Written Answers Nos. 181-190
181. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the minimum carriageway width that local authorities must maintain for traffic when installing segregated cycle lanes; and whether this has been reviewed in light of the newer, wider buses being added to the Dublin Bus fleet. [3619/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel and public transport. 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.
Any new cycling infrastructure funded by my Department must be designed in compliance with the guidance and standards set out in the Cycle Design Manual, which was updated in 2023. Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
182. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport the reason new checks for check straps on door hinges have been added to the checklist for the NCT; what the rationale is for this, as it does not impinge on the mechanical ability of the car; if he is aware of the additional expense that this is placing on motorists; if there is any analysis of the effect on consumers conducted before such checks are added to an already onerous system; if consumers have any voice in this process or who represents them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3652/24]
View answerVehicle roadworthiness is a cornerstone of road safety policy and plays an important role in reducing road accidents and fatalities on public roads. All EU Member States are required, under European law, to carry out periodic roadworthiness inspections on motor vehicles throughout a vehicle's lifecycle.
The items to be tested and the reasons for failing a test in the National Car (NCT) and Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVRT) Tests are set out in Annex I of Directive 2014/45/EU. These requirements have been transposed into Irish law by the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (SI 415 of 2017) and the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (Vehicle Testing) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (SI 347 of 2013).
The check strap is a safety device on vehicle doors which holds and stops the door at different intervals while being opened, preventing damage to the vehicle. A faulty check strap can allow a door to extend past its opening limit, which may be a danger to the driver and passengers and to other road users such as pedestrians or cyclists.
Section 6.2.3 of Schedule 3 to SI 415 of 2017 sets out test failures in relation to doors and door catches. 6.2.3 (f) provides for a failure where any safety device related to the door or catch is not working or is defective. The Road Safety Authority has confirmed that this reason for failure has been in place since 2009 and has not been amended in the interim.
183. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will direct the RSA to implement a cancellation list in all of its driving testing centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3759/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including scheduling and appointments.
I am informed that in October 2023, to further assist with reducing waiting times, the RSA made a change to the system to allow any unused slots to be made available for anyone to take up at short notice. If a driving test is cancelled at short notice, the RSA now make this appointment available to the general public via MyRoadSafety portal.
184. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on a road project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3762/24]
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 State 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, Cork County Council submitted an initial project appraisal to the Department in 2019 regarding the upgrade of the R624 Cobh Road. The project, as submitted, includes upgrading the existing N25-R624 interchange, the provision of a dual carriageway from the interchange to Marino Point, widening of Slatty Bridge, the provision of a new bridge crossing to Great Island at Belvelly and upgrading the existing R624 from Marino Point to Cobh.
The estimated cost of this scheme was more than €100 million, with possible staged implementation.
In line with Government requirements Cork County Council also produced a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the Great Island Connectivity Scheme and a draft was forwarded to the Department in November 2022.
Since then, both the Public Spending Code and the Department’s Transport Appraisal Framework (TAF) guidance have been updated - the Department continues to liaise with the Council regarding new requirements under the new infrastructure Guidelines and the TAF including the preparation of a Project Outline Document (POD) and business case incorporating the work already undertaken at the SAR stage.
185. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport how many times persons have donated to the Red Cross through the prompt on the Irish Rail website in each of the past 30 months; and the value of total donations per month, in tabular form. [3772/24]
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 issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the number of donations received by the Red Cross from the Irish Rail website 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.
186. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has availed of services and-or consultancy from a list of related companies (details supplied) in the past five years to date; if so, if he will provide a schedule of costs and the purpose for which the company was engaged; and if he continued to use services provided by it. [3791/24]
View answerThe Department of Transport have availed of Grant Thornton Consultancy Services in 2022 and 2023.
2022 cost: €60,255
2023 cost: €40,170
Total: €100,425
The 2022 and 2023 payments to Grant Thornton all relate to the same single purpose. The Department recognises the importance of ensuring that the Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence programme is up to date, fit for purpose and takes appropriate account of new legislative measures affecting the road transport sector. Accordingly, the Department commissioned Grant Thornton to conduct a comprehensive review of the programme in Ireland. The review sought to examine all aspects of the existing programme, benchmark the Irish programme against counterparts in other EU jurisdictions and identify opportunities to enhance the programme. Grant Thornton submitted their final report to the Department in March 2023.
The Department's Internal Audit Unit has also engaged Grant Thornton for the provision of an external review of the effectiveness of the Internal Audit function in the Department of Transport. €14,760 has been in 2024 in respect of work completed to date on the review.
187. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to comment on a health initiative concept for haulage drivers (details supplied) and advise on the best way to progress such a concept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3868/24]
View answerThe provision of exercise equipment or wellbeing services at sites accessible to hauliers, e.g. rest areas, ports and company premises, is likely to require commercial arrangements with private company operators. As such, I would advise anyone looking to implement a specific health-related project to engage directly with the owners of these sites.
For its part, the Government is welcoming of any initiatives that help to improve health and wellbeing and recognises that the current HGV driver shortage is a multifaceted issue with a wide range of different contributing factors, including working conditions for drivers.
The Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group (LSCSG) was established in 2019 to support the promotion of careers, skills development and sustainable employment in the logistics and supply chain sectors in Ireland. The Group includes relevant Government Departments, education and training providers and industry representatives. It is currently chaired by my Department.
As key priorities, the LSCSG seeks to increase the recruitment of HGV drivers and other logistics and supply chain workers and to promote safe and healthy working conditions in the sector. Further information on the work of the LSCSG, including links to its publications, can be found at www.gov.ie/lscsg.
In addition, Ireland’s Road Haulage Strategy 2022–2031, which was published in December 2022, sets out the Government’s strategy for the haulage and road freight sector over the next ten years. Implementation of the Strategy actions is progressing well, including several initiatives aimed at improving working conditions in the sector and the wellbeing of drivers. For example, in line with Action 20 of the Strategy and with Ireland’s EU obligations, the recently published Motorway Service Area Policy, which was developed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), includes commitments to introduce Safe and Secure Parking Areas (SSPAs) for HGV drivers along the core TEN-T Network. These SSPAs will provide high-quality facilities and for HGV drivers to safely rest and recuperate during their shifts, which will help to reduce driver fatigue and to promote overall driver wellbeing.
188. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure an additional bus stop is provided on the old N6 at Temple Spa to allow for additional transport links for residents (details supplied). [3874/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.
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.
189. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has met formally with the CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority to date in 2024. [3883/24]
View answerAs Minister of Transport I have not met formally with the CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority to date in 2024.
190. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to increase the number of carriages from three to five on both the 9.33 a.m. and 1.35 p.m. Dublin Connolly to Rosslare Europort train during 2024. [3884/24]
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 issue raised by the Deputy in relation to increasing carriages on the 9:33am and 1:35pm Connolly to Rosslare services 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.
