Written Answers Nos. 191-211
191. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the funding that has been provided to Monaghan County Council for the maintenance and upkeep of local and regional roads in each of the years 2016-2023, inclusive, and allocated in 2024, by year, by grant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6055/24]
View answerThe 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. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
The payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The payments booklets outline expenditure by type of grant programme. However, for convenience the grant funding provided to Monaghan County Council for the maintenance and upkeep of regional and local roads are outlined in the table below.
|
Monaghan |
Restoration Improvement |
Restoration Maintenance |
Supplementary Restoration Maintenance |
|
2016 |
€ 3,879,025 |
€ 1,091,862 |
€ - |
|
2017 |
€ 4,324,589 |
€ 1,091,862 |
€ - |
|
2018 |
€ 5,111,000 |
€ 879,000 |
€ 399,500 |
|
2019 |
€ 5,606,500 |
€ 1,028,000 |
€ 405,500 |
|
2020 |
€ 6,315,500 |
€ 1,121,500 |
€ 694,000 |
|
2021 |
€ 6,702,000 |
€ 1,121,500 |
€ 801,000 |
|
2022 |
€ 7,269,000 |
€ 1,121,500 |
€ 881,000 |
|
2023 |
€ 7,681,500 |
€ 1,121,500 |
€ 881,000 |
|
Monaghan |
Discretionary Grant |
Bridge Rehabilitation |
Specific Imp. Grants |
|
2016 |
€ 1,692,045 |
€ 236,000 |
€ - |
|
2017 |
€ 1,786,299 |
€ 255,000 |
€ - |
|
2018 |
€ 1,787,000 |
€ 400,000 |
€ 20,000 |
|
2019 |
€ 2,075,500 |
€ 381,940 |
€ 250,000 |
|
2020 |
€ 2,079,500 |
€ 832,800 |
€ 1,020,000 |
|
2021 |
€ 2,071,500 |
€ 743,000 |
€ 1,350,000 |
|
2022 |
€ 2,070,500 |
€ 788,500 |
€ 1,150,000 |
|
2023 |
€ 2,073,000 |
€ 722,000 |
€ 1,045,000 |
|
Monaghan |
Strategic Regional and Local Roads |
Safety Improvement Works |
Drainage Grant |
|
2016 |
€ - |
€ 175,000 |
€ - |
|
2017 |
€ - |
€ 175,000 |
€ - |
|
2018 |
€ - |
€ 185,000 |
€ 267,000 |
|
2019 |
€ - |
€ 205,000 |
€ 534,000 |
|
2020 |
€ - |
€ 266,000 |
€ 524,880 |
|
2021 |
€ 100,000 |
€ 255,800 |
€ 524,880 |
|
2022 |
€ 100,000 |
€ 262,000 |
€ 524,880 |
|
2023 |
€ 100,000 |
€ 265,000 |
€ 525,000 |
|
Monaghan |
Cycle Signs |
Speed Limits (Housing Area Signage) |
Speed Limits (Rural Speed Limit Signage) |
|
2016 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
2017 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
2018 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
2019 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
2020 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
2021 |
€ 9,100 |
€ - |
€ - |
|
2022 |
€ 13,770 |
€ 15,600 |
|
|
2023 |
€ - |
€ 12,640 |
€ - |
|
Monaghan |
Speed Limits |
Training Grant |
Community Involvement Scheme |
|
2016 |
€ 49,500 |
€ 40,000 |
€ - |
|
2017 |
€ 12,200 |
€ 40,000 |
€ - |
|
2018 |
€ 8,825 |
€ 40,000 |
€ 186,000 |
|
2019 |
€ 3,375 |
€ 40,000 |
€ 617,919 |
|
2020 |
€ 12,000 |
€ 53,000 |
€ 544,000 |
|
2021 |
€ 9,000 |
€ 53,000 |
€ 544,000 |
|
2022 |
€ - |
€ 53,000 |
€ 432,850 |
|
2023 |
€ - |
€ 53,000 |
€ 354,150 |
|
Monaghan |
Former National roads |
PSCI: Survey Support |
Active Travel |
|
2016 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
2017 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
2018 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
2019 |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
|
2020 |
€ - |
€ 18,000 |
€ - |
|
2021 |
€ 300,000 |
€ 18,000 |
€ 272,843 |
|
2022 |
€ 250,000 |
€ 18,000 |
€ - |
|
2023 |
€ 245,480 |
€ 18,000 |
€ - |
|
Monaghan |
Climate Adaptation |
Severe Weather |
|
|
2016 |
€ - |
||
|
2017 |
€ - |
||
|
2018 |
€ - |
||
|
2019 |
€ - |
||
|
2020 |
€ - |
||
|
2021 |
€ 130,775 |
€ - |
|
|
2022 |
€ 418,000 |
€ - |
|
|
2023 |
€ 375,000 |
€ - |
For the Deputy's information an explanation of the purpose of the main Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes is set out below:
Restoration Maintenance (RM): The purpose of the RM grant is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The purpose of restoration maintenance is to maintain the asset before it requires improvement.
