Written Answers Nos. 171-190
171. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the broadband connection point at Mountbellow mart will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6475/24]
View answerAwaiting reply from Department.
172. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what procedures are in place to ensure that those who have recently occupied a previous unoccupied house can avail of the electricity account credit payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6511/24]
View answerLocal authorities are responsible for municipal waste collection and waste management planning within their functional areas. It is open to the Chief Executive of any local authority to exercise their executive function in relation to waste collection to re-enter the waste collection market as direct service providers if they so choose, either alongside existing permitted service providers or subject to making arrangements to replace those providers.
Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 I am, as Minister, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
173. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he plans to engage with local authorities to explore the possibility of local councils providing more public waste collection services, particularly in the context of private companies raising the price of bin collections for many households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6532/24]
View answerLocal authorities are responsible for municipal waste collection and waste management planning within their functional areas. It is open to the Chief Executive of any local authority to exercise their executive function in relation to waste collection to re-enter the waste collection market as direct service providers if they so choose, either alongside existing permitted service providers or subject to making arrangements to replace those providers.
Under section 60(3) of the Waste Management Act 1996 I am, as Minister, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance by a local authority, in particular circumstances, of a statutory function vested in it.
174. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the rational and basis upon which he intends to place restrictions on Defence Forces representative associations through the Defence Forces Amendment Bill 2023; his views on the prohibition of representative associations from making public statements or commenting concerning political matters; his intended definition of ‘political matter’ within the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6032/24]
View answerThe proposals set out in the General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023, to prohibit the Defence Force Representative Associations from making a public statement or comment concerning a political matter, is already provided for in Regulation, namely the Defence Force Regulation (DFR) S.6, which states that “No public statement or comment concerning a political matter shall be made by the Association”. This position was also confirmed as part of the terms of the 2022 High Court settlement with the Representative Associations in connection with temporary associate membership of ICTU.
It is important to note that Representative Associations are entitled to comment on the impact that a particular policy is having on its members. Under Defence Forces Regulation DFR S.6, regulation 27 (2), a Representative Association can comment on all matters that fall within the scope of representation of the Association, as set out in the Third Schedule to these regulations. This will not be altered by the Defence (Amendment) Bill.
175. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline the findings of the Permanent Defence Force adjudication finding of 24 May 2023: RACO and Department of Defence: conditions of service of the Director of Military Prosecutions; and if subsection 2(2A) as outlined within the Defence Forces Amendment Bill 2023 is consistent with the finding of the adjudication finding. [6033/24]
View answerIt is the case that since 23 January 2020, the holder of the post of Director of Military Prosecutions (DMP) cannot be a member of a Representative Association. This point is set out in Defence Force Regulation (DFR) 02/2020, Section 4(1) and Section 6(2).
The draft Defence (Amendment) Bill proposes to confirm that position and to further include the post of the Military Judge (MJ). Both these posts are unique within the Defence Forces, in that the post holders are independent in the performance of their functions, are not obliged to report to anyone in relation to their functions and the post holders are not in the chain of command. Equally, the DMP and MJ posts are for all members of the Defence Forces and as such they must be seen to be wholly independent, by all, both officers and enlisted, in carrying out their specific duties.
Furthermore the posts of DMP and MJ are open to the public to apply and the terms and conditions for those posts are set out in legislation.
The ruling from the Adjudicator, under the Conciliation and Arbitration (C&A) Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Forces, is currently under appeal to the defence sector Arbitration Board. This appeal is part and parcel of the rights of all parties to the C&A Scheme.
The ruling of the Adjudicator, on this matter, is available on the Oireachtas Library website, via the following link:
opac.oireachtas.ie/Data/Library3/Documents%20Laid/2023/pdf/DODdoclaid290623_142755.pdf.
176. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the establishment figure of the Defence Forces; its strength as of December 2023; the number in full-time induction training, that is, recruits, two-star training, cadet training or apprenticeship, by Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6034/24]
View answerThe establishment for the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) was recently increased by 89 to 9,589 to account for the first cohort of Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) transformation appointments. Personnel in training are counted as part of the 9,589 establishment level. As at 31 December 2023, the strength of the PDF was 7,550 personnel. The requested breakdown of the establishment, strength, and those in full time training figures broken down by service are contained in the table below.
|
- |
Army |
Air Corps |
Naval Service |
Total |
|
|
Establishment |
7,520 |
886 |
1,094 |
9,589* |
|
|
Strength |
6,136 |
689 |
725 |
7,550 |
|
|
Induction Training |
Cadets |
78 |
17 |
8 |
103 |
|
Recruits |
69 |
0 |
17 |
86 |
|
|
Private 2* |
98 |
5 |
13 |
116 |
|
|
Apprentices |
0 |
47 |
0 |
47 |
|
|
Trainee Military Aircraft Systems Technician |
0 |
12 |
0 |
12 |
|
|
Total |
245 |
81 |
38 |
364 |
*includes 89 personnel for CODF implementation
177. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 18 January 2024, if he considers the UNDOF peacekeeping mission an appropriate response to the situation in the Golan Heights; if the mission is in line with Irish foreign policy; his views on the level of risk involved; the latest analysis of his Department as to the level of risk involved; the extent to which the required skills or characteristics relate to Irish capabilities; if he believe the objectives and mandate of the mission is realistic, clear and has the potential to contribute to a political solution; if the operation is adequately resourced; and the number of Defence Forces personnel deployed on United Nations endorsed peacekeeping missions in the years 2019 to date, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6035/24]
View answerTo answer the Deputy's questions, since its establishment in 1974, the UNDOF mission has helped maintain an area of separation over 75 kilometers long between the Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights, thereby substantially contributing to fulfilling its UN mandate.
In recent years, the region has encountered varying escalations of conflict, which have affected the UNDOF area of operations. Nevertheless, the UN Secretary General’s most recent report acknowledged the continued importance of both parties liaising with UNDOF, as part of a continuous effort to contribute to de-escalation during times of heightened tension. The difficult operating environment for the mission should not detract from the importance of the mission in contributing to regional stability and deescalating tensions between the parties. As stated in the mandate, UNDOF’s deployment and the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement are steps toward a just and durable peace on the basis of Security Council resolution 338 (1973).
As the Deputy will be aware, all peacekeeping missions have associated risk. The Defence Forces have operated in the Middle East since 1958 and is habitually acquainted with the risks associated with this theatre. The Defence Forces are well trained, equipped and are resolute in carrying out the peacekeeping and humanitarian tasks assigned to it in the fulfilment of its overseas missions.
The Defence Force, on an ongoing basis, engage in ongoing risk assessments and mitigation for all its peacekeeping missions. As is the case in all Missions including this one, appropriate force protection measures are adopted in line with up to date threat assessments.
UN peacekeeping operations are managed by the UN Department of Peace Operations with Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) providing resources. There are currently some 130 Irish Peacekeepers deployed in the UNDOF mission. In addition, there are a number of DF Staff officers in UNDOF HQ, and a number of Defence Forces' unarmed observers in the region with UNTSO mission. The Irish contingent has sufficient personnel and equipment to adequately complete its mission.
Ireland will complete its’ withdrawal of its UNDOF Infantry Group deployment in April 2024. A replacement Troop Contributing Country has been selected to take over this role. Planning for the withdrawal of the Defence Forces' contingent is well advanced, involving the United Nations, the Force Headquarters, the current Irish contingent and the replacement Troop Contributing Country. Notwithstanding the withdrawal of the Infantry Group, the Defence Forces intends to continue to occupy a small number of staff officer posts at the UNDOF Mission HQ.
