Patrick Costello
Question:41. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport to address the gaps in bus service emerging in the Chapelizod area of Dublin. [4429/24]
View answerBus Services
Questions (41)
Written 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 NTA also has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the BusConnects Dublin programme.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Departmental Funding
Questions (42)
Alan Dillon
Question:42. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide match funding alongside the Department of Rural and Community Development for the local improvement scheme, LIS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4492/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Government Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS), allowing funding to be provided to local authorities for the construction and improvement of non-public roads which meet certain criteria. It is important to highlight that the maintenance of non-public roads is the responsibility of the relevant landowners; local authorities only have statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of public roads (in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993). Works on these public roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road Grants.
My department has not provided dedicated funding towards the LIS programme since 2012. Between 2013 to 2017, local authorities were permitted discretion to use a proportion of their Discretionary Road Grant for the LIS programme if they chose to do so. In September 2017, the Minister for Rural and Community Development reintroduced a dedicated funding stream for the LIS. Considering the significant funding support being provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the need to direct limited resources into maintaining and renewing public roads, it was decided that Discretionary Grants would no longer support LIS programmes. This remains the position. Maintenance and improvement of public roads is essential to ensure a safe network with a high level of service and social/economic connectivity.
Public Transport
Questions (43)
Pauline Tully
Question:43. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport if he will make a statement regarding the National Fares Strategy. [4540/24]
View answerWritten answers
On the 27th of April 2023, the National Transport Authority (NTA) published a new National Fares Strategy. The Fares Strategy follows the previous implementation of a simplified fares structure for Dublin, which combines elements of distance and equitability between routes, and proposes an approach for the rest of Ireland aimed at providing better value, greater transparency, and equality in respect of journey distance.
This new approach will apply to fares outside the Dublin metropolitan area for public service obligation, PSO, bus and rail services provided by the NTA under contracts with bus operators and Iarnród Éireann. It will complement the planned roll-out of significant changes to public transport networks in rural and urban areas, such as Bus Connects and Connecting Ireland.
Following the publication of the Strategy, on the 18th of January 2024 the NTA published its Fare Determination. The most significant change is the implementation of an initial phase of the National Fare Strategy on Dublin Commuter bus and rail services. The short distance Leap fare will increase slightly from €1.30 to €1.50, but still continue to represent excellent value for money for hop on/hop off travel on Dublin city bus, rail and Luas services. The new ‘Dublin City Zone’ will now include areas such as Ashbourne and Ratoath providing better value for passengers from these areas with fares to the city centre reducing from €3.40 to €2.40 on Leap. The 90-Minute fare level will be retained at €2.00 in this determination. The vast majority of passengers within the ‘Dublin City Zone’ will therefore experience no increase in fare as a result of this determination.
This Fare Determination represents the first step in delivering the National Fare Strategy, and it is the NTA’s intention to roll this out further across the country in future determinations.
Question No. 44 answered with Question No. 26.
Road Projects
Questions (45)
Maurice Quinlivan
Question:45. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport what progress has been made in the construction of the Coonagh-Knockalisheen road; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4383/24]
View answerWritten answers
It is important to emphasise that the 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.
As such, Limerick City and County Council is the contracting authority for the Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road project. Progress on this road project was interrupted in 2022. Since then, works on the Ballygrennan Bridge, which is over the Galway-Ennis railway line, have substantially be completed and the Council has advised me that new contract documents have been prepared for construction of the remainder of the project.
The tender process is currently underway. Subject to a successful outcome to that procurement process and funding provision, the main construction for the remainder of the roads project could commence this year. This would allow the local community improved access to various transport modes as well as better local access via the Distributor Road project.
Local Authorities
Questions (46)
Martin Browne
Question:46. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if the maintenance of roads on housing estates that have been taken in charge by local authorities are the responsibility of the local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme; his views on whether it is appropriate for local authorities to advise residents to apply for funding to repair those roads under the Community Involvement Scheme which involves contributions from the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53750/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Local Government Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS). Under that scheme, funding can be provided to local authorities for the construction and improvement of non-public roads (that is roads not taken in charge by local authorities) which meet the criteria set out in the Act.
