, by individual bus routes and by month for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1177/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The query raised by the Deputy in relation to the number of times Dublin Bus routes were curtailed; the reasons for same, by individual bus routes and by month for 2023 is an operational matter for the company. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to both Dublin Bus and the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Dublin Bus
Questions (239)
Mark Ward
Question:239. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the number of times the 13 Dublin Bus route was curtailed; the reasons for same, by month for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1178/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy in relation to the number of times the 13 Dublin Bus route was curtailed; the reasons for same, by month for 2023; is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Dublin Bus
Questions (240)
Mark Ward
Question:240. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the number of times the G2 Dublin Bus route was curtailed; the reasons for same, by month for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1179/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy in relation to the number of times the G2 Dublin Bus route was curtailed; the reasons for same, by month for 2023; is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to Dublin Bus for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Electric Vehicles
Questions (241)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:241. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport what discussions he has had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to ensuring, over time, that all local authority housing tenants have access to home charging of electric vehicles; if he has proposed that such facilities would be provided in all new local authority accommodation from now on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1189/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Home charging is and will remain the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer. Home charging also assists in the overall management of the national grid by reducing the impact of reliance on higher powered and peak-time charging. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home, however for those unable to do so a growing network of neighbourhood and destination charging will provide a reliable alternative.
The ongoing expansion of neighbourhood charging infrastructure will be led by Local Authorities with the support of other public sector bodies, private sector groups and other key stakeholders such as ESBN. Given their unique understanding and experience of their local communities and environments, local authorities are ideally suited to facilitate charging infrastructure delivery at the community level that is financially sustainable and best ensures equitable access for all.
ZEVI has been engaging with Local Authorities who have agreed in principle to regionalise (subject to funding) to develop their EV infrastructure Strategies and subsequent implementation plans. Additionally, ZEVI is currently engaging with Local Authorities and looking at potential direct multi annual funding options for Local Authorities to install both Destination and Local neighbourhood Charging Projects. It is anticipated that Phase 1 projects will commence roll out in 2024.
As part of their Strategy development, Local Authorities will consider the needs of EV charging of existing and new social housing developments and comply with building regulations and EU (energy Performance of building) regulations 2021. This includes the provision of infrastructure to either immediately or eventually facilitate EV charging at car parking spaces.
The EU (Energy Performance of building) Regulations is currently being reviewed and there is a working group within the department reviewing the proposals being put forward under this directive.
Additionally, in the case of multi-unit dwellings, an expansion of the SEAI-administered Home Charging grant known as the Apartment Charging scheme is in place and seeks to incentivise the provision of home charging solutions for those with off-street residential parking.
Road Safety Authority
Questions (242, 243, 281)
Duncan Smith
Question:242. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the RSA has informed seven driving testers that their temporary contracts will not be renewed next month despite driving test waiting times remaining unacceptably high; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1211/24]
View answerDuncan Smith
Question:243. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will sanction a new permanent contract competition for driver testers for the Road Safety Authority in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1212/24]
View answer
Mattie McGrath
Question:281. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason seven driving testers are being made redundant by the RSA in February and March this year, particularly given the current backlogs; the reason these driving testers have not been given permanent contracts to date despite being employed by the RSA as driving testers for three years; to list the areas where redundancies are being made in 2024 together with the waiting lists in those areas; if he will urgently review this issue to avoid further backlogs particularly when Government policy is to increase the number of tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1511/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 242, 243 and 281 together.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service. As the employer of driver testers, contractual terms are a matter for the RSA I have therefore referred part of the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 day.
Regarding driver testing delays, the service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand. Anticipating ongoing demand pressures and following a request for additional resources last year, my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to 205 in 2023, which is more than double the 100 sanctioned testing posts in June 2022.
The first tranche of new recruits were deployed last September and the national average waiting time for invitation to test has been decreasing since then. By the end of 2023 there was an increase of 41 driver testers allocated across the driver testing service with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.
Sanction remains in place for the Authority to increase the number of testers on temporary contracts to further alleviate current pressures on the service. My Department is working closely with the Authority to monitor demand and capacity requirements of the driver testing service to ensure it meets the agreed service level of average wait times of 10 weeks, which the Authority expects to achieve by mid-2024.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 243 answered with Question No. 242.
Rail Network
Questions (244)
Duncan Smith
Question:244. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the outcome of the 2019 order for 41 rail carriages which was to deliver a 10% increase in capacity in the morning and evenings for commuters on the Northern Line; how this has been achieved to date; the status of the delivery of 95 Dart + carriages; how the delivery of the carriages will increase capacity on the Northern Line; the projected time scale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1235/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the purchase of 41 additional intercity railcars and the DART+ Programme.
The delivery of 41 additional intercity railcars was completed last March. These new railcars will allow for enhanced services across the rail network when introduced into service this year. As part of ongoing work by the NTA and Iarnród Éireann on a network-wide basis, consideration will be given to providing new and additional carriages where demand, available carriages and suitable infrastructure support such provision.
