Michael Creed
Question:192. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the proposals by his Department for a property (details supplied). [8040/24]
View answerRoad Projects
Questions (192)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
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.
Departmental Data
Questions (193, 194, 195, 200)
Thomas Gould
Question:193. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus drivers employed under the PSO Bus Éireann contract in Cork city in February 2010, February 2015, February 2022, February 2023 and currently in tabular form. [8045/24]
View answerThomas Gould
Question:194. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the number of drivers rostered on a daily basis as 'spare drivers' under the PSO contract in Cork city. [8046/24]
View answerThomas Gould
Question:195. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the number of cancellations of scheduled bus routes under the PSO contract in Cork city in each of the past six weeks. [8047/24]
View answerThomas Gould
Question:200. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the number of complaints received by Bus Éireann for issues not related to driver conduct in each of the past 12 months for services in Cork city. [8052/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 to 195, inclusive, and 200 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
As the issues raised by the Deputy are operational matters for Bus Éireann, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Question No. 194 answered with Question No. 193.
Question No. 195 answered with Question No. 193.
Bus Éireann
Questions (196)
Thomas Gould
Question:196. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the cost in fines issued to Bus Éireann by reason for fine for the PSO contract in Cork city in each of the past 12 months, in tabular form. [8048/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an issue for the NTA in conjunction with Bus Éireann. In light of this I have forwarded the Deputy's question on to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Bus Éireann
Questions (197)
Thomas Gould
Question:197. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the overall cost in fines paid by Bus Éireann by reason for fine for the PSO contract in Cork city in each of the past five years respectively, in tabular form. [8049/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an issue for the NTA in conjunction with Bus Éireann. In light of this I have forwarded the Deputy's question on to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Public Transport
Questions (198)
Thomas Gould
Question:198. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the protections he has put in place to prevent further privatisation of bus routes. [8050/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of those services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 it is a statutory function of the NTA to determine the appropriate mix of directly awarded and competitively tendered Public Service Obligation (PSO) bus services. The NTA has the legal power to decide on whether to extend competitive tendering. In this, it is subject to both national and EU legislation. Further, it is incorrect to describe competitive tendering as privatisation as nothing is being sold, services are not being deregulated and control remains with the NTA.
I have therefore referred 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.
Departmental Data
Questions (199)
Thomas Gould
Question:199. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport to outline each of the bus routes that was contracted to Bus Éireann previously but is now under a private commercial operator including year the contracted operator changed, in tabular form. [8051/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Question No. 200 answered with Question No. 193.
Bus Services
Questions (201)
Thomas Gould
Question:201. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the funding provided to Bus Éireann for the PSO bus route in Cork city, by year, in tabular form for each of the past five years. [8053/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an issue for the NTA in conjunction with Bus Éireann. In light of this I have forwarded the Deputy's question on to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Bus Services
Questions (202)
Thomas Gould
Question:202. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the last date a review was undertaken of the PSO process for bus routes. [8054/24]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (203)
Seán Canney
Question:203. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance when the new primary medical certificate criteria will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7417/24]
View answerWritten answers
The final report of the NDIS Transport Working Group's review of mobility and transport supports including the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS), endorsed proposals for a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme in line with international best practice that would replace the DDS, as it is no longer fit-for-purpose on any and all aspects. The proposals note this was a clear deliverable for the near future.
The NDIS TWG was chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte and led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies. Under the aegis of the Department of Taoiseach officials from relevant Departments and agencies are meeting to discuss the issues arising from the NDIS report and to map a way forward. My officials are proactively engaging with this Senior Officials Group work as an important step in considering ways to replace the DDS, as one specific personal transport response, in the context of broader Government consideration of holistic, multifaceted and integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability. Three meetings of the SOG have been held, in July, November and December 2023.
In that context, any further changes to the existing DDS would run counter to NDIS proposals to entirely replace the scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme.