Defence Forces personnel deployed on United Nations endorsed peacekeeping missions in the years 2019 to date are listed below.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 -to date |
|
UNTSO (Middle East) |
18 |
18 |
18 |
18 |
17 |
15 |
|
MINURSO (Western Sahara) |
9 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
MONUSCO (Democratic Rep Congo) |
12 |
9 |
9 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
UNIFIL HQ (Lebanon) |
18 |
18 |
18 |
18 |
15 |
8 |
|
UNIFIL Infantry Battalion (Lebanon) |
1023 |
1020 |
1023 |
1023 |
995 |
314 |
|
UNIFIL Sector West HQ (Lebanon) |
24 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
4 |
|
UNDOF Infantry Group (Golan Heights) |
390 |
390 |
390 |
390 |
393 |
132 |
|
UNDOF HQ (Golan Heights) |
16 |
18 |
16 |
14 |
12 |
6 |
|
UNMAS |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
|
MINUSMA (Mali) |
14 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
0 |
0 |
|
EUFOR (Bosnia & Herzegovina) |
14 |
14 |
14 |
19 |
11 |
6 |
|
EUTM Mali |
59 |
60 |
60 |
54 |
22 |
0 |
|
Operations HQ/Floating HQ (Operation Sophia HQ) |
13 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Operations HQ/Floating HQ (Operation Irini HQ |
0 |
3 |
9 |
9 |
13 |
4 |
|
KFOR HQ |
37 |
36 |
36 |
36 |
38 |
13 |
|
Total |
1647 |
1651 |
1649 |
1641 |
1531 |
503 |
178. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 142 and 143 of 18 January 2024, the number of officers, non-commissioned officers and privates in the First Line Reserve; the number of applications to join the First Line Reserve received; the number within that have been enlisted in the years 2013 to 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6036/24]
View answerThe First Line Reserve (FLR) is intended to provide a pool of trained personnel who are available at short notice to supplement Permanent Defence Force (PDF) units in times of emergency. There is currently no set establishment for the FLR.
The existing regulatory framework provides for former members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) to join the Army Reserve or Naval Service Reserve. This is subject to their meeting certain criteria. Direct entry to the FLR is currently limited to personnel who are departing the PDF and have undertaken, either voluntarily or on foot of a contractual commitment, to complete a period of service in the FLR.
The FLR is an area which will be examined in the context of work arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF). As an interim measure, the Department are receiving business cases from the Military Authorities for applications for personnel wishing to join the FLR. The applications are assessed on a case by case basis having regard to the particular skills-sets of the member. Since 2020, the Department has received 9 applications in total of which 6 have been approved and a further 1 is currently under consideration.
The Military Authorities have advised that as of 31 December 2023, the strength of the First Line Reserve (FLR) is 282, comprising of 5 Officers, 46 Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and 231 Privates.
A full breakdown of FLR members, including those enlisted between the years 2013 – 2022, is as follows:
|
YEAR |
FORMATION |
OFFR |
NCO |
PTE |
TOTAL |
|
2023 |
ARMY |
2 |
13 |
117 |
132 |
|
AIR CORPS |
5 |
22 |
27 |
||
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
3 |
28 |
92 |
123 |
|
|
TOTAL |
5 |
46 |
231 |
282 |
|
|
2022 |
ARMY |
13 |
121 |
134 |
|
|
AIR CORPS |
4 |
22 |
26 |
||
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
3 |
27 |
90 |
120 |
|
|
TOTAL |
3 |
44 |
233 |
280 |
|
|
2021 |
ARMY |
13 |
121 |
134 |
|
|
AIR CORPS |
4 |
20 |
24 |
||
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
3 |
21 |
89 |
113 |
|
|
TOTAL |
3 |
38 |
230 |
271 |
|
|
2020 |
ARMY |
14 |
118 |
132 |
|
|
AIR CORPS |
4 |
20 |
24 |
||
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
3 |
16 |
87 |
106 |
|
|
TOTAL |
3 |
34 |
225 |
262 |
|
|
2019 |
ARMY |
16 |
12 |
136 |
164 |
|
AIR CORPS |
2 |
4 |
20 |
26 |
|
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
17 |
12 |
85 |
114 |
|
|
TOTAL |
35 |
28 |
241 |
304 |
|
|
2018 |
ARMY |
16 |
11 |
130 |
157 |
|
AIR CORPS |
2 |
4 |
19 |
25 |
|
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
17 |
9 |
80 |
106 |
|
|
TOTAL |
35 |
24 |
229 |
288 |
|
|
2017 |
ARMY |
22 |
11 |
123 |
156 |
|
AIR CORPS |
3 |
4 |
19 |
26 |
|
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
20 |
7 |
62 |
89 |
|
|
TOTAL |
45 |
22 |
204 |
271 |
|
|
2016 |
ARMY |
25 |
10 |
109 |
144 |
|
AIR CORPS |
6 |
4 |
18 |
28 |
|