It is important to highlight that the maintenance of non-public roads is the responsibility of the relevant landowners; local authorities only have statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of public roads (in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993). Works on these public roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road Grants.
In 2018, the Department introduced ring-fenced funding for Community Involvement Schemes. The purpose of the Community Involvement Scheme is to facilitate local community participation in the repair of local roads. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme. Under the scheme a local community can contribute in money or in kind, for example by making labour or machinery available.
While community contributions in the range 15% to 30% had been required up to 2021, depending on the mix between works and monies, the contribution rate has now been reduced to a minimum of 10% for monetary contributions and 20% for works contribution. This is more in line with Local Improvement Scheme contribution rates.
The Community Involvement Scheme is purely voluntary and does not take away from the statutory responsibilities of each road authority. It is intended to be an extra option, where suitable, for local authorities and communities to address issues on tertiary roads where needed.
Road Network
Questions (47)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:47. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport how he intends to address regional imbalance in the quality of road infrastructure, particularly in the west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4582/24]
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. 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.
Within the available budget, the Department's grant funding for the maintenance of regional and local roads is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to eligible local authorities. In this context, grants in the main grant categories are allocated 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 that basis.
Furthermore, there is a budget (€70 million in 2023) for road improvement schemes which are funded under either the Specific Grant Programme (for projects under €5million) or the Strategic Grant Programme (for projects over €5million). ?Any road improvement 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.
It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment towards regional and local roads.
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 national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
Bus Services
Questions (48)
Bríd Smith
Question:48. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will heed the call of local residents and act to restore a bus service between the Armagh Road, Cashel Road and Clonard Road areas and Crumlin Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4412/24]
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 NTA'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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Road Projects
Questions (49)
Mattie McGrath
Question:49. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason the proposed N24 upgrade does not include a dual carriageway for the entire route in the interests of safety and forward planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4490/24]
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.
I can confirm that €2,000,00 was allocated for the N24 Waterford to Cahir scheme in 2023. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for these projects will be kept under review for 2024 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII. The allocations for national roads for 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 regarding the status of these projects. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 50 answered with Question No. 35.
Bus Services
Questions (51)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:51. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position on the Connecting Ireland plan for Macroom to Bandon buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4535/24]
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 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 rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for Connecting Ireland services in County Cork, 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.
Bus Services
Questions (52)
Paul McAuliffe
Question:52. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport if a review will be carried out of the BusConnects plans for the new No. 19 route which will result in an hourly service for the Wadelai estate area of Dublin 11 rather than the current 20-minute frequency relied on by residents. [4627/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In both the policy and funding areas there have been significant developments since this Government came into office, with the publication of a Sustainable Mobility Policy and its five-year action plan providing strong policy support to the continued expansion and enhancement of bus services. I am also delighted to say that this strong policy support has been backed up by increased levels of Exchequer funding, which is supporting the roll-out of initiatives such as BusConnects Dublin.
BusConnects Dublin is a transformative programme of investment in the existing bus system, providing better bus services to more people. It is the biggest ever investment in our bus system in the history of the State and will enable a much improved public transport service.
Following three rounds of public consultation which began in 2017, the National Transport Authority (NTA) published the new Dublin Area bus network in September 2020. This new bus network plan is the final version resulting from previous redesign proposals and with consideration given to issues raised by over 72,000 submissions.
The benefits of the Network Redesign include an overall increase in bus services of 23%, increased peak hour capacity, increased evening and weekend services, 24 hour operations on some routes, a 16% increase in the number of residents located within 400m of a frequent bus service to the city centre, new connections to schools, hospitals and other essential services and increased access to jobs and education.
The NTA has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects Dublin. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, and the specific query relating to the No. 19 route, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
Park-and-Ride Facilities
Questions (53)
Catherine Connolly
Question:53. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 30 November 2023, the status of the roll-out of park and ride in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4380/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority, or NTA, is leading the development and rollout of strategic park and ride sites nationwide through the Park and Ride Development Office.
