Written Answers Nos. 201-218
201. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the position in relation to insurance for motorsport activities indemnifying the relevant local authority; the amount of public liability cover required which satisfies the requirements of the Motor Insurance Directive, (EU) 2021/2118; the Governments position on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16147/24]
View answerThe Motor Insurance Directive (EU) 2021/2118 was transposed into national legislation by the European Union (Motor Insurance) Regulations 2023 (SI 643 of 2023).
Motorsports events and activities are exempted from the requirements of the Directive. Regulation 3(14) of the 2023 inserts a new section 81A in the Road Traffic Act, 1961, setting out that motorsports events and activities are exempted from motor insurance requirements, provided the local authority ensures that the organisers have sufficient public liability insurance in place. As there is no limit to personal injury awards, the amount required may vary from local authority to local authority.
202. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the number of privately owned motor vehicles which were registered within the State in each year from 2006 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16208/24]
View answerVehicle registration is a matter for Revenue. However, for the Deputy's information, the table below provides a breakdown of the total private licensed car fleet from 2016 -2024. The 2024 figures are as of 31 March 2024. These figures represent the number of vehicles where there was a current payment of Motor Tax on record as of the 31 December in each year 2006-2023 and as of 31 March 2024 for 2024 figures, regardless of year of registration.
|
Year |
Number Of Vehicles |
|
2006 |
1,778,861 |
|
2007 |
1,882,901 |
|
2008 |
1,924,281 |
|
2009 |
1,902,429 |
|
2010 |
1,872,715 |
|
2011 |
1,887,810 |
|
2012 |
1,882,550 |
|
2013 |
1,910,165 |
|
2014 |
1,943,868 |
|
2015 |
1,985,130 |
|
2016 |
2,026,977 |
|
2017 |
2,066,112 |
|
2018 |
2,106,369 |
|
2019 |
2,174,779 |
|
2020 |
2,215,127 |
|
2021 |
2,232,174 |
|
2022 |
2,255,971 |
|
2023 |
2,322,875 |
|
2024 |
2,362,202 |
203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a section of road (details supplied) will be examined and a solution found to rectify the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16235/24]
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 Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the current status of the Connemara Greenway project; the next steps in relation to this; and the estimated timeline of is construction. [16261/24]
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.
205. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the railway safety amendment Bill; and when this Bill will move to the next stage. [16274/24]
View answerThe Railway Safety (Amendment) Bill is included in the Spring 2024 Legislative Programme as a Bill for priority drafting. The Office of Parliamentary Council is currently engaged in the formal drafting of the Bill and the Bill will move to the next stage as soon as possible.
206. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide local authorities capital active travel budgets in order to provide certainty in the context of planning and delivering active travel projects; and if he will develop an active travel maintenance budget for implemented active travel infrastructures. [16313/24]
View answerThe Programme for Government committed to earmarking around €360 million in cross-Government funding for walking and cycling per annum over the lifetime of the Government. The majority of this funding comes through my Department, which provides funding to the National Transport Authority's (NTA's) Active Travel Programme and Transport Infrastructure Ireland's (TII's) Greenways Programme.
While Departmental allocations are subject to the annual budgetary process and are decided on a year-to-year basis, the earmarked funding under the Programme for Government has allowed funding to the NTA's Active Travel Programme to remain static at around €290 million for the past three years.
As 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 NTA who are responsible for overseeing the delivery of both new projects and upgrading of existing infrastructure, therefore year-to-year allocations to local authorities are a matter for the NTA rather than the Department of Transport.
While the provision of new infrastructure is a priority in order to encourage modal shift away from private car use and towards active travel, it is essential that such infrastructure is maintained to a level where it is both attractive and, most importantly, safe to use.
While funding for the maintenance of active travel infrastructure, which is a current funding stream, was not secured in Budget 2024 due to a high level of competing demands both within my Department and across Government, my officials will continue to seek funding as part of the annual estimates process.
207. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if Transport Infrastructure Ireland plans to continue with its policy of removing lighting on motorways and dual carriageways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16385/24]
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.
208. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of establishing a public bike scheme in County Tipperary consisting of eight bike stations and 64 bikes. [16409/24]
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, including the public bike schemes.
Therefore, matters related to the management or expansion of public bike schemes is a matter for relevant local authorities, in conjunction with the NTA.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
209. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent on the recent upgrade of the road surface along the Stillorgan road and N11. [16483/24]
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.
210. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport what publicity there has been around the temporary closure of the DART line; and what advance plans are already known for future works over the next 12 months, two years and five years. [16484/24]
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 in relation to temporary closures and future works are matters for Irish Rail, in conjunction with the NTA. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail and the NTA for direct response to the Deputy.
211. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland has published proposals for a regional and local EV charging network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16592/24]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
The EV Charging infrastructure Strategy 2022-2025 sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade. Arising from this strategy, the National En-Route EV Charging Network Plan, due to be published in May 2024, makes provision for banks of EV chargers every 60 KM on the TEN-T motorway and national primary road network – which will support the connectivity of remote areas. This plan also includes provision of high-power charge points every 30KM on the national secondary roads by 2025.
In addition, ZEVI is currently finalising the Regional and Local EV infrastructure Network Plan. This plan will provide a pathway for the accelerated delivery of regional and local networks of public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at destination and neighbourhood areas, in line with both national and European ambitions for cleaner transportation. This plan ensures a cohesive and standardised approach. It will be led by local authorities, working together to develop regional strategies, promoting a unified and efficient roll-out of charging infrastructure, facilitating nationwide integration of EVs. The plan will be published for public consultation in May 2024.
212. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the extension of the Luas to Finglas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16599/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2022-2042 was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in January 2023, following my approval. The strategy sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a twenty-year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA.