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
22 |
4 |
50 |
76 |
|
|
TOTAL |
53 |
18 |
177 |
248 |
|
|
2015 |
ARMY |
27 |
11 |
102 |
140 |
|
AIR CORPS |
7 |
4 |
17 |
28 |
|
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
25 |
4 |
43 |
72 |
|
|
TOTAL |
59 |
19 |
162 |
240 |
|
|
2014 |
ARMY |
27 |
10 |
113 |
150 |
|
AIR CORPS |
7 |
4 |
15 |
26 |
|
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
27 |
7 |
43 |
77 |
|
|
TOTAL |
61 |
21 |
171 |
253 |
|
|
2013 |
ARMY |
29 |
13 |
117 |
159 |
|
AIR CORPS |
10 |
7 |
17 |
||
|
NAVAL SERVICE |
29 |
9 |
33 |
71 |
|
|
TOTAL |
68 |
22 |
157 |
247 |
I would like to assure the Deputy that it is my intention, and that of the Chief of Staff, to ensure that the momentum behind the regeneration of the RDF will be maintained, thereby enabling us, going forward, to create a Reserve Defence Force that can seamlessly train, operate and deploy with the Permanent Defence Force, both nationally and internationally.
179. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 23 January 2024, if he intends to conduct a public consultation regarding his proposal to remove the triple lock neutrality protection; if he intends to allow the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny; if he will give an undertaking not to guillotine the legislation in either Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6052/24]
View answerLast year’s Consultative Forum on International Security Policy featured a well-informed discussion on the issue of UN peacekeeping and the “Triple Lock", contributed to by a wide and varied perspective of views on this matter, and which was subsequently reflected in the Chair’s report. This debate provided ample evidence of ways in which to continue Ireland’s long-standing record on peacekeeping, while ensuring adherence to the highest standards of international law.
I wish to re-confirm that any change to the Triple Lock will continue to require Government and Dáil approval for the dispatch of Defence Forces’ personnel to take part in peacekeeping and similar missions and will do nothing to change Ireland’s traditional position of military neutrality, which is characterised by Ireland's non-participation in any military alliance.
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the provisions of Dáil Standing Order 174A, as Minister of Defence I am required to refer the General Scheme of a Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny consideration by the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to determine if pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme is required.
180. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 23 January 2024, if he has considered adopting a statutory ban on the training of military personnel in Ireland from states involved in illegal occupations, apartheid or genocide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6053/24]
View answerTo answer the Deputy's question, there are currently no plans to adopt a statutory ban on the training of military personnel in Ireland from any other state.
181. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on his engagements regarding a European Union mission to the Red Sea; the position of Ireland in relation to such a mission; if Ireland will be contributing in any way towards the mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6054/24]
View answerIn response to the deterioration of maritime security in the Red Sea and the impacts on shipping and navigational rights as well as regional peace and security, the EU is exploring the possibility of a new maritime operation to protect merchant vessels transiting in straits used for international navigation. This right of passage is enshrined in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The proposed operation would be established under the EU’s common security and defence policy [CSDP], with ships and crew deployed from EU Member State navies. The EU operation will be a defensive only operation to protect EU interests to ensure maritime shipping can operate as normal from Europe to Asia. The operation will only use proportionate force at sea in self-defence to react to attacks.
While Ireland will not be participating in the operation, we are supportive of its establishment, given the need to protect merchant ships and their crews from attack and our own national interest in economic and supply-chain stability. It is expected that once agreed, the new EU maritime security operation, EUNAVFOR Operation ASPIDES, will be launched later this month, at the Foreign Affairs Council on 19 February.