The NTA established the Park and Ride Development Office in February 2020, which had been included as an action in the Climate Action Plan 2019. The Park and Ride Development Office has developed a Park and Ride Strategy for Galway. That Park and Ride Strategy envisages the development of up to five bus-based strategic Park and Ride sites, three for initial development and two for future development, and the expansion of rail-based Park and Ride at Oranmore station.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA's Park and Ride Development Office 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
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Public Transport
Questions (54)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:54. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the rollout of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan in County Carlow. [4450/24]
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 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 rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for Connecting Ireland services in County Carlow, 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.
Greenways Provision
Questions (55)
Marian Harkin
Question:55. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport to outline Government policy on the Sligo Mayo Greenway; to give an update on progress of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4533/24]
View answerWritten answers
In my capacity as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to national and regional Greenways. Transport Infrastructure Ireland are responsible for progressing the planning, design, and construction of Greenway schemes in conjunction with the relevant local authority. I understand that the Sligo Mayo Greenway refers to two proposed Greenway schemes relating to a proposed route from Claremorris to Charlestown and from Charlestown to Collooney. My Department is supportive of the route from Charlestown to Collooney and allocated funding of €400,000 (via TII) to Sligo County Council to progress the development of this scheme in 2023.
TII have confirmed that they have no involvement at present in the development of a Greenway between Claremorris to Charlestown. In their role as the approving authority with responsibility for the national and regional greenway programme, TII provides allocations to Local Authorities on an annual basis. TII works with the Local Authorities through their Regional Management Structure. This includes consideration of new Greenways subject to capacity and funding constraints.
Rail Network
Questions (56, 68)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:56. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the capital funding he intends to provide this year for the upgrade of the rail line from Athenry in County Galway to Collooney in County Sligo so that work can continue on the reopening of this vital rail link; the purposes for which the funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4539/24]
View answerÉamon Ó Cuív
Question:68. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to follow up on work carried out by Iarnród Éireann on line clearance on sections of the rail line from Collooney to Athenry by providing funding in 2024 for the design work on the upgrade of the line from Athenry to Claremorris to a suitable standard to reopen it for freight and passenger travel; if he supports the statement by Iarnród Éireann (details supplied); the discussions he has in relation to TII reinstating the railway bridge in Ballyglunin, County Galway as it has committed to doing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4538/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 68 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway network infrastructure, including maintenance works on closed and disused lines, such as the Western Rail Corridor.
A total of €250,000 has been allocated for vegetation removal along the Athenry to Collooney section of the Western Rail Corridor. This would be typical of vegetation management on disused lines as part of a care and maintenance regime and to assert possession of the route to prevent encroachment.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has advised there is full engagement with Iarnród Éireann in relation to bridges/crossings between national roads and the Rail network. Crossing of such lines and the works involved are ultimately subject to bridge agreements between the parties.
The All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades, to 2050, in line with net zero targets in both jurisdictions. The Review is considering the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that scope includes the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.
Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage and a draft report was published for a Strategic Environmental Assessment public consultation in July. The Review recommends that reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris via Tuam be commenced by 2030. This is a significant project with the Review estimating it could cost between €400 million and €600 million, in 2021 prices.
The public consultation phase of the SEA process concluded on 29th September and submissions are now under review by officials from both jurisdictions. Following this process, it is expected that a final report will be submitted for Ministerial approval and ultimately the approval of the Government, as well as to the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland if in place.
In light of the above processes, it would be premature to commit to the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor before the Review is finalised and approved by Government.
Climate Action Plan
Questions (57)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:57. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the Climate Action Plan for 2023 in respect of the transport sector; what actions are still outstanding from 2023; the timeline for delivery of these delayed actions; how he thinks delayed actions will impact on rising emissions in the sector; his plans to address rising emissions in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4449/24]
View answerWritten answers
Progress Reports on the delivery of commitments outlined in our Climate Action Plan 2023 are prepared by the Department of the Taoiseach and published on a quarterly basis. Under this reporting mechanism, attention is drawn to a selection of ‘high impact’ measures from the CAP23 Annex of Actions with more significant emissions reduction and/or abatement potential. In 2023, my Department reported on 26 such actions for the transport sector, and provided final updates on the delivery status of these actions for review in early January.