Restoration Improvement Grant (RI): The RI grant programme is the main road strengthening programme and caters for surface restoration, pavement overlay works, complete road rehabilitation works and for drainage works where required.
Discretionary Grant (DG): Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works. However Councils are requested to prioritise projects which involve strengthening works, remedying road defects, winter maintenance and drainage works.
Bridge Rehabilitation (BR): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.
Safety Improvement Works (BS): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake safety improvement works.
Community Involvement Scheme (CIS): Facilitates community involvement in the repair and improvement of roads.
Drainage Programme (DR): The purpose of this grant is to promote network resilience.
Former National Roads (FN): The purpose of this grant is to provide assistance to local authorities specifically for the maintenance of former national roads.
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (CCAR): The purpose of this grant is to provide assistance to local authorities for road adaptation/resilience works which have become necessary due to the effects of climate change.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department does not seek annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific and Strategic grant programmes. Instead it considers road improvement projects on a case by case basis taking into account the availability of funding and the outcome of project appraisals.
Grant allocations for 2024 will be notified to local authorities shortly.
192. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the length of local public roads eligible for maintenance funding within each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6056/24]
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.
Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts, the four Dublin Councils are largely self-funding for works on regional and local roads since 2015 and my Department no longer provides grants to these Councils under the main regional and local road grant categories.
Within the budget available to the Department, grant funding is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible. In this context, grants in the main grant categories are allocated based on the length of regional and local roads within a local authority area of responsibility with additional weighting based on contributing traffic factors in specific areas.
The length of regional and local roads within each local authority that have been used as a basis for maintenance grant allocations with effect from 2020 are set out in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
Regional km |
Local km |
Total km |
|
Carlow |
187,992 |
1,062,079 |
1,250,072 |
|
Cavan |
404,073 |
2,503,646 |
2,907,718 |
|
Clare |
634,231 |
3,478,256 |
4,112,488 |
|
Cork |
1,320,362 |
10,420,451 |
11,740,813 |
|
Donegal |
785,569 |
5,383,828 |
6,169,397 |
|
Galway |
906,520 |
5,625,337 |
6,531,857 |
|
Kerry |
534,738 |
3,918,603 |
4,453,341 |
|
Kildare |
486,993 |
1,970,674 |
2,457,666 |
|
Kilkenny |
422,128 |
2,626,103 |
3,048,231 |
|
Laois |
346,302 |
1,863,742 |
2,210,044 |
|
Leitrim |
333,485 |
1,794,222 |
2,127,708 |
|
Limerick |
540,576 |
3,273,958 |
3,814,534 |
|
Longford |
152,440 |
1,399,716 |
1,552,156 |
|
Louth |
286,445 |
1,212,031 |
1,498,476 |
|
Mayo |
624,764 |
5,612,795 |
6,237,560 |
|
Meath |
577,973 |
2,603,664 |
3,181,637 |
|
Monaghan |
297,452 |
2,155,868 |
2,453,320 |
|
Offaly |
392,610 |
1,696,194 |
2,088,804 |
|
Roscommon |
375,896 |
3,376,993 |
3,752,889 |
|
Sligo |
236,195 |
2,443,127 |
2,679,322 |
|
Tipperary |
898,924 |
4,672,198 |
5,571,123 |
|
Waterford |
438,158 |
2,380,631 |
2,818,790 |
|
Westmeath |
307,042 |
1,900,654 |
2,207,694 |
|
Wexford |
476,996 |
3,003,349 |
3,480,345 |
|
Wicklow |
465,015 |
1,821,763 |
2,286,778 |
|
Cork City |
98,380 |
804,113 |
902,494 |
|
Galway City |
39,244 |
247,168 |
286,413 |
|
Total |
12,570,503 |
79,251,163 |
91,821,670 |
193. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport when the EV SPSV scheme for 2024 will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6064/24]
View answerThe Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is in place to support the greening of the SPSV, or taxi, sector. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO2 emissions of a sector which typically has very high mileage, and also can positively influence the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.
The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department of Transport and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs.
The 2024 Scheme is expected to open for applications on 19 February.
194. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if it is intended to provide funding through his Department to ensure that the CIE 1951 Pension Scheme has sufficient funds to pay pension increases to CIE pensioners, taking into account that these public servants have not received a pension increase for 15 years; or alternatively whether this pension scheme will be incorporated into the general public service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6099/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to their pension schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term.
