Written Answers Nos. 165-185
165. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he, in consultation with the relevant departments, will examine a financial incentive for drivers to buy a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in order to meet Ireland's obligation to move away from diesel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12222/24]
View answerThe current target under the Climate Action Plan is to have 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030 (i.e. 845,000 private EV target).
Fleet electrification is expected to continue to provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the short-to-medium term for the transport sector. Detailed modelling was undertaken to inform the Transport chapter of the Climate Action Plan 2023, which considered 2025 and 2030 scenarios as reference years, in accordance with the carbon budget programmes. Fleet forecasts have been estimated using the Irish Car Fleet Model that assesses the impact of new vehicle technologies on carbon emissions. The model predicts how the proportion of fuel types (petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric) within the fleet will change over time using observed vehicle registration and scrappage rates by age and fuel type.
The new EU Regulation on CO2 Emissions for Cars and Lights Vans, which was finalised in March 2023, is a crucial part of the Transport Sector’s transition to carbon neutrality. Emissions from road transport constitute the single largest portion of overall transport emissions and therefore tackling this is central to achieving our overall targets. The new Regulation accelerates the timeframes for zero emissions for cars and light vans, introducing 2035 as the year by which there must be 100% CO2 reduction in both new cars and vans. Ireland is among a number of more ambitious Member States that argued for more stringent targets, calling for the end to the ICE sales by 2030. However, in order to secure agreement amongst all Member States and with the European Parliament, the date of 2035 was agreed.
At the behest of Ireland and other ambitious Member States, the CION will present a proposal to allow those MSs that wish to do so to introduce more ambitious domestic targets than contained in the Reg, to allow them to set earlier dates for the ending of the supply of ICE vehicles. This is expected to be ready this year.
There are currently over 118,000 EVs registered on Irish roads (end February 2024). That number is expected to increase as the price of EVs continue to fall relative to their combustion engine equivalents. It is expected that as manufacturers increasingly ramp up EV production, upfront costs will become more comparable to traditional combustion engine cars within the next number of years. This will make total cost of ownership much more attractive and competitive, particularly given fuel prices trends. There is also far more choice available across all major car manufacturers and this is driving increased competition on price.
The Government has committed significant funding to support zero and low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund, the Shared Island Fund and the EU Just Transition Fund.
€115.8m has been allocated in 2024 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure.
This underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.
The purchase of PHEVs is no longer grant aided as funding has been rebalanced towards zero emission vehicles and associated infrastructure. Current financial supports from ZEVI, and where applicable with support from the Department of Finance, for the transition to electric vehicles and for the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure include:
• A purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) of up to €3,500;
• A Home Charger purchase grant scheme - up to €300;
• VRT relief of up to €5,000 for the purchase of BEVs;
• Benefit-in-Kind tax relief for battery electric vehicles;
• eSPSV grant scheme – a generous grant for taxi drivers to make the switch to Wheelchair Accessible EV’s of up to €25,000;
• ZEHDV grant scheme – a grant scheme for HDVs to bridge the gap between a low emission vehicle and a fossil fuel vehicle; and
• Low rate of annual motor tax;
These and related infrastructure supports will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and accessible rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.
166. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport when the draft national demand management strategy which was prepared in 2023 will be published; the other Government Departments and or Ministers that are involved in approving the strategy; if he intends to incorporate its recommendations into the 2024 Climate Action Plan that is currently under public consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12305/24]
View answerThe commitment to develop a National Demand Management Strategy for transport was included in the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23). In April 2023, Government noted the approach to developing the Strategy, which included the establishment of a cross-governmental Steering Group chaired by the Department of Transport. The first meeting of the Group took place in May 2023 and included the following members:
• The Department of Finance
• The Department of the Taoiseach
• The Department of Public Expenditure, Reform and NDP Delivery
• The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
• The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
• The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
• The Department of Education
• Representation from the Regional Assemblies
• Representation from the County and City Management Association (CCMA)
• National Transport Authority
• Transport Infrastructure Ireland
My Department also engaged extensively with a number of other departments including the Department of Health, the Department of Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Six expert subgroups of the Steering Group were also created to consider and recommend initiatives across key focus areas including (1) Integrated Land Use and Transport Planning; (2) Optimal Use of Space; (3) Fiscal Measures; (4) Generators of Demand - Movement of People; (5) Generators of Demand - Movement of Goods; (6) Captive Car Users. The latter was established to integrate the principle of Just Transition. These comprised stakeholders from Government departments and agencies, local authorities, industry, academia, and NGOs. Over 100 stakeholders, from 57 organisations, were involved in the work of these subgroups, spanning those areas most impacted by the Strategy
A draft Strategy has now been prepared and will be the subject of a public consultation and further stakeholder engagement, pending the approval of Government in the coming weeks. Following the conclusion of the consultation, the draft will be re-submitted to Government for final approval later in 2024. For this reason, it is not intended that the recommendations from the National Demand Management Strategy will be included in CAP24.