Pending final confirmation from the Department of the Taoiseach, it is anticipated that the delivery rate of CAP23 commitments for transport will stand at approximately 61.5%, with 16 of these 26 high-impact actions completed. My Department is engaging with officials in the Department of the Taoiseach on which of the remaining 10 outstanding actions are proposed to be carried forward in the Annex of Actions that accompanies the draft Climate Action Plan 2024, which was published in December 2023, or otherwise recorded.
I am satisfied that the majority of these outstanding actions are subject to short-term delays owing to planning, legislative and consultation processes among other issues and they will not impact on our emissions reduction targets in the medium-term. Further detail on each of these delayed actions will be provided in the forthcoming Progress Report to be issued by the Department of the Taoiseach.
Table 1: CAP23 Transport Actions which are delayed
|
No. |
Action |
Output |
|
TR/23/16 |
Legislative Programme – expansion of NTA remit to regional cities |
Published General Scheme of Bill |
|
TR/23/17 |
Metropolitan Area Transport Strategies (MATS)– update of Galway Transport Strategy |
Draft GMATS presented for public consultation |
|
TR/23/19 |
National Demand Management Strategy |
Publication of National Demand Management Strategy |
|
TR/23/27 |
Pedestrian enhancement plans developed for the five metropolitan areas |
Completed plans for the five cities |
|
TR/23/37 |
Advance DART+ Programme |
Railway Orders submitted for DART+ SW and Coastal North routes |
|
TR/23/39 |
Advance PSO electric bus fleet procurement, including depot charging upgrades |
Ongoing programme of PSO bus fleet replacement and depot charging upgrades |
|
TR/23/46 |
Accelerate implementation of Safe Routes to School Programme |
Completion of baseline surveys and scheme design for Phase 2 schools, and continued infrastructure rollout |
|
TR/23/51 |
Enact legislation and regulations to permit safe use of personal powered transporters on public roads |
Published regulations |
|
TR/23/56 |
Advance LA Residential Charging Scheme and Shared Charging App Pilot |
Launch of pilot; Publication of specific guidelines for the development of EV charging in residential areas; and rollout of LA Residential Charging Infrastructure |
|
TR/23/61 |
Publish draft National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure |
Submission of draft National Policy Framework to EU Commission – subject to final EU agreement on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation. |
The draft Climate Action Plan 2024, which was published in December 2023, provides further information on commitments and the significant key achievements that were delivered in 2023 and our plans for the sector’s decarbonisation, which is set out in line with the AVOID-SHIFT-IMPROVE framework for greater transport sustainability.
Some examples of key achievements have included measures such as the ongoing expansion of rural mobility services under the NTA’s Connecting Ireland programme, completion of the first projects under our Sustainable Mobility Policy Pathfinder Programme, publication of our National Cycle Network Strategy, the publication of our National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy and National En-Route EV Charging plan, update of our Renewable Transport Fuel Policy, the launch of the ‘Your Journey Counts’ national advertising campaign, the completion of new and revised Metropolitan Area Transport Strategies for the Waterford, Limerick-Shannon and Greater Dublin Areas, alongside the progression of BusConnects, DART+ and Metrolink through major milestones in our consultative and planning systems.
Irish drivers are also accelerating the switch to electric vehicles, with over 107,000 EVs on our roads at the end of 2023, and ahead of our profiled trajectory to meeting our 2025 targets. The take-up of EVs will be bolstered by significant expansions in our public charging infrastructure in coming years. We have also seen record growth in public transport patronage in 2023, representing a 24% increase on 2023 and surpassing pre-Covid passenger numbers.
Nonetheless, I acknowledge that we face a particular challenge in the transport sector in the face of the growth in transport emissions that is associated with the rapid return to economic growth following the Covid19 pandemic, coupled with full employment and continued population growth in Ireland. Though the overall emissions trend since 2018 is downward and 2022 emissions were 4.5% lower than 2018 levels, we face an urgent need to reverse this trend to avoid jeopardizing the sector’s capacity to achieve its abatement pathway in future years.