Finally, it is important to note that UN Security Council Resolution 2722 on 10 January last called for an immediate end to attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and noted the right of Member States to defend their vessels and the rights of passage from attack.
182. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of qualified avionics technicians and cadet pilots in training currently within the Air Corps. [6213/24]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the required information within the timeframe available. I shall provide the information to the Deputy once it becomes available.
183. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of women in the Defence Forces; the recruitment target; the number who have left, by branch and by year, for the years 2020 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6462/24]
View answerAs at 31 December 2023, the number of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force was 559.
The table below sets out the number of women in each branch, and the number of discharges from the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service as at 31 December 2023.
|
- |
Army |
Air Corps |
Naval Service |
||||||||||
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
Female Strength |
496 |
488 |
456 |
467 |
39 |
39 |
43 |
31 |
68 |
71 |
65 |
61 |
|
|
Discharges |
29 |
35 |
50 |
32 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
10 |
8 |
6 |
In 2023, 37 female inductions represented some 9% of the total inductions of 415 personnel. This was in line with the aims of the Chief of Staff for 2023.
Special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment within the general recruitment framework and the High Level Action Plan agreed by Government on the Commission on the Defence Forces contains a range of recommendations designed to assist in increasing female participation in the Defence Forces. The Government remains committed to increasing female participation rates at all levels of the Defence Forces in order to increase capability and to better reflect the society from which the Defence Forces are drawn and serve.
184. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of women in the Reserve Defence Forces; the recruitment target; the number who have left, by branch and by year, for the years 2020 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6463/24]
View answerAs of 31 December 2023, the effective female strength is 178, of which 171 are in the Army Reserve and 7 are in the Naval Service Reserve.
The military authorities have advised that for each of the years 2020 to 2023, the number of female discharges from the Reserve Defence Force is as follows:
|
RDF Discharges (Female) |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Army Reserve |
11 |
14 |
4 |
18 |
|
Naval Service Reserve |
3 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
|
Total |
14 |
15 |
8 |
20 |
While it is not possible to estimate the year on year female participation rates going forward, the Commission on the Defence Forces have recommended a female participation rate of 35% across the Defence Forces.
In light of the Commission on the Defence Forces report and the report of the Independent Review Group on dignity and equality issues, I have prioritised a significant programme of reform and culture change within the Defence Forces to ensure that it is an equal opportunities employer, providing a safe workplace which is fully reflective of contemporary Irish society.
Additional actions that are to be advanced under the Strategic Framework for Transformation of the Defence Forces include the appointment of a senior Gender Advisor at Colonel level; options for female participation at General Staff level; and the development of gender, diversity and unconscious bias training.
These are important initiatives which will underpin the commitment to moving to a strong representation by women across all ranks of the Defence Forces.
In addition to current recruitment and retention measures for the RDF, a regeneration plan is being prepared following the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF). This plan is being developed by the Defence Forces Office of Reserve Affairs (ORA) which was established last year on foot of recommendations in that Report.
I wish to assure the Deputy of the Government's continued commitment to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.
185. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 134 of 28 November 2023, if the medical records of a member of the Defence Forces were found to be incorrect and inaccurate, the procedure that is in place to put this miscarriage of justice right; the person or body to contact with new evidence and supporting documents (details supplied) to rectify this important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6620/24]
View answerFurther to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 134 on 28th November 2023, the Defence Forces have advised me that every effort is made to ensure that medical records of Defence Force personnel are maintained accurately and in confidence. Should any incorrect or inaccurate entries be identified, I am informed that they are duly corrected at that time and point.
For the Deputy's awareness, the data controller for medical records is the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) and contact details for the Data Protection Officer for the Defence Forces are as follows:
Data Protection Officer Defence Forces, Director J1, Defence Forces Headquarters,Station Road, Newbridge,Co.Kildare.
As set out in my previous reply to you, the individual in question discharged from the Defence Forces in 1989 at their own request, having completed 12 years’ service. Since then, at their own request, my Officials undertook an extensive search, including through liaison with the Office of the Chief State Solicitor, to ascertain the whereabouts of two documents from his medical records that were provided in relation to a hearing loss claim that is now concluded, namely;
• AF 14 (Medical Examination sheet) from 11th February 1977 and
• AF 332A (Report on medical examination of member prior to discharge) from 20th March 1989.
