Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

89. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the reason driver instructors are still being refused access to shelter and toilet facilities in testing centres despite the phased relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions; when this policy will be changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28603/21]

Driver Test

Pearse Doherty

90. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if a driver test will be expedited for an essential worker (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28607/21]

Rail Network

Duncan Smith

91. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to ongoing issues in relation to the provision of toilet facilities at a train station (details supplied) in County Kildare; his plans to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28614/21]

Rail Network

Duncan Smith

92. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to ongoing issues in relation to the provision of toilet facilities at a train station (details supplied) in County Laois; his plans to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28615/21]

Rail Network

Duncan Smith

93. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to ongoing issues in relation to the provision of toilet facilities at a train station (details supplied) in County Kildare; his plans to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28616/21]

Road Network

Duncan Smith

94. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to transport difficulties for a town (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28617/21]

Cybersecurity Policy

Bernard Durkan

95. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to upgrade the IT system in his Department and bodies under his aegis with a view to maximising the protection against hackers. [28696/21]

Cybersecurity Policy

Bernard Durkan

96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport if additional security measures will be taken to impede and prevent the intrusion of hackers in his Department’s IT system and to ensure an early warning system is in place which will trigger an ultimate defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28714/21]

Driver Test

Paul McAuliffe

97. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport when driver theory tests will recommence; and his plans to deal with the backlog. [28757/21]

Driver Test

Gary Gannon

98. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport the date driver theory tests will resume; the number of applicants who are in the backlog; and if the online driver theory test (details supplied) will be used to address the backlog. [28780/21]

Driver Test

Gary Gannon

99. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport the status of an online driver theory test service (details supplied) being employed for all theory test types; and the future phrases of the roll-out schedule for 2021. [28781/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Darren O'Rourke

86. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has discussed the need to provide travel agents with continuing business supports with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given the ongoing challenges the sector is facing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27463/21]

Grant Payments

Darren O'Rourke

87. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the grant payment for taxi drivers that purchase an electric vehicle is made months after the purchase of same; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this imposes a financial barrier on this scheme for most drivers that cannot meet the total upfront cost and then wait for a grant refund; his plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27468/21]

Motor Industry

Darren O'Rourke

88. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that taxi drivers that install a taxi meter in a new vehicle void the warranty of that vehicle; his views on whether this is a serious issue for taxi drivers that purchase a vehicle that subsequently has mechanical issues but they are then not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27469/21]

Motor Industry

Darren O'Rourke

89. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the wheelchair accessibility of the taxi fleet; the impact this has on taxi drivers that purchase a non-wheelchair accessible taxi now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27470/21]

Bus Services

Noel Grealish

90. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to cuts to Bus Éireann routes 51 and 51x services in Galway and the impact this will have on staff and students at GMIT; if it will be ensured that these services are retained at the current level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27476/21]

Bus Services

Seán Sherlock

91. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter regarding a Bus Éireann route (details supplied). [27492/21]

Driver Test

Paul Murphy

92. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he considers the driver theory test centres to be essential services; and when the driver theory test centres will reopen. [27493/21]

Tax Collection

Niall Collins

93. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he will give consideration to removing the necessity for back taxing of vehicles particularly those in sectors which were affected by the Covid-19 restrictions and were unused during the period of lockdown. [27498/21]

Road Signage

Kieran O'Donnell

94. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Transport when the National Transport Authority plans to roll-out the new Transport for Ireland branded signage and updated timetables in all counties including Limerick and Tipperary given that Covid-19 restrictions are being eased (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27511/21]

Pension Provisions

Richard Boyd Barrett

95. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if retired members of the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme were afforded any consultation or right to vote on the proposals recently agreed; if we will agree to meet their representatives to discuss their concerns on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27525/21]

Pension Provisions

Richard Boyd Barrett

96. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if the 1951 pension scheme for CIÉ workers is in compliance with minimum funding standard rules; his plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss the crisis in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27526/21]

Rail Network

Steven Matthews

97. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the maintenance of the Wexford to Waterford railway line; if he plans to maintain the previous maintenance schedule that had been in place in recent years; if it will be ensured that this section is included in the strategic rail review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27573/21]

Pension Provisions

Ruairí Ó Murchú

98. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if he will seek assurances from the CIÉ group that it will not engage in discussions or make any changes to the pension 1951 scheme until the outcome of the High Court application made by the trustees of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27579/21]

Road Traffic Accidents

Neasa Hourigan

99. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce best practice reporting guidance for road collisions as recently adopted in the United Kingdom (details supplied). [27583/21]

Vehicle Testing

Mattie McGrath

100. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the numbers of NCT failures per test centre; the main reasons for failure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27588/21]