Decoupling the direct correlation between transport emissions and wider social and economic activity thus forms the fundamental challenge for the sector. For this reason, our focus is on pursuing measures to address travel demand - in the first instance by pursuing policy measures that promote greater efficiency in our transport system, allied with significant investment in sustainable alternatives and incentives and regulatory measures to promote the accelerated take-up of low carbon technologies. I will be bringing a draft Demand Management Strategy to Government in the coming months, which will set out a range of policy measures aimed at reducing congestion in our towns and cities, and reducing transport emissions more broadly.
In addition to setting out proposed actions to be progressed in 2024 across our key delivery programmes, the transport chapter of Climate Action Plan 2024 sets out the scale of the challenge involved and articulates and brings clear focus to the key internal and external risks to delivery that must be addressed, identifying inflation and the need for sustained and significant Exchequer funding, improvements in our planning and consenting processes, securing public and political acceptance, alongside market capacity and technical capacity and supply chain risks associated with the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure and alternative fuel supply as examples.
Addressing these risks and challenges requires a range of whole-of-Government responses, including a clear prioritisation of the demands being made on the system against their potential to contribute to the abatement targets set, along with a cross-Government partnership approach, involving relevant Departments, Local Authorities, industry, academia, and wider society. Through the various Task Forces and other stakeholder engagement structures my Department has put in place, there is a strong focus on collaborative action to address these risks.
In this vein, we will review any recommendations that may be raised under the forthcoming public consultation process on the draft Climate Action Plan 2024, which will be undertaken over the coming weeks as part of the Strategic Environment Assessment and Appropriate Assessments of the Climate Action Plan.
Ports Policy
Questions (58)
David Stanton
Question:58. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if the OWDT has been issued with the Minimum Irish Port Capacity Report; if so, to outline the main findings of the report and actions arising as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3350/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am committed to facilitating the Commercial Irish State ports under my remit as positive contributors to the offshore renewable energy industry to support Ireland to meet its ambitious targets of 5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030, with a further 2GW in development for the production of green hydrogen and other non-grid uses. Supporting the development of port infrastructure is a core objective of the National Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce and my Department is working very closely with the Taskforce in this regard.
One of my Department’s actions under Workstream 6 of the National Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce was to assess the minimum ports capacity required for offshore renewable energy projects in Irish ports. To fulfil this key action officials in my Department engaged the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) to prepare the “Minimum capacity required for offshore renewable energy projects in Irish ports” report.
This report provides an assessment of the capacity and infrastructure required in Irish ports to meet the government’s target of 7GW of offshore renewable energy (ORE) by 2030 and the longer-term ambition to deliver 30GW over a 20-year timeframe between 2030 and 2050. The findings of this report will be a key input to determining at a strategic level whether port plans satisfy the requirements of the Government’s ORE Policy objectives.
The report notes that progress toward developing offshore renewable energy projects will be impeded unless significant development takes place in at least three ports on the island of Ireland, with dedicated ORE port capacity becoming available for turbine deployment by mid-2026, at the latest. The report further notes that Irish ports significantly reduce the cost deployment of ORE infrastructure, due to their geographical proximity to installation sites. Finally, the report recommends that given the potential development opportunity, every effort should be made in bringing ports and the ORE industry together so that national climate change ambitions and renewable energy targets can be achieved.
I can confirm that the finalised IMDO report on the minimum port capacity required for offshore renewable energy projects in Irish ports has been circulated to the members of the National Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce.
Regional Airports
Questions (59)
Cathal Crowe
Question:59. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to complete his Departmental review of the Regional Airports Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4245/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025 provides that a mid-term review be undertaken in 2023. My Department carried out a public consultation process last year to inform the review and officials have submitted their assessment to me which I am now considering.
The review has considered the scope of the Programme, how it is currently delivering on its objectives, primarily in the context of how international connectivity and services to and from the regions can be maintained and enhanced, whilst also exploring how balanced regional development is being supported. I will be engaging with colleagues across Government in reaching a conclusion on the review.
Bus Services
Questions (60)
Mark Ward
Question:60. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on the curtailment of the No. 13 bus service in the Bawnogue area in the evenings; what measures are in place for replacement services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4600/24]
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 decisions in relation to these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the number 13 service is a matter for the NTA and Dublin Bus. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.