Written Answers Nos. 81-100
81. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental, Ministerial public relations; if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5377/24]
View answerDeputy, The below table outlines the Department of Transport spend for public relations in the past ten years and to date:
|
YEAR |
PUBLIC RELATIONS SUPPLIER |
COST |
|
2023 |
The Communications Clinic |
€850 |
This does not include press/advertising on advice from the Deputy.
82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent by his Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [5395/24]
View answerDeputy, Please see the amount spent by The Department of Transport on legal costs and services for the past ten years and to date in 2024.
|
YEAR |
TOTAL |
|
2024 |
145,994.00 |
|
2023 |
354,301.40 |
|
2022 |
508,447.18 |
|
2021 |
1,042,518.46 |
|
2020 |
234,202.46 |
|
2019 |
1,416,534.13 |
|
2018 |
6,935,834.71 |
|
2017 |
694,835.14 |
|
2016 |
3,618.00 |
|
2015 |
302,853.90 |
|
2014 |
1,030,991.96 |
|
2013 |
2,829.00 |
|
TOTAL |
12,672,960.34 |
83. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent by his Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024. [5413/24]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the procurement of office and other accommodation required for Government Departments, including the Department of Transport.
The Deputy was previously provided, in July 2022, with a table outlining the amount spent by the Department of Transport on the procurement of furniture and office equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, included below for reference.
Please now find attached updated figures for 2022 and now included 2023 and to date in 2024.
|
Year |
Furniture |
Office Equipment Cost (IT expenditure) |
|
2022 |
€152,538.95 |
€364,983.92 |
|
2023 |
€127,587.54 |
€266,907.37 |
|
2024* |
€9,873.94 |
€44,968.31 |
|
Year |
Furniture Cost |
Office Equipment Cost (IT expenditure) |
|
2012 |
€6,161.52 |
€53,263.94 |
|
2013 |
€5,674.28 |
€172,440.80 |
|
2014 |
€5,428.14 |
€73,133.34 |
|
2015 |
€37,233.61 |
€101,718.64 |
|
2016 |
€6,675.76 |
€63,300.93 |
|
2017 |
€17,734.55 |
€155,149.98 |
|
2018 |
€35,283.88 |
€194,372.36 |
|
2019 |
€41,198.87 |
€309,555.09 |
|
2020 |
€103,731.76 |
€442,270.83 |
|
2021 |
€138,817.37 |
€245,264.26 |
84. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when funding allocations will be made by his Department for the County Road Programme for 2024; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5469/24]
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. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
The regional and local road grant allocations for 2024 will be issued shortly. The timing of the grant allocations being notified to local authorities this year is in line with previous years.
85. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport the status of the business case for the Waterford Airport runway extension (details supplied) within his Department; if the Department has had sight of same; if so, the reason he has not been included in reviewing it to date, understanding the extremely tight construction timelines pertaining to the project; the expected timeframe he envisages his Department will require to arrive at a recommendation of the project; if he will the give a guaranteed timeline so that the proposal can begin construction this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5489/24]
View answerFirstly, I would like to apologise to the Deputy for an error made during Leaders Questions on 31 January. I incorrectly advised that the detail from Waterford Airport in relation to its runway development proposal had not been submitted to my Department. However, as previously acknowledged to you on 11 January, this detail was received by my Department in soft copy on 13 December. Hard copies were also received by my office on 10 January.
As the Deputy is aware, in June 2019, the Government at that time gave an approval in principle of an expression of support for an expansion proposal at Waterford Airport and to providing Exchequer funding of €5 million towards a runway extension project. Government support was not only contingent on local authority and private investment necessary to complete the project being committed and any risks relating to cost escalation being borne by the non-State investors, but also on full details of the project being provided to my Department for appraisal.
As outlined, this detail remained outstanding from Waterford Airport until 13 December 2023. Furthermore, I understand that the detail provided shows that the project costs have increased substantially above the original estimated cost of €12 million, deviating significantly from the original Government Decision in 2019.
I wish to assure the Deputy that my officials are currently appraising the material received from Waterford Airport in accordance with the requirements under the Public Spending Code/Infrastructure Guidelines. I am not in a position to give a commitment on a timeframe for completion of this assessment. I anticipate extensive engagement between my officials and Waterford Airport over the coming weeks.
I will consider my Department's assessment of this proposal when this engagement is complete.
86. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of 24 March 2021, if registering a vehicle in a false name and address is illegal; his plans to implement this section (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5517/24]
View answerIt is important to distinguish between registration of a vehicle, from subsequent processing activity in its vehicle lifecycle. Initial registration of all new and imported vehicles is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners, so any data quality issues around the name and address details registered for such vehicle owners, and verification of same, is a matter for that office.