Pension Provisions

Bríd Smith

101. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the 1951 superannuation pension scheme for CIÉ workers is in compliance with minimum funding standard rules; if he plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss this crisis in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27589/21]

Pension Provisions

Bríd Smith

102. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ excluded the non-union members from a vote on LCR22297 when it confirmed that would not be the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27590/21]

Pension Provisions

Chris Andrews

103. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport if the 1951 superannuation pension scheme for CIÉ workers is in compliance with minimum funding standard rules; if he plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss this crisis in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27591/21]

Pension Provisions

Chris Andrews

104. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ excluded the non-union members from a vote on LCR22297 when it confirmed that would not be the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27592/21]

Pension Provisions

Gino Kenny

105. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the reason CIÉ states that the 1951 superannuation scheme is €800 million in debt when the trustees have confirmed it is 102% of the minimum funding standard. [27652/21]

Pension Provisions

Gino Kenny

106. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the reason that CIÉ has not used contingent assets to repair the deficit in the 1951 superannuation scheme balance sheet as per the 1994 agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27653/21]

State Bodies

Gino Kenny

107. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the reason that CIÉ’s property portfolio is only valued at €750 million or peppercorn value as per its 2019 financial statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27654/21]

Pension Provisions

Catherine Murphy

108. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to information that sets out that the 1951 superannuation pension scheme for CIÉ workers is compliant with minimum funding standard rules; his plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss issues surrounding the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27663/21]

Road Traffic Offences

Brendan Griffin

109. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 200 of 13 January 2021, if he will provide an update on the introduction of the speed limit appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27677/21]

Driver Test

Mattie McGrath

110. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the number of theory tests that have been carried out since March 2020; the level of payments made to a company (details supplied) for the operation of the theory test service since March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27699/21]

Driver Test

Mattie McGrath

111. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the number of candidates that took a driving test in both test centres in Clonmel, County Tipperary from January to April 2021; the pass rate in both centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27700/21]

Driver Test

Mattie McGrath

112. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the reason that theory tests cannot currently operate; the reason that theory tests are still being cancelled; if a company (details supplied) has carried out a risk assessment on all of the test centres which have sufficient social distancing and screening to allow tests to proceed; the efforts being made to immediately reduce the waiting lists for theory tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27701/21]

Driver Test

Éamon Ó Cuív

113. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if theory test centres are currently open; if the processing of the backlog of theory test application forms on hand has commenced; if so, the estimated time it will take to clear these backlogs; if not, when it is planned to open them and resume full service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27748/21]

Driver Test

Michael Lowry

114. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if additional measures will be implemented as a matter of urgency to deal with the major backlog in applicants awaiting theory tests; if he will take into account that the majority of non-essential businesses and services have reopened since 17 May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27753/21]

Road Safety

Catherine Murphy

115. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the status of the work carried out to date in respect of reducing speed limits within and surrounding residential housing estates (details supplied); the amount of funding in respect of 30km per hour speed limits his Department has provided since 2015 to date in 2021; and the breakdown of housing estates in County Kildare that have erected funded signage in their locality. [27771/21]

Road Safety

Catherine Murphy

116. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his plans to review further the impact that lower speed limits can have as part of a national roads policy in the context of carbon emissions and climate targets. [27772/21]

Driver Test

Thomas Pringle

117. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport if there is a date set for the resumption of driver theory tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27780/21]

Driver Licences

Louise O'Reilly

118. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the facilities that exist for driver licence renewal for persons that do not have the capabilities or facilities to renew online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27800/21]

Pension Provisions

Jim O'Callaghan

119. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if the 1951 superannuation pension scheme for CIÉ workers is in compliance with minimum funding standard rules; if he plans to meet with CIÉ representatives to discuss the crisis in relation to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27809/21]

Pension Provisions

Jim O'Callaghan

120. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the reason that CIÉ excluded the non-union members from a vote on LCR22297 when the company confirmed that would not be the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27810/21]

Bus Services

Pat Buckley

121. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport the rationale for the disparity between the fares charged to Bus Éireann passengers and Dublin Bus passengers, when taking into account journeys of the exact same distance. [27814/21]

Bus Services

Pat Buckley

122. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport the reason that the National Transport Authority has failed to use a radius method for the selection of fares that are being offered within Cork county instead of the chosen routes which would supply equality of access to fares and encourage greater use of public transport post-pandemic. [27815/21]

Bus Services

Pat Buckley

123. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport the status of the next stop audio project that the National Transport Authority undertook to deliver as part of the findings of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport report on the Accessibility of Public Transport Services for People with Disabilities which has yet to be delivered across Bus Éireann services. [27816/21]

Bus Services

Pat Buckley

124. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport the reason the National Transport Authority is instructing Bus Éireann to operate its new low floor coaches on specific routes, while not operating them in cases in which there is a known requirement. [27817/21]