Despite the best efforts of my officials and military personnel, it was unfortunately, not possible to locate these documents. The unsuccessful efforts to locate copies of these two medical documents have been explained in correspondence with the individual.
186. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport what funding supports could be provided to a group (details supplied) for the purchase a vital piece of equipment. [6074/24]
View answerVoluntary search and rescue groups, such as those referred by the Deputy, do not come under the aegis of the Department of Transport.
Occasional funding may be available to voluntary groups from other government sources including the Department of Rural and Community Development, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and local authorities. Water Safety Ireland implement a VAT exemption scheme applicable to independent maritime search organisations.
187. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport to respond to concerns raised by a local organisation and service users (details supplied) in respect of the difficulty in securing disability-adapted taxis in County Louth; what measures are being, or could be, considered to increase the number of disability-friendly taxi units in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6435/24]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
My Department is committed to making public transport accessible for all, and the NTA has informed me of a number of measures they have taken to improve the availability of wheelchair accessible taxis nationally.
In order to increase the wheelchair accessible vehicle penetration of the SPSV fleet nationwide (taxis, hackneys, and limousines), the NTA introduced S.I. No. 250 of 2010 - Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Grant of Taxi Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 - in June 2010, to only issue new taxi and hackney licences for wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys. This S.I. has been supported by wheelchair accessible vehicle grants to assist the industry to convert to or purchase an accessible vehicle.
The NTA introduced a new fixed penalty (fine) for discrimination against service users with a disability, with effect from 1 January 2023. Where there is a refusal of a driver of an SPSV to carry a passenger in a wheelchair, they can be fined NTA's maximum statutory fixed penalty (fine) amount of €250, reflecting the gravity and nature of the offence. The holder of a wheelchair accessible taxi/ hackney licence is required to give priority to bookings in respect of persons with disabilities. As of 31st January 2024, there are 75 wheelchair accessible taxis and hackneys active in Louth according to NTA vehicle statistics.
I have referred your question to the NTA for further information and direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
188. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport to review correspondence (detail supplied) from Monaghan County Council ; if he will address the issues outlined in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6042/24]
View answerThe Department of Transport received the referenced correspondence from Monaghan County Council on 1 February 2024. The issues raised in the letter are currently under consideration and a reply to the Council will issue in due course.
189. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport to review correspondence (detail supplied) from Monaghan County Council ; if he will address the issues outlined in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6044/24]
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 these projects.
I can confirm that €600,000 was allocated for the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney scheme in 2023 in order to meet project commitments. The N2 Clontibret to the Border scheme was selected to receive EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding, and matching funding of €2.5 million was allocated in 2023. The allocations 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 as to the latest status of these projects. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
With regard to the North South Interconnnector, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas.
190. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport to review correspondence (detail supplied) from Monaghan County Council ; if he will address the issues outlined in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6045/24]
View answerTransport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has been tasked with managing the central purchase of salt stocks for national, regional and local roads. The upfront cost related to the purchase and stocking of salt for national roads is funded from TII’s grant allocation while the cost for regional and local roads is funded from the Department’s Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme budget. In the case of regional and local roads, a charge for salt used over the previous winter by individual local authorities is deducted from Councils’ Discretionary Grant in the following year. While it is open to local authorities to purchase salt independently for regional and local roads, most local authorities draw on the central facility.TII looks after the management of the central salt stocks for national, regional and local roads with the Department approving salt purchases for regional and local roads. The amount of salt used each year varies depending on the weather and each winter season assessments have to be made in relation to the amount and timing of salt purchases, taking into account usage, stock balances and storage capacity. In this context TII monitors stock drawdowns closely with a view to ensuring that sufficient stocks are in place to meet demand from local authorities.As regards the gritting of regional and local roads, it is a matter for each Council to determine its winter road treatment programme including the prioritisation of routes for salting/gritting. 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 operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
