Catherine Murphy
Question:191. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the average installation cost of a sheltered bus stop. [3885/24]
View answerBus Services
Questions (191)
Written 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 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Bus Services
Questions (192)
Seán Sherlock
Question:192. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the cost of the PSO funding required to bring forward the Cork Network plan currently timetabled for 2025/2026 to 2024, by bus route on the BusConnects Cork network, in tabular form. [3907/24]
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.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Driver Licences
Questions (193)
Michael Creed
Question:193. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport the efforts being made by his Department or the RSA for additional driving licence exchange arrangements with other jurisdictions; the impact that this could have on driving test waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3909/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has licence exchange agreements with a number of countries and the Road Safety Authority, which oversees these agreements, is engaging with several other countries with a view to progressing further agreements. Such agreements can be made only when the authorities in both jurisdictions have studied and compared the licensing regimes and each side is satisfied that they are compatible.
Due to the shortage of professional drivers in Ireland and across the EU, Ministerial policy is to give priority to consideration of driving licence exchange agreements with suitable countries that are likely to be a source of drivers who would like to work professionally in Ireland.
When a foreign licence is exchanged for an Irish licence, there is no requirement to sit a driving test, so this should not affect test waiting times.
Road Network
Questions (194)
Brendan Smith
Question:194. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will approve a funding application made to his Department in respect of essential improvement works (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3910/24]
View answerWritten answers
In 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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
The Department sought applications in October 2023 for consideration for funding of climate change adaptation and resilience works on regional and local roads to be carried out by local authorities in 2024. The schemes for inclusion in the application are decided by the local authorities.
All applications received from local authorities are currently being assessed taking into account competing projects and the available budget. Grant allocations for 2024 will be notified to local authorities in the coming weeks.
Electric Vehicles
Questions (195)
Patrick Costello
Question:195. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 17 January 2024 (details supplied), if the plan referenced includes keeping regular non-rapid charging points which many batteries on older model EVs are not equipped for. [4048/24]
View answerWritten answers
As mentioned previously, having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles and home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) are working with TII and the Local Authorities to deliver charging infrastructure that will meet all user needs.
I launched The National En-Route EV Charging Network Plan in September 2023. This is the first element of the National EV Charging Network Plan which makes provision for high power, ultra fast, charging intended to enable users to charge their vehicle in less than 30 minutes while they are on longer journeys. This plan will stipulate that, in line with EU regulations, each charge point will at least have a combined charging system CCS ‘Combo 2’ connector. The provision of AC Type 2 connectors or CHAdeMO DC connector will be at the discretion of the charge point operators based on their market knowledge for demand for these other connector types.
The second part of the National EV Charging Network Plan, the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan will be published in Q1 this year and will cover the needs of destination and neighbourhood charging where users will have a longer time to charge their car so this will plan for a mix of High Power and normal speed charging this will cater for many different charging use cases, including users requiring AC Type 2 connectors, providing public charging facilities for those users who do not have the facility to charge at home.
Active Travel
Questions (196)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:196. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the active travel funding drawn down by hospitals and universities in 2023. [4053/24]
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.
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.
Road Network
Questions (197)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:197. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport to outline when and if the Government will sign off on the business plan for the TEN-T project in Donegal as submitted by the Donegal National Roads Office. [4066/24]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Donegal County Council has submitted the Preliminary Business Case for the Donegal TEN-T project to my Department. As is required under the Public Spending Code, the business case must be reviewed by the Department, and undergo an External Assurance process. The procurement of the External Assurance reviewer has taken place and it is expected that this review will commence shortly. The review will examine the project in regard to it's alignment with national policy, affordability, and to ensure that all options have been considered.
Once completed, the Preliminary Business case will be submitted to the Government for approval at Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code. I expect that this to take place in early Quarter 2 of this year.
National Transport Authority
Questions (198)
Paul Murphy
Question:198. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will advise on the process to follow when a person has made a complaint to the National Transport Authority and there has been no resolution offered or action taken to resolve this complaint; if there is an authority the person can report the NTA to for their poor handling of the complaint process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4094/24]
View answerWritten answers
The National Transport Authority (NTA) oversees the provision of public transport services (bus, rail, tram) and taxi services in Ireland. In addition to promoting active travel and car sharing.
The NTA's Customer Charter describes the Authority's commitments to public transport customers (Customer charter - National Transport). While the Authority's Customer Action plan describes how they deliver the commitments and standards that are set out in the Customer Charter (NTA Customer Action Plan). In the event that someone wishes to raise a complaint with the NTA, they can contact the Authority through any of the following means:
• Visit the Support Page here;
• Email: info@transportforireland.ie;
• Phone: 01 879 8300;
• Letter: National Transport Authority, Dún Scéine, Iveagh Court, Harcourt Lane, Dublin 2; and
• Twitter: @TFIupdates
The NTA will acknowledge all customer complaints received, and they aim to issue a full response in a timely manner. The NTA also use independent market research providers to audit and offer suggested improvements to their services. As such, the NTA remain the body best placed to assist with any queries or concerns in relation to public transport services.
In the event that a complaint submitted to the NTA has not been responded to/resolved, the matter can ultimately be escalated to the the Office of the Ombudsman (Make A Complaint | Ombudsman.ie | The Office Of The Ombudsman).
Bus Services
Questions (199)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:199. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport with regard to a bus stop (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4102/24]
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 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Road Safety
Questions (200)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:200. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on actions nos. 67 and 122 from Phase 1 of the Government Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4103/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Ministerial Committee on Road Safety oversees delivery of the Government's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. The senior official group supporting the Committee is the Road Safety Transformation Partnership Board (RSTPB), comprising representatives from the Departments of Transport and Justice and bodies including the Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), National Transport Authority (NTA) and the Courts Service.
For Actions 67 and 122 in Phase 1 of the Road Safety Strategy, the National Transport Authority is the lead agency for both and has prepared reports on both actions. These reports have been presented to the RSTPB. The NTA work has confirmed that the current legislative framework provides a sufficient basis for the further rollout of cameras to assist with the enforcement of offences related to the BusConnects programme.
On foot of this work, TII is now leading the development of a National Camera Based Enforcement Strategy. Preliminary work has commenced and it is expected that the strategy will be concluded by the end of 2024. The purpose of this is to scale-up the operation of camera-enforcement in Ireland, beyond certain constraints in the current system.