Approval by Government in December 2021 permitted the purchase of 95 DART carriages from Alstom, for entry into service starting later next year. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet under the framework agreement with Alstom, which will see an additional 90 new battery-electric multiple units enter service from around 2026.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
Bus Services
Questions (245)
Cathal Crowe
Question:245. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport for an update on funding allocated to progress a dedicated town bus service for Ennis. [1241/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Funding was secured for the continuation of the 20% average fare reduction on PSO services, the Young Adult Card, the 90-minute far and the continued roll-out of new services (BusConnects, Connecting Ireland, New Town Services, service enhancements).
The NTA transport planning team are currently finalising decisions regarding the best utilisation of these funds, and the timing and prioritisation of the roll-out of services. As such, it is not possible at this stage to give a breakdown of how the funds will be split across all new services.
Bus Services
Questions (246)
Seán Sherlock
Question:246. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of submissions received under the latest round of consultation for BusConnects Cork; and the amount spent in total on all three rounds of consultation, by subject line and the date for the publication of the statutory round of consultation for the sustainable transport corridors, in tabular form. [1252/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects Cork.
The BusConnects Cork Sustainable Transport Corridors - Preferred Route Options Public Consultation Round 3 was undertaken from 6 November to 18 December 2023. All submissions are available to view and download in tabular form to excel on the BusConnects Cork public consultation portal at consult.nationaltransport.ie.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Rail Network
Questions (247)
Seán Sherlock
Question:247. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the date for publication of the route of the proposed Cork Luas; and the amount spent to date on the project. [1253/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including light rail.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
Departmental Funding
Questions (248)
Seán Sherlock
Question:248. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if a capital envelope is available to local authorities for the repair and enhancement of footpaths. [1255/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I am responsible for the overall policy and funding of Active Travel infrastructure. The allocation of this funding to the various local authorities falls to the National Transport Authority (NTA) who are responsible for overseeing the delivery of both new projects and upgrading of existing infrastructure.
Investment in Active Travel infrastructure, including footpaths, has increased significantly in recent years, with around €290 million allocated to the NTA for such projects last year. While the majority of this funding is dedicated to the development and construction of new walking and cycling infrastructure, just under €40 million was earmarked at the start of 2023 for protection and renewal of existing footpaths and cycle lanes and a similar level of funding looks likely to be allocated for this purpose in 2024.
To reiterate, however, it is the responsibility of the NTA to allocate the capital funding for active travel to projects they deem most likely to have a positive impact on modal shift, therefore the local authorities should, and do, work closely with the NTA to identify such projects.
Separately, while my Department provides grant support for road maintenance and renewal programmes under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme it does not have a specific grant programme for the restoration and repair of footpaths; however, local authorities have the option to fund these types of works from certain grant programmes.
Departmental Funding
Questions (249)
Seán Sherlock
Question:249. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will allow applications by local authorities to retrofit active travel funding to older estates for the repair and enhancement of roads and footpaths especially in estates that are commuter estates. [1256/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
As the pipeline of projects seeking funding under the Active Travel (AT) Programme continues to grow, we are now moving into a period of project prioritisation, where funding will be focused on areas where it will have the greatest impact on the primary purpose of AT, which is modal shift away from private cars.
While this may favour projects in urban areas, there is no requirement that funding must be spent in larger towns and cities and viable projects in commuter towns and villages can also be considered by the NTA for inclusion in their Active Travel Programme.
I will bring this matter to the attention of the NTA for their consideration in the allocation of AT funding to projects that encourage modal shift and I would also encourage Local Authorities to engage directly with the NTA in this regard.
Separately, while my Department provides grant support for road maintenance and renewal programmes under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme it does not have a specific grant programme for the restoration and repair of footpaths; however, local authorities have the option to fund these types of works from certain grant programmes.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Cycling Facilities
Questions (250, 251, 252, 253, 254)
Seán Sherlock
Question:250. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of users of the Cork bike scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, by station, in tabular form; and the number of 2024 memberships recorded to date. [1257/24]
View answerSeán Sherlock
Question:251. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of users of the Galway bike scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, by station, in tabular form; and the number of 2024 memberships recorded to date. [1258/24]
View answerSeán Sherlock
Question:252. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of users of the Dublin bike scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, by station, in tabular form; and the number of 2024 memberships recorded to date. [1259/24]
View answerSeán Sherlock
Question:253. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of users of the Waterford bike scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, by station, in tabular form; and the number of 2024 memberships recorded to date. [1260/24]
View answerSeán Sherlock
Question:254. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of users of the Limerick bike scheme in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, by station, in tabular form; and the number of 2024 memberships recorded to date.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1261/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 250, 251, 252, 253 and 254 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure, including the provision of funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for bike-sharing schemes.
However, matters related to the day-to-day operations, usage statistics, and management or expansion of public bike schemes is a matter for relevant local authorities, in conjunction with the NTA.
As such, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
Question No. 251 answered with Question No. 250.
Question No. 252 answered with Question No. 250.
Question No. 253 answered with Question No. 250.
Question No. 254 answered with Question No. 250.
Bus Services
Questions (255)
Seán Sherlock
Question:255. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the status of the roll-out of next gen ticketing in Cork city and county buses. [1262/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.
The NTA is currently seeking to implement new and more flexible ticketing systems through its next-generation ticketing project. The project plans to improve the overall customer experience by enabling customers to use a debit or credit card or smartphone to pay for travel. In addition, the payment methods will be smarter, offering a greater choice of payment options and the ability for the best fare for customers to be automatically charged.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51