Written Answers Nos. 413-429
413. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount that his Department has allocated to a scheme to encourage the use of electric vehicles among taxi drivers for 2018. [51003/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted to secure funding as part of Budget 2018 to support a range of low carbon transport options, including the transition of our SPSV (Taxi/Hackney/Limousine) sector to electric vehicles. This sector plays a vital role in championing the use of electric vehicles to members of the public, and in reducing harmful tailpipe emissions particularly across our urban areas.
€5.5m is allocated in 2018 and €29m from 2019-2021 for the Carbon Reduction Programme to fund measures to support decarbonising the transport sector.
A ‘Green Public Transport Fund’ will support use of low carbon technology in the public transport fleet e.g. emerging low emission technologies, particularly for buses. The fund will bridge the price differential between conventional and alternative fuelled vehicles and infrastructure.
Funding will also be targeted in support of the LEV Taskforce’s efforts to increase electric vehicle (EV) uptake e.g. encouraging the transition of the national taxi fleet to alternative technologies including the new EV Taxi Grant and introduction of a tolling incentive.
The electric SPSV grant scheme will be administered on behalf of the Department by the National Transport Authority (NTA). Opening to applicants from 01 February 2018, the electric SPSV grant scheme will be available nationwide and will offer a grant of up to €7,000 for the purchase of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and up to €3,500 for the purchase of a plug in hybrid vehicle (PHEV). Second hand electric vehicles will also be eligible for the scheme (at pro rata reduced grant rates) up to a maximum age of 6 years.
The scheme can be used in conjunction with an existing range of supports including the NTA WAV grant scheme in the case of an electric WAV; and the SEAI commercial grant scheme for new electric vehicles.
Further details of the electric SPSV grant scheme will be made available on the NTA website and SPSV industry newsletter.
414. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the process to introduce a maximum regulatory weight laden limit for five or more axle non articulated trucks; the information available to support the change; his plans to meet the key industry stakeholders before the change is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50730/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFive axle non-articulated trucks (rigids) are a relatively recent phenomenon on Irish roads. Across the EU there is no maximum weight 'norm' for such vehicles and a lacuna in Ireland's Construction and Use Regulations has meant that a maximum weight limit for such vehicles has hitherto remained unstipulated.
It is precisely to correct this regulatory anomaly that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), were tasked with analysing the pavement wear effects of this 39 tonne variant, as well as the associated vehicle standard related requirements attaching to the operation of 5 axle rigids in Ireland.
The results of TII's commissioned study concluded that, because of their shorter wheel base they impacted negatively on both our bridge infrastructure and pavements. In circumstances, where in real terms, road maintenance funding has been severely cut over successive years, it was therefore recommended that the maximum regulatory weight limit for such vehicles should be set at 36 tonnes and will come into effect on 1 January 2018.
The results of TII's study were presented to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry and other interested industry representative bodies.
A regulatory exemption, subject to certain technical requirements and manufacturer approval, will however apply to those rigids with five (or more) axles which are in service before 1 January 2018.
415. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be provided to Waterways Ireland or another relevant body to upgrade the footpath and provide lighting between Broombridge station and the new developments at Pelletstown in view of the fact that commuters face a dangerous journey between the two locations at present and the current situation will limit the number of persons using the new Luas service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50756/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, plans have been developed for a new train station at Pelletstown, approximately mid-way between Broombridge and Ashtown railway stations. As well as serving this area with a new train station, this facility also incorporates a pedestrian/cycle bridge over both the railway and the canal at this location. This will link with the canal towpath on the north side of the canal, allowing pedestrians to use the canal tow path to walk to Broombridge railway station/Luas stop, where there will be another pedestrian bridge spanning the canal and railway.
In relation to Pelletstown Station, planning permission is in place and work is currently on-going to complete a detailed design and prepare tender documents for the station's construction. This work is expected to be completed in the next two months and the National Transport Authority expect to be able to advise a firm timeline for the construction of this station very early next year.
416. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of delays for driving tests by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50779/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe average waiting times for driving tests at all centres are available on the Road Safety Authority (RSA) website at www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Test-Waiting-Times. The average waiting time is an average of current waiting times for applicants at each Test Centre. Applicants will have waiting times both longer and shorter than the average.
The RSA is currently undertaking initiatives in order to increase capacity to deliver extra driving tests. These initiatives include the recruitment of additional driver testers and the delivery of 120 extra overtime tests per driver tester who participates. Other measures include initiatives to reduce the number of applicant no-shows at the driving test, and to reduce the number of non-conducted driving tests. The Authority plans to introduce a new test booking system in 2018 that will give test applicants much more control over their booking and appointment choice.
The Authority is committed to working with any applicants that require an urgent appointment. A priority list system is in place whereby cancelled test appointments are made available for such applicants. Over 1,000 tests are cancelled by driving test applicants weekly and these slots are subsequently offered to applicants who require urgent test appointments.
While I accept that current waiting times remain too high, I am assured that the measures the RSA has put in place will have the desired effect of reducing waiting times to the public.
417. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration has been given by his Department to establish a mechanism by which emigrants may renew their driving licences whilst remaining resident abroad in view of the ongoing plight of the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50817/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law. Under EU law, Member States may issue driving licences only to those normally resident in their jurisdiction.
A person may remain 'normally resident' if they are out of the country for fixed-term contract of work or for a fixed period of study.
However, we cannot issue driving licences to people who have taken up residence abroad.
418. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to raise the awareness of safety for cyclists and proposals for the co-operative use of infrastructure by cyclists and vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50819/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the importance of safety for our cyclists and I am very conscious of the increase in cycling fatalities this year. My Department continues to work with and fund key stakeholders to address how road users behave on our roads in order to promote a safe and respectful approach from all users sharing the public road space.
The Road Safety Authority, which operates under the aegis of my Department, continues to do great work to get this important message across. The RSA’s ‘Cycle Smart, Cycle Safe’ campaign directly addressed safety issues for cyclists, including equipment check, Rules of the Road, sharing the road and proper signalling procedures. The RSA continually addresses road safety issues for all road users - including raising awareness of how other road users should interact safely with cyclists - and it actively engages with a variety of key stakeholders across a wide range of media.
Measures to ensure road safety in our communities include the Road Safety Act 2016 which created legislation to have a 20km/h speed limit, and I hope to see local authorities making use of this important new provision. In 2015 on-the-spot fines were introduced for several cycling offences, including cycling ‘without reasonable consideration’ and ‘cycling in a pedestrianised street or area’. My Department also funds Cycle Right and the Green Schools Travel programmes, which help provide quality cycle training for children.
I am also conscious of the key contribution that cycling can play as part of an integrated Public Transport strategy. Census 2016 recorded a steep rise in the numbers cycling to work. That growing trend will be catered for by providing a network of safe cycling facilities that will encourage increased numbers to adopt what is a convenient and healthy mode of transport. As traffic levels rise in urban areas, cycling will play an increasing role in alleviating congestion and contributing to economic success.
That can be supported by investment in high quality cycling infrastructure, and I am pleased to inform the Deputy that as part of Budget 2018 I have secured increased allocations for safe cycling infrastructure over the period 2018-2021. Over €110m will now be available specifically for the development of cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and Regional Cities over the next four years to provide safe alternative active travel routes to help alleviate congestion by providing viable alternatives and connectivity with existing public transport infrastructure. In addition, the considerable investment of about three-quarters of a billion euro for re-configuring the bus network and infrastructure over the coming years will also deliver the construction of significant new cycling facilities alongside bus routes on the key radial routes into the city centre and provide safe cycling arrangements, largely segregated from other traffic, along those corridors. Some of the €135m funding that will be provided to local authorities in the GDA and the Regional Cities for Sustainable Urban Transport will support better traffic management, bus priority measures and pedestrian infrastructure - which will benefit the safe and effective movement of all. Finally, in the area of Greenways, in the recent Budget there was more than a doubling of the investment available up to 2021, with a capital allocation now of over €55m to deliver Greenway projects. All of these investments will contribute to a considerable improvement in the cycling infrastructure available over the next few years.
419. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to improve a service (details supplied) in view of the number of complaints regarding this service and the inconvenience caused to persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50848/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann and 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
420. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of capital expenditure that his Department plans to invest into transport, tourism, and sport each year for the next four years, in tabular form. [51004/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFull details on the allocations for each of my Department's subheads for 2018 will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV). In the meantime my Department is in discussion with relevant agencies regarding the details of allocations. The Government has also proposed that a ten year national investment plan will be set out which will take account of the National Planning Framework. My Department will also take that into account when setting infrastructure investment priorities over the coming years.
On Thursday, 12 October, I outlined my view of what our current priorities for investment are to the Dáil and I have also published further details in a separate speech which is available at http://www.dttas.ie/speeches/2017/minister-ross-budget-2018-speech.
I would ask the Deputy to note that some of the information, he is seeking is detailed in chapter 18 of Expenditure Report 2018, which can be found at the following link: http://www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2018/Documents/Part%20II%20-%20Expenditure%20Allocations%202018-20.pdf.
421. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount that his Department will spend on cycleways in 2018. [51005/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that, as part of Budget 2018, I secured a significant increase in the level of Exchequer capital funding available for investment in cycling infrastructure over the period 2018-2021.
Capital investment of over €110m will develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area and Regional Cities over the next four years (2018-2021), €8m of which is allocated to 2018. This programme will provide safe alternative active travel routes to help alleviate congestion by providing viable alternatives and connectivity with existing public transport infrastructure.
My Department is also currently preparing a National Greenways Strategy, building on the success of facilities such as the Great Western Greenway and the Waterford Greenway. Budget 2018 saw an increase of €30 million in the allocation for Greenways bringing the total allocation for the development of Greenways for the period 2018-2021 to over €55 million, with €3.6m specifically allocated to 2018.
In addition to these cycling-specific investments, some other infrastructure investments over the new four years will provide enhancements that will benefit cyclists. The considerable investment of about three-quarters of a billion euro for re-configuring the bus network and infrastructure will also entail construction of significant new cycling facilities alongside bus routes on the key radial routes into the city centre and provide safe cycling arrangements, largely segregated from other traffic along those corridors. In addition, some of the €135m funding that will be provided to local authorities in the GDA and the Regional Cities for Sustainable Urban Transport will support better traffic management, bus priority measures and pedestrian infrastructure - which will benefit the safe and effective movement of all.
As part of an overall coordinated approach to the provision of an integrated sustainable transport network of cycling, walking and public transport, these various investments will allow us to further increase the numbers cycling, thereby easing congestion, improving public health and enhancing the liveability of our cities; the investment will, I believe, have a lasting transformative effect on our transport network over the coming years.
422. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount that his Department has spent on the local improvements scheme in each year since 2011; and the amount that will be allocated in 2018. [51006/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDue to the major cutbacks in roads funding resulting from the financial crisis it was necessary for my Department to cease making separate allocations to local authorities in respect of the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) in 2011. Since then local authorities have had the option of using a proportion of their Discretionary Grant for LIS should they wish to do so. The decision on whether to allocate funding for LIS and the management of the allocation process has been a matter for each local authority.
Minister Ring's Department is now taking the lead regarding the LIS having launched a scheme in September 2017 and I understand further funding will be allocated by that Department in 2018.
423. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of rail journeys that are initiated from park and ride stations each day. [51007/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra424. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passengers using park and ride facilities each day. [51008/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 424 together.