My previous response was in relation to subsequent activity, where vehicle owners engage with systems my Department currently manage. In this regard, Section 4 of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 amends existing legislation and enables a unique identifier to be captured where a vehicle’s ownership changes, or when it is being licensed. This will normally be a driver number, but if that is unavailable it may be a PPSN. The requirement for such owner verification details to be supplied will require significant change to how such services are currently provided and will require consultation with a number of stakeholders both within and outside my Department. My Department hopes to begin that engagement this year. Section 4 will be commenced when the necessary preparations have been concluded.
87. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the Irish Rail stations that currently have sheltered covered storage capacity for bicycles; and the capacity of each storage area, by station, in tabular form. [5523/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters.
The issue raised is a matter for Irish Rail and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
88. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport if all new buses coming into the Dublin Bus fleet from 2024 will have an automatic ramp at the exit side doors in addition to the existing automatic ramp at the front of each bus. [5524/24]
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 procurement of the national Public Service Obligation bus fleet.
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.
89. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport if he or his officials have spoken with the Commissioner of the United States Customs and Border Protection; and if so, the dates in 2023 and to-date in 2024. [5525/24]
View answerNeither I or my officials have met with The Commissioner of the United States Customs and Border Protection in the years 2023 or to date in 2024.
90. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of installing noise reflecting ridges in Dublin airport to combat aircraft noise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5545/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, daa has the statutory responsibility for the operation, management and development of Dublin Airport including the provision of noise mitigation measures 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
91. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on progress on the long-awaited driving test centre for Drogheda; what sites have been considered or investigated; the expected timelines for the opening of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5581/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes the locations and operation of driving test centres.
I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
Pending this more detailed response, I am informed that the RSA are continuing to work with the Office of Public Works on finding a suitable test centre site for Drogheda but have been unsuccessful to date.
92. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide in tabular form, the number of people on the waiting list for driving tests in each of counties Meath and Louth; the length of time that they have been waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5582/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the specific information for Meath and Louth is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
93. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the current wait times for driving theory tests and driving tests in each test centre; and the number of people currently booked in for each in each test centre, in tabular form. [5590/24]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the information requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
94. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he would consider eliminating or reducing the €10 charge for taking bicycles on Bus Éireann buses or if the charge could be dropped on off-peak hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5600/24]
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 Sustainable Mobility Policy (SMP) was published in April 2022 alongside an Action Plan containing 91 actions to be delivered during the period from 2022-2025. Following the development of new targets under the Climate Action Plan 2023 these actions are being undertaken as part of achieving targets of a 50% increase in daily active travel journeys, a 130% increase in daily public transport journeys, and a 20% reduction in total vehicle kilometres travelled by 2030.
The Action Plan covers all areas of sustainable mobility including the integration of public transport and active travel, and overall aims to enable more sustainable transport choices in our travel for work, education, and our social lives within our communities.
The Department also funds the installation of bike parking at various locations through the National Transport Authority (NTA). While the majority of these parking spaces are at schools, with 250 schools receiving bike parking in 2023 alone, some parking is installed in other locations including transport hubs, hospitals and third-level campuses, as well as throughout cities, towns and villages as part of public realm works completed under the Active Travel Infrastructure Programme.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the €10 charge for taking bicycles on Bus Éireann buses is an operational matter for company. As such, I have forwarded the Deputy's request to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
95. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on progress to ensure that the RSA is not prohibited from releasing information on road traffic accidents by GDPR; if he has sought the rationale for ceasing to release such information due to the regulation; and, if so, if he is satisfied that the rationale is reasonable. [5686/24]
View answerAs I indicated in the House on 23 January last, the matter of the sharing of collision data is being addressed by a specialist group chaired by the Road Safety Authority. This group reports to the Road Safety Transformation Partnership Board, the senior officials' group established to ensure delivery of the Government's Road Safety Strategy. The RSA and other stakeholders are in ongoing discussions with the Data Protection Commission about the issue.
This work is progressing and it is currently expected that an agreement on sharing of collision data can be concluded later in 2024.
96. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport with regard to the recently announced expansion of the Dublin commuter zone reduced fares scheme, if he will consider granting Monasterevin commuter town status, allowing people to benefit from the reduced fares. [5703/24]
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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
97. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport what engagement he or his Departmental officials had with the NTA regarding any upgrading of Monasterevin and Athy Train stations, with a view to improving their infrastructure and increasing carriage capacity to facilitate more people using public rail transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5704/24]
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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including upgrades to train stations and infrastructure at train stations.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputies' questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
98. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Finance if he has any plans to further expand the inheritance thresholds in the next budget, particularly where it relates to the estates of single individuals; if he would acknowledge that single people with no children are at a particular disadvantage while estate planning given that their estate will likely be gifted to those in the ‘stranger in blood’ bracket, and therefore a large portion of their estate will be eroded by Inheritance tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4966/24]
View answerCapital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is a tax on gifts and inheritances that is payable by the beneficiary of a gift or inheritance on the value of the property received. It is the relationship between the person providing the gift or inheritance (the disponer) and the person receiving the benefit (the beneficiary) that determines the tax-free threshold (Group threshold) below which CAT does not arise. Any prior gift or inheritance received by a person since 5 December 1991 from within the same Group threshold is aggregated for the purposes of determining whether any CAT is payable on a benefit. Where a person receives gifts or inheritances that are in excess of the relevant Group threshold, CAT at a rate of 33% applies on the excess. There are three Group thresholds:
- the Group A threshold (currently €335,000) applies, inter alia, where the beneficiary is a child (including certain foster children) of the disponer;
- the Group B threshold (currently €32,500) applies where the beneficiary is a brother, sister, nephew, niece or lineal ancestor or lineal descendant of the disponer;
- the Group C threshold (currently €16,250) applies in all other cases.
As noted above, the Group A threshold is available to a beneficiary who is a child of the person providing the gift or inheritance. Where a person receives a gift or inheritance from a person other than a parent, the Group B or the Group C threshold will apply depending on the particular relationship that exists between the parties. The Group A threshold will also apply in the case of parents who inherit from their children where the interest taken is not a limited interest.
With regard to the reference to a single individual without children being disadvantaged by these CAT threshold rules, it is important to bear in mind that CAT is not payable by the individual providing the benefit. It is a donee-based tax that is payable by the recipient of a benefit, based on the taxable value of the benefit they receive. Where property is provided by way of gift or inheritance to a number of individuals, they will each have a Group Threshold in relation to that gift or inheritance based on their individual relationship with the disponer. Any prior benefits within the relevant group threshold will be aggregated in the manner outlined above.
In addition, CAT legislation provides for a number of reliefs and exemptions from CAT. Most of these are not contingent on a particular family relationship existing between the disponer and beneficiary. For example, reliefs are available in relation to gifts and inheritances of agricultural property and certain business property where certain conditions are met.
Further information on CAT, including the various CAT reliefs and exemptions, is available on the Revenue website at https://www.revenue.ie/en/gains-gifts-and-inheritance/index.aspx.
99. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance if ACRES payments, both under the general and co-operation projects, are subject to income tax and USC; his views on same; if he will comment on scenarios where an individual receiving two ACRES payments in 2024 will be subject to a greater level of taxation than would otherwise have been the case had ACRES payments been paid in 2023 and 2024, as previously announced, and, as a consequence, will receive a lower level of after-tax support under ACRES; if he is considering action to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5023/24]
View answer100. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if ACRES payments, both under the general and co-operation projects, are subject to income tax and USC, his views on same, if he will comment on scenarios where an individual receiving two ACRES payments in 2024 will be subject to a greater level of taxation than would otherwise have been the case had ACRES payments been paid in 2023 and 2024 as previously announced, and, as a consequence, will receive a lower level of after-tax support under ACRES, if he is considering action to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5025/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 100 together.
The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is an income support paid to farmers. ACRES payments will be subject to tax as income and will generally be taxed under Schedule D Case I as a receipt of a trade of farming. In the case of individual farmers, an ACRES payment will be subject to income tax and USC.
In general, payments in the form of income supports to farmers are paid in respect of a full calendar year and taxed in that year. However, in cases where the payment for the relevant year has not issued until the following year, the assessable income for tax purposes will be dependent on the basis of accounting adopted by the farmer.
The earnings basis is the strictly legal basis for drawing up accounts for tax purposes, however, I have been advised that Revenue will accept either the earnings basis or the receipts basis provided taxpayers apply the basis consistently and there is no significant loss of revenue over that which would arise if the accounts were prepared on a full earnings basis.
Using the earnings basis, the ACRES payment may be recognised as a receipt accrued over the calendar year in respect of which it was paid. For example, in a case where a farmer’s accounts are made up to 31 December annually, the ACRES payment for the year 2023, regardless of when it is paid, will form a receipt of the year ended 31 December 2023 (2023 tax year).
Under the receipts basis, the ACRES payment may be recognised as a receipt pertaining to the date the payment is issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). For example, if accounts are made up to 31 December annually, the ACRES payment for the year 2023, if paid in February 2024, will form a receipt of the year ended 31 December 2024 (2024 tax year).
Where the use of the receipts basis would result in no ACRES payment being recognised in a 12-month basis period (e.g. where the issue of the ACRES payment is delayed until after the year-end), the returns of that and subsequent periods may be submitted on the earnings basis.
It should be noted that Revenue reserves the right to carry out reviews if persons change the basis on which their accounts are prepared.