As of end December 2022, the Balance Sheet deficit for the two defined benefit pension schemes operated by CIÉ, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), was €396.5m. While the funding position improved during 2022, and the 1951 scheme now meets the MFS, the RWS currently does not meet the MFS and the funding level is marginal and subject to future market volatility.
In relation to RWS, I signed three Statutory Instruments related to the RWS on 6th July 2022, with an operative date of 18th July 2022.
Regarding the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to Labour Court recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by ballot of trade union members in May 2021. This is being considered by the Department in conjunction with NewERA. The Deputy may also be aware that the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days, and the proceedings are next listed for the 24th of April 2024.
Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes.
Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
195. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the final draft of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review to be prepared for approval by the Ministers north and south following the recent public consultation; the process that will be followed to get final sign off on the strategy in this jurisdiction in order that the elements pertaining to this jurisdiction can be actioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6113/24]
View answerThe 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.
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 of last year. 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. It is expected that the final Review will be published by the Summer.
196. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the current security arrangements surrounding Weston Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6117/24]
View answerThe Irish Aviation Authority has responsibility for certifying and licensing aerodromes in Ireland and oversees compliance with European aviation security regulations. European regulations provide for derogations from certain measures, based on a risk assessment, for aerodromes that do not handle certain types of traffic but I cannot comment on the specific aviation security arrangements at any individual aerodrome.
It is important to note that the information above only relates to aviation security. The provision of information regarding customs, immigration and other border measures is a matter for the relevant Minister.
197. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of issues regarding the hiring of former employees of CIE companies into new roles following the receipt of redundancy payments (detailed supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6119/24]
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 queries raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
198. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline his Department's policy on motor tax rates for pre-2008 vehicles; his views on allowing motorists to avail of rates based on an alternative basis to engine size, considering the embedded carbon preserved by pre-2008 vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6136/24]
View answerNew carbon emissions (CO2) based vehicle registration tax and motor tax systems were introduced for private cars in 2008. The public consultation process on the proposed changes, in December 2006, made it clear from the outset that the objective of the new motor tax system was to influence the future purchasing decisions of consumers in favour of lower carbon emitting vehicles and that cars registered before the introductory date would continue to be taxed in future years under the existing motor tax system where a graduated tax system applies, depending on the engine size of the vehicle. Any retrospective application of CO2 based charges to pre-2008 vehicles would not have been possible as CO2 values for these vehicles had not been collected as the basis for a fiscal charge and were either not available or, where recorded, had not been authenticated for business purposes.
The last general round of increases in motor tax took effect from 1 January 2013. While some increases for the higher emitting CO2 bands were announced in Budget 2020, taking effect from 1 January 2021, there were no rate increases for pre-2008 vehicles. Changes to the rates and to the structure of the motor tax system are generally made at Budget time and are a matter for consideration in that context. The Minister for Finance has ultimate responsibility for the setting of the rates of motor tax and vehicle registration tax.
199. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the direct and indirect subsidies for international passenger air travel; the direct and indirect subsidies for international passenger ferry travel; the climate costs and benefits of each, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6139/24]
View answerThe Department of Transport does not provide direct or indirect subsidies for international passenger air or ferry travel.
200. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his views on an Irish citizen with an expired Australian driving licence for trucks seeking assistance to change the licence back to an Irish driving licence; if the driver can renew the licence in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6151/24]
View answerIrish driver licensing law operates within EU law and is intended to ensure that drivers on our roads meet high safety standards. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles, and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are set out at EU level. A person resident in Ireland must have an Irish/EU driving licence to drive here.
Member states may make bilateral agreements on licence exchange with non-EU jurisdictions. Ireland has such an agreement with Australia. The holder of an Australian licence can apply to exchange it for an Irish licence for up to one year after the expiry of the Australian licence. After that period, the Australian licence is no longer considered valid for exchange purposes.
When people come to Ireland with a non-exchangeable licence and they wish to obtain an Irish licence, they are required to go through the normal licence process - sit a theory test, obtain a learner's permit, take mandatory lessons and sit a practical test.
201. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the number of applicants on a waiting list for a driving test by test centre, in tabular form. [6189/24]
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 questions to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
202. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if a response will issue to queries raised in correspondence (details supplied) in respect of InterCity rail price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6233/24]
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 statutory responsibility for determining the fares to be charged on services.
The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the NTA, and I have therefore referred the question to the NTA for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
203. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will request Transport Infrastructure Ireland to arrange to remove the graffiti on an underpass (details supplied) and to improve the public lighting along the pedestrian side; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6254/24]
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 operation and management 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.
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.
204. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if the active travel scheme is still funding the upgrade and installation of footpaths; if not, when and the reason this policy was changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6288/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for the overall policy and funding of Active Travel infrastructure. The allocation of this funding to the various local authorities falls to the National Transport Authority (NTA) who are responsible for overseeing the delivery of both new projects and upgrading of existing infrastructure.