167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 6 March 2024, for a breakdown of the table provided to indicate the number of payments and amounts that were made in respect of exit, severance and redundancy; and whether any position categorised as redundant was refilled in any capacity. [12327/24]
View answerFollowing my 6 March reply to the Deputy in relation to Question No 52, PQ 11025/24, the information requested by the Deputy for daa plc, The Shannon Airport Group and Dublin Port Company for the period 2019 to date is outlined in tabular form below.
The Deputy may wish to note that the incorrect year for The Shannon Airport Group was included in my initial reply and should have been noted as ‘under the 2020 scheme’, rather than 2023.
|
AGENCY |
YEAR |
TYPE |
NUMBER |
AMOUNT |
|
daa |
2019, 2020* |
Voluntary Early Retirements |
97 |
€31.3m |
|
daa |
2019, 2020* |
Voluntary Severance Exits |
2 |
€0.4m |
|
daa |
2021 |
Voluntary Early Retirements |
51 |
€19.4m |
|
daa |
2021 |
Voluntary Severance Exits |
3 |
€0.7m |
|
daa |
2022 |
Voluntary Early Retirements |
13 |
€4.7m |
|
The Shannon Airport Group |
Under the 2020 scheme |
Voluntary Severance Scheme |
2 |
€0.498m |
|
Dublin Port Company |
2019, 2020* |
Voluntary Severance Program |
6 |
€1,504m |
|
Dublin Port Company |
2023 |
In 2023 two individuals exited under individual exit packages of which one was greater than €200k |
1 |
>€200k |
* Due to GDPR implications, my Department is unable to provide an individual breakdown of this information
In relation to whether any position categorised as redundant was refilled in any capacity, I can inform the Deputy that Dublin Port Company confirms, with the exception of one position which was refilled at a reduced cost, no positions categorised as redundant were refilled in any capacity.
In relation to the aviation sector, the context of the Covid 19 pandemic had an immediate and severe impact on global travel. It created an acute financial situation for our state airports, with a reduction in passengers in 2020 at Dublin and Cork Airports of 78%, and at Shannon Airport of 79%. It was in this context that daa and the Shannon Airport Group undertook significant organisational restructuring and streamlining of operations, seeking efficiencies and implementing cost saving measures. This included putting voluntary severance and voluntary early retirement schemes in place, to ensure company survival.
The lifting of the final COVID-19 travel restrictions in early 2022 resulted in passenger numbers rebounding considerably quicker than anticipated across the industry. Significantly higher than anticipated passenger numbers, particularly at Dublin Airport, meant that in some areas such as security, operations, retail and support functions, daa was required to resource up to meet this demand in 2022 and into 2023 to ensure requisite levels of connectivity were supported and maintained.
168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of exit and or severance and or redundancy packages granted by his Department, and bodies under his aegis and of bodies he funds in full or in part, of €100,000 and above but less that €200,000, by the amount and by each body in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024. [12360/24]
View answerThe only exit packages agreed by my Department under the terms of severance/redundancy schemes since 2019 were paid to Ministerial Personal Staff whose appointments were co-terminous with the relevant Minister/Minister of State. The calculation of severance payments to Ministerial Personal Staff were made in accordance with guidance issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. No exit or redundancy packages of €100,000 and above but less that €200,000 were granted by my Department in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024.
