Written Answers Nos. 151-160
153. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if Local Link buses have permission to pick up passengers along bus routes to ensure that people do not have to drive to towns in order to access the bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2208/24]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local Link services and the roll-out of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for TFI Local Link services, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
154. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the publication schedule for the 2024 Walking and Cycling Index reports for Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2239/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Following the initial phase of the Walking and Cycling Index carried out in the Dublin Metropolitan Area in 2021, the NTA and Sustrans are working together to roll it out to the four other cities, undertaking the biggest ever survey of walking, wheeling, and cycling in Ireland. Following the surveys which were taking place in 2023, individual Reports will be prepared and will be published for each of the Metropolitan Areas this year.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for the most up to date information on this matter. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
155. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the details of any analysis carried out or commissioned by his Department, or bodies under the aegis of his Department, into the adequacy of rail services on the Athenry to Galway route; his plans to provide more frequent rail services on this route; his plans to put in place additional carriages on trains on this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2268/24]
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 Department of Transport has not carried out analysis into the adequacy of rail services on the Athenry to Galway route.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the potential of additional carriages on the Athenry to Galway is an operational matters for Irish Rail in conjunction with the NTA. 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 a reply within ten working days.
156. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the 350 and 333 both run through Ennistymon, however the 350 goes over the bridge at Blake's corner which is a very tight gap and results in traffic bottlenecking there. If both routes could follow the 350 course through the village it would solve this issue [2277/24]
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 light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's request in relation to a change of route for the 333 bus servicing Ennistymon, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
157. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if he will amend the course of a PSO route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2278/24]
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 light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's request in relation to adding an additional stop on route 336 for Ennis town, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
158. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the total funding provided in 2023 for the non-national road network; the specific allocations made to Cavan County Council and Monaghan County Council; if he will ensure that increased funding will be provided for this road network in 2024 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2285/24]
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 those 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 each local authority.
In February 2023, I announced an Exchequer investment of €626 million in our regional and local roads across the State which included an increase in funding of €20 million for road pavement rehabilitation works.
At the start of 2023 Monaghan County Council were allocated €16,222,270 and Cavan County Council were allocated €17,510,350 for the maintenance and improvement of their regional and local roads network.
In recognition of the fact that cost inflation was having a significant impact on the cost of delivering regional and local road annual programmes, local authorities were notified in July 2023 of a supplementary allocation of €22.5 million for their key road strengthening programmes. Monaghan County Council were allocated €579,991 and Cavan County Council were allocated €687,572 under this supplementary allocation.
As regards 2024, regional and local road grant allocations will be finalised shortly and will take into account the expenditure outturn on projects and programmes in the preceding year. Within the budget available, the objective is to allocate funding to eligible local authorities on as equitable a basis as possible taking the length of the road network into account. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network.
159. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be allocated in 2024 for the progression of a bridge replacement project in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2293/24]
View answerIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
Any new road projects that seek funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the 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.
In this regard, it is my understanding is that Kerry County Council are currently examining options for Listry Bridge, considering the needs and objectives, and deciding how best to progress to ensure value for money.
All applications received from local authorities for Specific Grant allocations are currently being assessed taking into account competing projects and the available budget. Specific Grant allocations for 2024 will be notified to local authorities as part of the general grant allocation process which will be issued in the coming weeks.
160. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be allocated in 2024 for the progression of the N86 road improvement project in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2294/24]
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.
In 2023, €300,000 was allocated for the N86 Tralee to An Daingean scheme. Allocations for national roads in 2024 are expected to be announced in the near future.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the latest status of this project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
