Written Answers Nos. 81-103
81. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport to report on the progress made by the steering group to advance the flood mitigation works at Ballycar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7093/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware I previously met with my colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, to discuss the complex issues in relation to flooding in the Ballycar area. At that meeting it was proposed to reconvene meetings of a previously established steering group to continue discussions. The group was to be comprised of representatives from the Office of Public Works, Clare County Council, Geological Survey Ireland and Iarnród Éireann. I have not received a report from the group as regards progress to date.
82. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport what assurances he can give with regard to the timely delivery of battery electric and electric DART carriages, in light of supply and financial forecasts cited by the preferred bidder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6676/24]
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 the DART+ Fleet project.
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.
83. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the demand and requirement for an NCT centre and a dedicated driving test centre for north Wicklow; if any assessment of these services for residents in this area has been carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6687/24]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Testing Service and National Driver Testing Service, including the provision of new test centres, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response with the information requested has not been received within ten days.
84. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be provided for changes to the N22 / R569 Cork- Kerry junction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6695/24]
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.
85. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine transport links between Tullamore and Athlone in view that since the termination of a route by a private bus operator there are only two Bus Éireann services per day linking these towns. [6700/24]
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 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 including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town 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.
86. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is considering to support the transport industry in relation to fuel costs, ever increasing insurance premiums, cost of implementing Government decisions such as the minimum wage, extra holidays/bank holidays, and extra staff costs because of the cost of living increases and Government red tape. [6710/24]
View answerThe Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. To support this objective, under Budget 2024, a funding package of c. €613.463m has been secured for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and Local Link services. I am keenly aware of the cost of public transport to the user. That is why for 2024 I have negotiated the retention of a range of discounts, first introduced in 2022, particularly the average 20% discount on public transport fares and the 50% discount for the Young Adult Card. In addition, the age limit of the card has been extended for 2024 from 23 to 25.
I am also conscious of the impact of increasing costs on public transport operators. I want to assure the Deputy that these increasing costs are always considered when the annual Public Service Obligation (PSO) Budget is agreed annually. Indeed, it is a key feature of the PSO contracts between the National Transport Authority and the public transport operators that they allow for contract variations and indexation to be factored in when agreeing the annual allocations. This approach ensures that inflation factors, including increased fuel and wage costs etc., are fully factored into the budgets agreed with the PSO operators.
Further, during the period of surging inflation in 2022 and 2023, I supported the delay in passing on the increased toll prices to drivers. I secured funding for the introduction of the Emergency Haulier Relief scheme, to assist in mitigating the impact of increased fuel prices on road hauliers, who provide a vital service and are a key component of supply chains. Furthermore, my Department provides grant incentives to support the transition from more costly to run petrol and diesel vehicles to more environmentally friendly and cost efficient electric vehicles.
87. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if private jet passengers are included in the passenger numbers for 2023 published by Dublin Airport; if he supports reducing the number of private jets using the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6734/24]
View answerAs the deputy will be aware, daa has the statutory responsibility for the operation, management and development of Dublin Airport.
I am advised by daa that the most recent available data shows that there were 7,842 General Aviation movements, including private jets, at Dublin Airport in 2023. This number of movements was over 10% less than in 2022 when there were 8,787 movements. In terms of a percentage of passenger numbers, general aviation constituted 0.052% of the passengers at Dublin Airport last year.
While I understand that there are currently no plans to reduce the number of private jets using the airport, the environmental impact of private jets was discussed at the EU Council of Transport Ministers meeting in June last year. At that time, I joined other EU Member States in calling on the Commission to consider measures to address the environmental impact of this sector, as aviation is inherently international and such measures are therefore best addressed in an international context.
88. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport if bus/coach contractors operating under the National Transport Authority are required to inform the authority of break downs; and if so, if the Minister can provide figures for 2023 for breakdowns/loss of service on National transport Authority routes servicing Limerick city and county. [6753/24]
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 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 question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
89. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6771/24]
View answerMy Department communicated, to all staff, guidance received from the Department of An Taoiseach in respect of the application of the principles of the various Court judgments relevant to the Government’s role in referendum campaigns.
This was further communicated to public bodies under the aegis of my Department.
It is the responsibility of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, under Chapter 5, Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, to provide a general explanation of the subject matter of the proposals for the referendums and to promote public awareness and encourage voting at the referendums.
90. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the future expansion of Dublin Bus, in view of the need to encourage more people to use public transport and to ensure that the bus service is reliable and frequent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6784/24]
View answerThe Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal.
To support this objective, under Budget 2024, a funding package of c. €613.463m has been secured for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and Local Link services. This package includes funding for the continuation of the 20% fare reduction on PSO services, the extension of the Young Adult Card on both PSO and commercial bus services to include 24-and-25-year-olds, and the continuation of the 90-minute fare until the end of 2024. Funding has also been secured to support the continued roll-out of new and enhanced bus and rail services this year, including the continued roll-out of the BusConnects programme in our cities, which Dublin Bus services in the Greater Dublin Area.
The statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally rests with the National Transport Authority (NTA). The NTA works with the public transport operators, who deliver the services and have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. As such, I referred the Deputy's query regarding service reliability and frequency to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
91. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport what steps he is taking to improve the coordination and communication between Transport for Ireland and Dublin Bus for the TFI App, in order that commuters can have access to timely and accurate information about their bus routes and schedules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6785/24]
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 issues raised in relation to the TFI Live App are a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
92. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport with regard to nationality details on newly issued driver licences, why, given that those born in the North of Ireland would previously have been identified on their driver licence as Irish, for renewed licences for the same applicants, 'Northern Ireland' is now stated on the nationality section of the licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6796/24]
View answerA person born in any of the counties of Northern Ireland can have their place of birth recorded as Ireland, the UK or Northern Ireland, whichever the applicant has indicated.
An online application for a driving licence requires a Public Services Card (PSC) and the place of birth on the licence will be that in the PSC details. These details cannot be amended by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). If applicants wish to amend this, they must contact the Department of Social Protection to do so, before they submit an application to the NDLS.
93. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport his views on a by-pass road for Killorglin and the implementation of a traffic management plan for the town, bearing in mind the 2015-2021 County Development Plan contains a commitment to such a bypass. [6894/24]
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.
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.
94. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the Bus Éireann routes that serve communities in County Monaghan; the total number of services scheduled to operate in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the number delayed; the number cancelled, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6898/24]
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 matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. Accordingly, I have 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.
95. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he will meet with the N2/A5/Ten-T Cross Border Committee, which comprises of representatives from Derry City and Strabane District Council, Donegal County Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Mid Ulster District Council and Monaghan County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6943/24]
View answerThe planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the authorities in Northern Ireland.
The funding arrangements in relation to the A5 have been governed by the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start, and under this Agreement the Government is committed to provide funding of £75 million towards the cost of the A5 upgrade scheme once the statutory planning process in Northern Ireland is concluded. Provision of £25 million sterling is being made by my Department in 2024 for funding the scheme, should this be required.
I can confirm that my Department officials regularly engage with colleagues in the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. These engagements consider a range of North/South transport proposals, including the A5.
In relation to the suggested meeting, diary requests can be sent to ministerdiary@transport.gov.ie and will be dealt with in line with all other meeting requests.
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 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.
The N2 Ardee to South of Castleblayney bypass road scheme received an allocation of €600k in 2023. The N2 Clontibret to the Border scheme received an allocation of €2,500,000, which matches funding provided through the EU Connecting Europe Facility. Furthermore, the Donegal TEN-T project, which would connect to the A5 at Lifford/Strabane, received an allocation of €1,500,000. Allocations for 2024 will be announced in the near future.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct update as to the projects on the N2 and the Donegal TEN-T project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
96. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the actions he has taken to increase the number of taxi operators in regional towns and rural areas; if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied) to discuss this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6986/24]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including SPSVs 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. The NTA met the 'Taxi Coalition' recently, of which the Vintners Fédération of Ireland is a member, on various SPSV related issues. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Both the NTA and the Department have taken a number of steps to support taxi drivers nationally and to increase the number of taxis available to passengers, especially for people getting home at night.
Whilst the NTA has statutory responsibility for regulating (licensing and enforcement) the SPSV industry, taxi drivers are self-employed individuals and, as such, decide on their own business strategies within the regulatory framework. As a result, SPSV operators choose the times at which they operate.
The NTA’s Board approved an average increase of 12% on taxi fares from 1st September 2022. The increase is weighted in favour of premium hours, such as weekend nights, Sundays, and bank holidays. It is designed to attract more people to the taxi industry and to encourage more taxi drivers to work during unsocial hours, such as late nights, therefore increasing availability of taxis to passengers nationally. This late-night fare weighting is working very well, which is borne out in a much-reduced number of consumer complaints received by the NTA.
The current number of licensed vehicles is 19,779. 47% of those vehicles are licensed to drivers with addresses in rural areas. A licensed vehicle can be operated anywhere in the country. It is only the licensed driver that has a geographical area restriction. In May 2023, the NTA undertook a nationally representative survey of taxi user research which covered the topic of availability. Of the respondents, which included both rural and urban areas, 81% reported finding it easy to get a taxi (under 15 minutes).
A total of 2,098 new SPSV driver licences have been granted by An Garda Síochána, the licensing authority for SPSV drivers, in the last 12 months. This is a 72% increase when compared to the previous 12 months (February 2022 to January 2023). For 2023, the monthly average for new driver licences issued was 166. This is due to the aforementioned 2022 NTA ‘Driver Recruitment Campaign’ which ran in July 2022. In comparison, 2022 had a monthly average of 99 per month, 2021 had 45, 2020 had 71 and 2019 had 139.