My Department currently has 19 agencies under its aegis, of which there are 12 commercial and 7 non-commercial agencies.
The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 outlines the disclosure requirements for inclusion within the agencies Annual Reports and Financial Statements. These disclosures include Termination/Severance Payments and Agreements which come to an aggregate value of €10,000 for each reporting period.
Information requested by the Deputy for the period 2019 to 2024 YTD is outlined in tabular form below.
In addition, four employees across three Transport agencies, CIE, CIL and RSA, availed of voluntary redundancy and severance schemes, however, the number of individuals involved means that a breakdown of this information cannot be provided as to do so would infringe on the right of the individuals under General Data Protection Regulations. The total cost of these 4 exits was €499,785.
|
Department of Transport agencies |
||||
|
Year |
Agency |
Number of Exit/Severance/ Redundancy packages paid to staff |
Total amount of each Package = or > €100k but less than €200k* |
Name of package |
|
2019, 2020, 2021* |
Bus Éireann |
5 |
€0.7m |
Severance and redundancies |
|
2019 |
Iarnród Éireann |
13 |
€1.56m |
Voluntary Severance |
|
2020, 2021, 2022, 2023* |
Iarnród Éireann |
5 |
€0.57m |
Voluntary Severance |
|
2019 |
Dublin Port Company |
8 |
€1.5m |
Voluntary Severance Programme |
|
2020 |
Dublin Port Company |
3 |
€0.4m |
Voluntary Severance Programme |
|
2021 |
Irish Aviation Authority |
6 |
€0.82m |
Voluntary Severance Scheme and Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme |
|
2019, 2020* |
daa |
101 |
€14.7m |
Voluntary Severance Scheme and Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme |
|
2021 |
daa |
32 |
€4.7m |
Voluntary Severance Scheme and Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme |
|
2022 |
daa |
10 |
€1.5m |
Voluntary Severance Scheme and Voluntary Early Retirement Scheme |
|
2019, 2020* |
The Shannon Airport Group |
27 |
€3.2m |
Voluntary Exit Scheme |
* As outlined above due to GDPR implications, my Department is unable to provide an individual breakdown of this information
169. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Bus Éireann regarding concerns about a bus route in Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12369/24]
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 this case Bus Éireann.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the NTA. Therefore, I have referred the question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
170. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport if a response will issue to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12385/24]
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.
171. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide funding for the pedestrian/cyclist facilities at River Fane bridge crossing in Inniskeen, County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12396/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area. I have therefore requested an update from the NTA in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy, who have advised the following:
Monaghan County Council appointed a consultant to look at options to provide a safe route for pedestrians crossing River Fane & passing under the Old Railway Bridge in Inniskeen Village.
An options report for the scheme was developed by the Consultant and issued to the NTA in late 2022. The preferred option identified in this report was the introduction of a shuttle, one way, system under the Old Railway Bridge & across the River Fane Bridge. Shuttle systems are in use in many similar locations around the country and provide an effective and efficient means of linking both sides of a bridge for those walking, cycling and wheeling.
The options report was developed in accordance with the Department of Transport's National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI). This Framework sets both a Modal Hierarchy and an Intervention Hierarchy, which the shuttle system meets.
The NTA, therefore, agree with the solution proposed by Monaghan County Council’s Consultant and as a result it is their view that the construction of a separate bridge would not be the optimum solution at this time.
172. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place to change licensing rules (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12442/24]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA), as providers of the National Driver Licence Service, and my Department have no plans to change the licensing rules regarding tractors. Category W will continue to be the licence category that covers work vehicles and land tractors.
The definition of “work vehicle” means a vehicle (other than a land tractor) which has a maximum design speed not exceeding 40 kilometres per hour and which is constructed primarily for any work other than the conveyance by road of good or burden of any other description. Road traffic laws and CPC requirements only apply on public roads (ie not on construction sites).