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (204)
Seán Canney
Question:204. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he will facilitate appellants to the primary medical certificate decision by having the medical assessment appeals board disclose their qualifications to enable them sit on the appeals board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7418/24]
View answerWritten answers
Regulations 6 of SI 353 Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme 1994 requires that all members of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals (DDMBA) must be registered with the Medical Council, that is, must be medical professionals.
The Department of Health with support from Department of Finance officials set out essential and desired criteria for applicants, in Expressions of Interest campaigns to apply for DDMBA positions. Qualifications and experiences were included in these criteria. Candidates were assessed by a selection panel made of up Department of Health and Department of Finance officials, a HSE medical professional as well as an independent Chair.
Suitable candidates were then nominated by the Minister for Health and recommended to me for appointment, in line with legislative requirements. I appointed all five members as nominated by the Minister for Health. All members have also successfully completed Garda vetting.
I am satisfied that all members have the requisite expertise and experiences to perform the functions of the DDMBA in the appeals process.
Primary Medical Certificates
Questions (205)
Seán Canney
Question:205. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Finance if he will facilitate appellants by having the medical assessment appeals board on the primary medical certificate sit in locations around the country to allow easy access for people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7419/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on an adapted cars, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.
To qualify for the Scheme an applicant must be in possession of a Primary Medical Certificate (PMC). The PMC is issued by the relevant Senior Medical Officer in the HSE, or failing that an appeal may be made to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal. The Minister has no role in relation to the granting or refusal of PMCs and the HSE and the Medical Board of Appeal must be independent in their clinical determinations.
To qualify for a PMC an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled, and satisfy at least one of six medical criteria. These criteria are set out in the Finance Act, 2020.
In the event that a PMC is not granted by the relevant Principal Medical Officer an appeal may be made to the independent Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA).
At an appeal hearing the Board reviews the decision by a HSE Primary/Principal Medical Officer and determines if an appellant does, or does not meet, one of the six medical criteria. Only if an appellant meets one of the six eligibility criteria will the Board issue a Board Medical Certificate.
It is a legislative requirement that the Board is independent in their functions. It is a matter for the Board to determine all aspects of the management and delivery of the appeals process, including deciding if any locations outside of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire have the appropriate facilities and supports to enable the conduct of appeal hearings.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (206)
Brendan Griffin
Question:206. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance the amounts paid by the State to Irish banks in all Covid related supports from March 2020 to date; if a breakdown will be provided [7454/24]
View answerWritten answers
In responding to the Deputy, I would note that I can only answer in respect of the COVID-19 support schemes under my remit. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Revenue has operated a series of Government support schemes for businesses, employers and individuals. However, certain supports, such as the Tax Debt Warehousing scheme, did not entail making any payments to taxpayers.
I am advised by Revenue that they have published monthly detailed statistical reports on COVID-19 support schemes from April 2020 to June 2022 and that these can be accessed at Revenue’s website at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/number-of-taxpayers-and-returns/covid-19-support-schemes-statistics.aspx
Details of employers who received payments under the Employment Wage Subside Scheme (EWSS), the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Business Resumption Support Scheme (BRSS), and the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) have been published on the Revenue website.
Revenue have further advised me that no Irish banks are included in the subsidy recipients. However, for reasons of taxpayer confidentiality, had a bank received a payment under a scheme, Revenue would be precluded from disclosing details of any such payment.
The lists of actual recipients of payments under the COVID-19 Support schemes can be found at the following links:
• In respect of EWSS: www.revenue.ie/en/employing-people/employment-wage-subsidy/ewss/list-of-employers-who-received-payments-under-the-ewss.aspx
• In respect of CRSS: www.revenue.ie/en/self-assessment-and-self-employment/crss/list-of-businesses-received-payments-under-crss.aspx
• In respect of BRSS: www.revenue.ie/en/self-assessment-and-self-employment/brss/list-of-businesses-received-payments-under-brss.aspx
• In respect of TWSS: www.revenue.ie/en/employing-people/twss/list-of-employers/index.aspx