Due to the difficulties experienced with sourcing replacement vehicles, vehicle age limits were extended several times during the Covid pandemic, therefore ensuring no operator exited the industry simply because of the need to replace a vehicle. The NTA introduced Regulations in late 2022, permitting a further extension to the final operation date of vehicles due to reach their final date of operation/maximum permissible age between 13 March 2020 and 31 December 2024. They do not expect to have to further extend vehicle age limits beyond that date. In addition, the period that an SPSV licence may rest in inactive status after expiry was permanently extended to 24 months (previously 12 months).
In areas where there is a demonstrated lack of SPSV services, applications are open to any person who wishes to provide a local area hackney service, subject to the regulations. To operate this service, two licences are required. These are: (1) a local area hackney licence for the vehicle – this three-year licence is obtainable from the NTA; and (2) a licence to drive a local area hackney – this licence is obtainable from An Garda Síochána. It is not required if a person already holds a valid licence to drive small public service vehicles.
A resident of the area in respect of which the local area hackney licence is sought, is not required to undertake the Industry Knowledge or Area Knowledge tests normally applying for SPSV driver licences. Local area hackney drivers nevertheless must be licensed, and their vehicles must be licensed and insured. There are currently 22 local area hackney operators active nationwide.
In 2023, the NTA launched the Local Area Hackney Pilot Scheme, a grant-aided scheme to support rural transport needs where existing transport services were found to be lacking. Despite significant work undertaken by the NTA to support the provision of local hackney services nationwide, only two operators have chosen to become licensed under that Scheme (Roundwood and Castlepollard).
Finally, there is no cap on either vehicle or driver licence numbers in Ireland. The NTA is currently accepting licence applications for wheelchair accessible taxis, wheelchair accessible hackneys, limousines, and local area hackneys.
97. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport for an update on discussions regarding the recognition of Argentinian driver licences for the haulage industry. [6997/24]
View answerReaching a driving licence exchange agreement with another country is a comprehensive process, carried out between the statutory licensing authorities in each state. To ensure the safety of road users, such agreements can be made only when the relevant authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the two licensing regimes and are satisfied that they are comparable. If standards and procedures are not comparable, the process does not continue. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Unfortunately, the RSA’s examination of the Argentinian driving test and licensing system has found it does not currently meet the requirements set out in Directive 2006/126/EU on driving licences and on-road tests.
98. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider commencing negotiations with the Indian authorities on recognising their driver license. [6998/24]
View answerIreland may make bilateral driving licence exchange agreements with non-EU jurisdictions. Such agreements can be made only when the authorities in both jurisdictions have studied and compared the licensing regimes and each side is satisfied that they are compatible. This is a comprehensive process, carried out between the statutory licensing authorities in each state, to ensure the safety of road users. If standards and procedures are not comparable, the process does not continue. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The Government's priority in these matters is to identify countries that may be a source of professional drivers (coach and HGV), given the well documented shortages faced in Ireland and across the EU in these sectors. As such, the RSA and my Department are currently finalising agreements with Georgia and North Macedonia. Priority has also been given to examining the licensing procedures of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Moldova. There is currently no process under way in relation to an exchange agreement with India.
99. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and ensure necessary funding is made available to Delvin to address parking along the N51 in the interests of safety. [7008/24]
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.
100. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the development of Kishogue train station; when this can be expected to be completed; the additional cost to works caused by the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7054/24]
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 the works at Kishogue train station.
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.
101. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Mullingar town bus service. [7070/24]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the roll-out of new services, including in Mullingar, County Westmeath, 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.
102. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority will reinstate the extra capacity on a bus route in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7081/24]
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 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 question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
103. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance to address a query in respect of stamp duty (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7057/24]
View answerSection 81AA of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 provides for a relief from stamp duty in respect of transfers of agricultural land to young trained farmers, where certain conditions are met.
The main conditions for the relief are that the individual acquiring the land (the “transferee”):
• is under 35 years of age on the date of execution of the deed of transfer of the land,
• holds a trained farmer qualification (as defined in section 654A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997),
• intends to spend not less than 50% of their normal working time farming the land for a period of not less than 5 years from the date the land is transferred, and
• retains ownership of the land for a period of at least 5 years from the date of the land is transferred.
As a general rule, the transferee must hold a trained farmer qualification on the date of execution of the deed of transfer of the land. However, I am informed by Revenue that a transferee who becomes the holder of a trained farmer qualification within 3 years after the date on which the deed transferring the land is executed will be entitled to a refund of the stamp duty paid on the transfer, provided all other qualifying conditions are met. The date a person becomes the holder of a qualification is the date of the award of the qualification.
The requirement that the transferee is under 35 years of age applies on the date of execution of the deed of transfer. Therefore, a transferee who is 35 years of age or more who becomes the holder of a trained farmer qualification within 3 years from the date on which the deed transferring the land is executed , will qualify for a refund of stamp duty under section 81AA provided all other conditions are met.
Further guidance on the operation of young trained farmer relief is available at: www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/stamp-duty/stamp-duty-manual/part-07-exemptions-and-reliefs-from-stamp-duty/section-81aa-transfers-of-land-to-young-trained-farmers.pdf.