Implementation of the strategy has been divided into three phases – short-term up to 2030 to align with the National Development Plan, medium-term from 2031 to 2036, and longer-term from 2037 to 2042. The development of a Luas line serving Finglas is part of the strategy’s medium-term proposals for development and delivery within the 2031-2036 timeframe as part of a number of proposed Luas network extensions for the period up to 2042.
The preliminary business case for the Luas Finglas project has been submitted to my Department by the NTA and will soon be brought to Government for its consent in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines. This will enable the project to enter the statutory planning process through the submission of a Railway Order Application to An Bord Pleanála. The precise start date for construction of the Finglas project will depend on a number of factors, including a decision in relation to the planning application.
213. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport if plans are in place or in the pipeline to link up the villages in Gweedore and the lower Rosses to the rest of southwest Donegal by greenways or foot/cycle paths during his term in this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16733/24]
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.
214. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Finance if the exclusion of persons with single upper-limb amputations from eligibility for primary medical certificate is contrary to Articles 4 and 20 of the UNCRPD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16294/24]
View answerThe Deputy should note that whilst I have oversight of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, I do not have responsibility for disability policy and therefore cannot give a view on Articles 4 and 20 of the UNCRPD.
You should be aware however that both my Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) is no longer fit-for-purpose. Consequently, consideration is being given to replacing the DDS. However this will be a matter for Government to decide upon.
The final report of the National Disability & Inclusion Strategy Transport Working Group's review of mobility and transport supports including the DDS, endorsed proposals for a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme in line with international best practice that would replace the DDS.
The Working Group 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.
Department of Finance officials are proactively engaging with this Senior Officials Group's 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. Four meetings of the group have been held, in July, November, December 2023; and March 2024.
The Department of Finance submitted a note to the group with my approval in mid-January 2024. This note outlines a proposal for a replacement scheme for the DDS which would be a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual. This proposal is in line with what the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Transport Working Group Report endorsed. Further consideration is being given to the principles and parameters for a new scheme in line with best international practice.
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.
It also important to note that I have 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.
215. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Finance the basis upon which he chose to divest from some but not other companies which operate within illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16058/24]
View answerThe Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) as part of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) has statutory independence in the management of its investment portfolio.
On Thursday, 4th April I was advised by the NTMA that it has decided to divest from certain ISIF global portfolio investments in companies that have certain activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
ISIF is to divest from six of these companies with a total value of approximately €2.95m. The six companies are Bank Hapoalim BM; Bank Leumi-le Israel BM; Israel Discount Bank Ltd; Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd; First International Bank Ltd and Rami Levi Chain Stores Ltd.
ISIF has determined that the risk profile of these investments is no longer within its investment parameters and that the commercial objectives of these investments can be achieved via other investments.
The decision will be implemented as soon as possible over the coming weeks.
I am advised ISIF will keep under review the alignment of relevant investments within its investment parameters and commercial objectives.
216. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Finance whether the €14,000 limit refers to renting to one student only, or if it is permissible to rent several rooms to several students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16061/24]
View answer217. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Finance whether a parent who is paying for student digs and wants to claim the new €750 rent credit on their tax return can claim for this even when the accommodation owner refuses to give receipts; if landlords are obliged to give receipts; whether the rent-a-room scheme only applies to students; if a homeowner can keep a working person instead of a student and still earn up to €14,000 p.a., tax-free; whether he/she can keep both a student and a worker under the rent-a-room scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16062/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.
The rent-a-room relief is provided for in section 216A Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA). It provides that, where an individual rents a room or rooms in his or her home as residential accommodation, he or she is treated, for income tax purposes, as not having any income from the letting where the gross rent received (including sums for food, laundry or similar goods and services), does not exceed €14,000.
If the gross rent received from letting a room or rooms exceeds €14,000 in a tax year, rent-a-room relief is not available, and the gross rent received is taxable in full. There is no limit to the number of rooms let, only the amount of gross rent received.
The relief does not require that the tenant is a student; qualifying claimants can rent out rooms to students and non-students alike.
The Rent Tax Credit, as provided for in section 473B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997), was introduced by the Finance Act 2022 and may be claimed in respect of qualifying rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025.
In Finance Act 2023, the eligibility of the credit was extended to parents who pay for their student children’s rental accommodation in the case of rent-a-room accommodation or “digs”. This amendment will applies to the years of assessment 2024 and 2025 and retrospectively to the years of assessment 2022 and 2023.
Finally, in circumstances where receipts in respect of a rent-a-room tenancy are not available, an individual can still claim the Rent Tax Credit and should be in a position to provide as much information as possible to Revenue about their rental arrangement when making a claim.
Further information on the rent-a-room relief and the Rent Tax Credit and what is required to claim can be found on the Revenue website at:
www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/land-and-property/rent-credit/how-to-claim.aspx.
www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/land-and-property/rent-a-room-relief/index.aspx.
218. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 7 December 2023, if any further consideration has been given to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16070/24]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that the situation has not changed in regards to the Help to Buy application in question no. 183 of 7 December 2023.
In relation to the Deputy's query about the of lowering the LTV ratio for the Help to Buy Scheme, the position also remains as set out in my answer to Parliamentary Question no. 183 of 7 December 2023 and I have no plans to change the LTV ratio as proposed.
Notwithstanding this, it should also be noted that decisions regarding taxation measures are usually made in the context of the annual Budget and Finance Bill process and at the appropriate time. Such decisions also must have regard to the sound management of the public finances and my Department's Tax Expenditure Guidelines.
I will continue to work with my cabinet colleagues to ensure that any further interventions in the housing market are appropriately calibrated, represent the best use of scarce public resources and boost the supply of housing in both the public and private sectors.