My Department and the RSA are aware that the EU’s Fourth Driving Licence Directive, which may be adopted by end 2024, may provide a revised definition of tractors. Once the Directive has been published, my Department and the RSA will consult with stakeholders in advance of the introduction of any relevant national regulations. Until the new EU Driving Licence Directive is approved and enacted, the existing approach to tractor licencing will continue. The RSA website has been updated to reflect this.
173. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the plans to deal with the provision of increased public transport in Dublin 8, particularly around Kilmainham-Inchicore which suffers from severe traffic congestion and proposed large housing developments which will bring additional demand to the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12464/24]
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.
174. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport whether he has considered the proposal of a working group being established to look into a vehicle being fitted with a breathalyser, whereby the driver must obtain a negative test prior to the engine starting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12470/24]
View answerIn line with commitments set out under the current Government Road Safety Strategy, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) assembled an expert working group in 2023 to examine and make recommendations for the implementation of an alcohol interlock programme, supported by a drink drive rehabilitation course in Ireland, for high-risk drink drive offenders. The work of this group is currently in progress and I understand recommendations may be ready for consideration in the coming weeks.
175. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he met the Brazilian President during his recent visit to Brazil for St. Patrick's Day events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12571/24]
View answerI visited Brazil between Monday 11th - Monday 18th of March 2024. During this visit I did not meet with the President of Brazil.
176. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the value of performance related penalties issued to each public transport provider by the NTA in 2023 and for the first two months of 2024, in tabular form. [12602/24]
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 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.
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.
177. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport in relation to a recent reply to correspondence from a person with a disability (details supplied), where the NTA confirmed that 42,000 booked a seat on Irish Rail and that a charge exists to book a seat to mitigate against some customer behaviours that impact everyone; how much were the 42,000 disabled customers charged in fees; exactly how many incidents are there of those with disabilities 'behaviour's impacting other customers; and is he aware that the use of data collected using the public services card free travel pass in the manner described by the NTA is not the purpose for which this data was collected in the first instance. [12617/24]
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, in this case Irish Rail.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the fees charged and the number of incidences that occurred are 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 replies within ten working days.
178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if the contract with the service provider of the National Car Testing Service contains any performance related or penalty clauses for lengthy delays. [12631/24]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. As Minister, I have no function in respect of operational matters, including the award of contracts for provision of the NCTS.
However, I am given to understand by the Road Safety Authority that a key performance indicator (KPI) for provision of tests within a national average of 12 days is in place and that contract mechanisms apply where service levels have not been met.
I have referred the Deputy's queries on these matters to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
179. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport whether he has monitored the progress made under the actions specified in the National Positive Ageing Strategy 2013 and published annual progress reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12647/24]
View answerMy Department's Public Transport Accessibility Work Programme contains actions from a range of strategies, including the National Positive Ageing Strategy, which assist in progressively making public transport more accessible for disabled people, persons with disabilities, persons with reduced mobility and older people.
Since 2019, my Department has published an 'End of Year Statement' which summaries progress on an annual basis to make public transport more accessible, in line with relevant national and international policies and strategies, including action 1.5 of the National Positive Ageing Strategy. Previous End of Year Statements can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/ed138c-work-programme/
The 'End of Year statement for 2023' will be published shortly at the same location.
180. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that the language within the driver theory test is simplified into plain English to make it more accessible for those with literacy or learning difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12672/24]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, which includes the operation of the Theory Test. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
Pending this more detailed response, I am informed that the Driver Theory Test provider offers various options to accommodate candidates who may require special assistance to take their test.
For instance, they offer a voiceover option whereby the questions and answers are read out to the candidate over headphones. Additional time is also allowed for the candidate to take the test. There is also a reader recorder service whereby a staff member will read the questions and answer options to the candidate and record their answers on screen. Other services offered include dyslexia support, professional and Irish Sign Language (ISL) video clips, or ISL interpreters.
181. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider requesting that the TII designate the 53km Shannon Erne Connectivity route as a proposed national strategic greenway (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12679/24]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Greenways. Funding is administered through the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.Noting the role of the TII in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
182. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12730/24]
View answerDetails of NGOs funded by The Department of Transport and the amounts provided in the last three years are presented in the table below:
|
Non-Governmental Organisations |
2021 (€)
|
2022 (€) |
2023 (€) |
|
An Taisce (funded through NTA) - relates to Green Schools Travel and Safe Routes to School Programme |
3,360,226 |
5,248,789 |
4,886,524 |
|
Mountain Rescue/Community Rescue Boats Maintenance Grants |
|||
|
Donegal Mountain Rescue |
22,210 |
22,210 |
22,210 |
|
Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue |
32,155 |
32,155 |
32,155 |
|
Galway Mountain Rescue |
18,130 |
18,130 |
18,130 |
|
Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue |
32,410 |
32,410 |
32,410 |
|
Irish Cave Rescue Organisation |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
|
Kerry Mountain Rescue |
21,700 |
21,700 |
21,700 |
|
Mayo Mountain Rescue |
25,525 |
25,525 |
25,525 |
|
Search and Rescue Dog Association |
19,405 |
19,405 |
19,405 |
|
Sligo 7 Leitrim Mountain Rescue |
17,620 |
17,620 |
17,620 |
|
South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association |
20,935 |
20,935 |
20,935 |
|
Mountain Rescue Ireland |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
|
Mountain Rescue Ireland (Development grant) |
60,000 |
60,000 |
6,0000 |
|
Ballinskelligs Inshore Rescue |
5,075 |
5,075 |
5,075 |
|
Ballybunion Sea Rescue |
5,075 |
5,075 |
5,075 |
|
Banna Rescue |
5,075 |
5,075 |
5,075 |
|
Bantry Inshore Search and Rescue |
5,075 |
5,075 |
5,075 |
|
Bonmahon Community Rescue Boats |
5,075 |
5,075 |
5,075 |
|
Cahore Inshore Search and Rescue |
5075 |
5,075 |
5,075 |
|
Corrib Mask Search and Rescue |
5,075 |
5,075 |
5,075 |
|
Derrynane Inshore Rescue |
5,075 |
5,075 |
5,075 |
|
Limerick Marine Search and Rescue |
5,075 |
5,075 |
5,075 |
|
Tramore Sea Rescue Association |
5,075 |
5,075 |
5,075 |
|
Waterford City River Rescue |
5,075 |
5,075 |
5,075 |
|
Total |
3,726,141 |
5,614,704 |
5,252,439 |
183. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings that he or officials from his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have had with an organisation (details supplied), including its representatives, from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12750/24]
View answerI attended the National Women's Council of Ireland "Feminist Communities for Climate Justice" project launch on 14 September 2023, which was hosted with their project partners Community Work Ireland.
The National Women's Council of Ireland has participated in webinars organised by other Departments, which were open to officials of my Department to attend, for example on Positive Gender Norms in Ireland, in 2022.
As part of the Deputy’s question relates to bodies under the aegis of my Department, I have referred this question to the relevant agencies for direct reply. If the Deputy does not receive a response within ten working days please contact my Private Office.
184. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport with regard to recently announced changes to licensing categories, if he will review the change to category W licences, given the challenges it would present to farmers and agricultural contractors who also utilise non-farm vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12757/24]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) and my Department have no plans to change the licensing rules regarding tractors. Category W will continue to be the licence category that covers work vehicles and land tractors.
The definition of “work vehicle” means a vehicle (other than a land tractor) which has a maximum design speed not exceeding 40 kilometres per hour and which is constructed primarily for any work other than the conveyance by road of good or burden of any other description. Road traffic laws and CPC requirements only apply on public roads, not on construction sites.
My Department and the RSA are aware that the EU’s Fourth Driving Licence Directive, which may be adopted by end 2024, could provide a revised definition of tractors. Once the Directive has been published, my Department and the RSA will consult with stakeholders in advance of the introduction of any relevant national regulations. Until the new EU Driving Licence Directive is approved and enacted, the existing approach to tractor licencing will continue. The RSA website has been updated to reflect this.
185. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to improve the intercity rail serving Gorey and by extension Wexford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12770/24]
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, in this case Irish Rail.The issues raised by the Deputy are 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 replies within ten working days.