The collection and collation of transport statistics is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport operators and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
425. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated number of electric and hybrid vehicle registrations that will take place each year up to 2023, by vehicle type. [51010/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to facilitating the increased uptake of low emitting vehicles (LEVs). It is Ireland’s ambition that all new cars and vans sold in this country from 2030 will be zero emission (or zero emission-capable) and my Department’s long-term vision for the decarbonisation of the transport sector will encompass the electrification of the passenger car fleet.
In May of this year I published the National Policy Framework for Alternative Fuels Infrastructure for Transport in Ireland (NPF) (link is external). My Department, together with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE), developed the NPF to support the deployment of alternative fuels for transport in Ireland arising from obligations associated with Directive 2014/94/EU (link is external) and assist in removing any barriers that exist towards greater uptake of low emissions vehicles (LEVs). Included in this framework was an indicative forecast of the numbers of alternative fuelled vehicles that could be circulating at particular milestones up to 2030 based on a policy ambition that all new cars sold in Ireland post-2030 will be zero emissions or zero emissions capable. These are the published projections.
|
|
2015 |
2020 |
2025 |
2030 |
|
Electric passenger cars (BEVs and PHEVs) |
2020 |
20,000 |
250,000 |
800,000 |
|
Electric light duty vehicles |
152 |
5,000 |
12,500 |
23,000 |
|
Electric heavy duty vehicles |
4 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Electric diesel hybrid buses |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Full electric buses** |
0 |
5 |
100 |
450 |
|
Electric motorcycles |
171 |
250 |
1000 |
5000 |
426. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of PSO subvention that has been paid to Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Dublin Bus, and Luas since 2011, by year and company. [51011/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2010 however there is no PSO subvention paid directly by my Department to transport operators. The award and subvention of PSO contracts now falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has direct responsibility for this area and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's Question to the NTA for direct reply.
427. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount that has been allocated to the regional and local roads grants scheme for 2017 and 2018. [51013/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra439. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount allocated for the maintenance of local roads in 2017 and 2018. [51025/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra440. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount allocated for the maintenance of regional roads in 2017 and 2018. [51026/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 427, 439 and 440 together.
Each year the Department prepares and lodges in the Dáil Library regional and local road grant allocation and end of year payment booklets. Details of the regional and local road allocations for 2017 are, therefore, available in the Dáil Library. The total allocation for 2017 is €324.3 million.
The main grant schemes operated by the Department are focussed on specific policy objectives i.e. surface sealing to protect the road surface from water damage (Restoration Maintenance Grants), road strengthening based on pavement condition rating to lengthen the life of roads (Restoration Improvement Grants) and a Discretionary Grant Scheme which covers various activities including provision for winter maintenance. These three grant programmes account for most of the grant funding and are allocated based on the length of the road network in a particular local authority area. Local authorities can also apply each year for bridge rehabilitation grants based on condition ratings and for safety improvement schemes to address particular hazards.
In view of the fact that national roads and regional roads account for about 45% and 30% of overall road traffic respectively, the main requirement related to the Restoration Improvement and Maintenance Grants is that a minimum of 15% is expended on regional roads. Apart from that local authorities decide on allocations for regional and local roads.
As regards 2018, it is expected that the grant allocations will be announced in January.
428. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount that has been spent on the Metro north project to date in 2017. [51014/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra429. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of completing the Metro north project. [51015/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 429 together.
As the Deputy is aware, funding of over €700 million has been allocated under the Government’s present Capital Plan 2016-2021 for planning, design and construction of new Metro North. Funding in the initial years of the Capital Plan is for planning and design work with construction work commencing in 2021 and passenger services starting in 2027.
The estimated cost of completing the new Metro North project is €2.4 billion. The forthcoming ten-year National Investment Plan will include the funding for the period to complete this significant addition to public transport.
I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the National Transport Authority for information in relation to expenditure to date in 2017 on the Metro North project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