Investment in Active Travel infrastructure, including footpaths, has increased significantly in recent years, with around €290 million allocated to the NTA for such projects this year alone.
While the majority of this funding is dedicated to the development and construction of new walking and cycling Active Travel infrastructure, just under €40 million was earmarked this year for protection and renewal of existing Active Travel footpaths and cycle lanes.
Separately, while my Department provides grant support for road maintenance and renewal programmes under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme it does not have a specific grant programme for the restoration and repair of footpaths; however, local authorities have the option to fund these types of works from certain grant programmes.
Local Authorities are advised to engage with the NTA each year in the context of funding allocations.
205. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of learner permit holders disqualified in 2023 and to date in 2024, by county; the number that surrendered their learner permit to the Road Safety Authority, by county in 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6308/24]
View answerThe tables below detail the number of learner permit holders disqualified in 2023 and to date in 2024 and the details of those licences that were surrendered, broken down by county.
A notification of disqualification is issued by the Courts Service for drivers convicted of a court disqualification, the notification includes the requirement to surrender the driving licence or learner permit to the NDLS within 14 days of commencement of disqualification.
A notification of disqualification on penalty points and a fixed penalty drink driving disqualification is issued by the Department of Transport and includes the requirement to surrender the driving licence or learner permit to the NDLS within 14 days of commencement of disqualification.
An Garda Síochána have access to data on the National Vehicle Driver File (NVDF) as part of their Mobility Strategy and therefore can detect and prosecute a driver who continues to drive while disqualified. This is the case whether or not a licence has been surrendered.
It should be noted that for disqualifications issued in 2024, the licence holder is given 14 days in which to surrender the licence/permit from commencement of the disqualification. The numbers reflected in these tables are disqualifications/surrenders notified as of 07/02/2024 and should be considered as highly provisional at this point in time.
Any cell with '..' has been obfuscated to comply with statistical disclosure control rules. Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC) refers to methods that allow the dissemination of statistical information while ensuring that individuals are protected against disclosure, typically where there are very small numbers of individuals involved.
206. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the increase in passenger numbers using Iarnród Éireann services in 2023 compared to 2022, broken down by route and between inner commuter, outer commuter and intercity rail; the further investment steps he intends taking to ensure even further growth in rail usage in the coming five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6316/24]
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.
In terms of investment, Iarnród Éireann intend to add to the existing operational fleet, in line with prevailing demand. Iarnród Éireann is maximising use of their rolling stock to meet demand and will continue to monitor passenger loadings. The next significant rail expansion involves two initial orders of 185 electric and battery-electric carriages for the DART+ Fleet, placed in December 2021 (95 carriages) and December 2022 (90 carriages). Up to 750 carriages in total are to be ordered over the coming decade. The first 95 carriages will arrive from mid-2024, entering service from 2025. This will allow for further service improvements across the rail network, and it will allow for increased capacity.
The query raised by the Deputy in relation to passenger numbers is an operational matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
207. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if grant funding is available to support an organisation (details supplied) in Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6335/24]
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.
208. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport in relation to fines levied on students who fail to present their student travel card on bus and rail services, if the National Transport Authority provides an appeal mechanism where this can be waived if they can later show that they had simply forgotten the card; and if he would support such an initiative if one does not already exist. [6350/24]
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 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 is an operational matter for the NTA. 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 a reply within ten working days.
209. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if he will comment on the ongoing use by his Department of "accident black spots", and their proven effectiveness as speed reduction measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6358/24]
View answerTransport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in collaboration with the local authorities throughout the country, hold responsibility for roads infrastructure and maintenance.
A critical function of TII is to identify safety issues on the national road network through proactive and reactive analysis. Road Safety Inspection (RSI) is a safety procedure that was introduced by TII to comply with the EU Directive on Road Infrastructure Safety Management (EU RISM) and is a proactive approach to improving the safety of the existing national road network.
TII also conduct reactive analysis and produce a network safety ranking, which is the process of using collision data to rank the safety of the national road network and to identify high collision locations.
As part of Local Authorities' response following a fatal collision in their area, the LA area engineer, Investigating Office, and/or Forensic Collision Investigator meet at the location of the collision and complete an LA16 form detailing the mechanism of the collision. This information is used by the Local Authority to understand the possible contribution of infrastructure on regional and local roads to collisions.
210. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of trees felled, and the reasons for felling, as part of the M28 works from Cork to Ringaskiddy. [6416/24]
View answer211. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the cost spend to date on the M28 works from Cork to Ringaskiddy. [6417/24]
View answer212. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the height of the walls being constructed as sound barriers as part of the M28 works from Cork to Ringaskiddy. [6418/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 to 212, inclusive, together.
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, construction and maintenance 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.
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.
