Thursday, 12 Nov 2020

Written Answers Nos. 75-92

Bus Éireann

Ceisteanna (75)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

75. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the criteria which are applied to adding bus stops to Bus Éireann routes in rural areas. [35803/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Question No. 76 answered with Question No. 16.

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (77)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

77. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has carried out a study on the environmental benefits of a Dublin-Navan rail line. [34742/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy may be aware, the issue of a potential extension of the existing Dunboyne/M3 Parkway line to Navan was considered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) during its development of the statutory Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035.

While the analysis conducted at the time of the development of the original Strategy concluded that the level of travel demand between Navan, Dunshaughlin and various stations to Dublin city centre was insufficient to justify the development of a high-capacity rail link at that time, the Strategy clearly states that the issue of a rail link to Navan should be kept under review, taking into account the scale of new and planned development along the route.

In line with its statutory obligations the NTA has commenced preparatory work on a review of the Transport Strategy and that review will include consideration of a possible future rail service to Navan. The review will include a comprehensive analysis of changes to population projections, development density, employment forecasts and future travel demand patterns since the finalisation of the current Strategy.

The review will be subject to a full public consultation, including the publication of all background reports and feasibility studies and that public consultation will take place next year.

Bus Services

Ceisteanna (78)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

78. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans for the LocalLink service to be expanded in areas in which the need is there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34165/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the Local Link brand.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Transport Policy

Ceisteanna (79)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

79. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the specific funding measures in place to assist persons with disabilities in accessing local and public services under the programme for Government commitment for promoting active travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35656/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I thank the Deputy for raising this important point.

As the Deputy has noted the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future emphasises the importance of promoting active travel and commits toward significant increases in funding to deliver improved infrastructure in that regard.

Importantly, and as noted in my Department's recent paper on Active Travel, published as part of our review of Sustainable Mobility policy, "improved active travel infrastructure (e.g. high quality footpaths) can also increase accessibility for people with mobility impairments or disabilities".

Already as part of this year's July Stimulus, funding made available to support local authorities included projects dedicated to improving accessibility of town and village centres across the country for persons of all ages and all abilities. It is certainly my intention to continue supporting these type of projects in the years ahead, while local authorities must also adhere to the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets and its prioritisation of the principles of universal design generally when designing and implementing new infrastructure.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (80)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

80. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the excessive cost incurred by those learning to drive; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35496/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I appreciate that there are costs involved in the process of learning to drive and obtaining a driving licence, most specifically in respect of insurance, test charges, and lesson fees. I believe, however, that these costs are not particularly high when measured against the cost of running a car in the long term. Nor is the cost of taking the driving test itself unreasonable when held against the considerable cost to the authorities concerned to provide the service.

As Minister for Transport I have no direct control over the fees charged by individual driving schools and instructors. Driving schools are private businesses and neither my Department nor the Road Safety Authority can dictate to driving schools on how they should run their business or set their fees.

Insurance companies are also private companies who enter into private contracts with their customers and I remind the Deputy that EU rules specifically prohibit member states from interfering in the terms and conditions offered by these companies. I understand that insurance companies use more than 50 criteria to price a policy, but different companies apply different weightings to the various criteria. I would encourage learner drivers to shop around to get the best deal for their particular circumstances. It has been brought to my attention, for example, that at least one insurance company offers learners a package of 6 months car insurance plus the 12 required lessons under a single price.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (81)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

81. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the engagements he has held with travel agents and bus and coach operators to date to discuss State support for their severely impacted sectors; if he has engaged with his colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, on extending access to existing supports such as the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, to those sectors that fall under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35767/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I want to reassure the Deputy that both the National Transport Authority (NTA) and my Department have been engaging directly with commercial bus operators throughout the crisis to help inform policy decisions in relation to the public transport sector as we continue to deal with the impact of Covid-19.

Public transport is a key facilitator of interaction in the economy and society. It is an efficient and sustainable way of getting people to work, education, shopping and other social engagements. The essential nature of these services has been acknowledged a number of times by the Government in recent months, most notably in the decision to provide additional funding for public service obligation, PSO, services and the introduction of temporary funding measures for the licensed bus sector.

These temporary funding supports have been introduced to help ease the financial pressure on operators arising from the fall in passenger numbers and associated drop in fare revenue as a result of Covid-19. They are aimed at ensuring the continued operation of essential licensed bus services for a period of up to six months and are targeted at covering the gap between specified costs and the revenues generated on the services. The supports are targeted at those classes of bus services where a clear public interest justification supports such intervention, in line with relevant State aid considerations. The NTA, as the public transport licensing agency, is responsible for administering the funding support through contracts with the relevant operators.

These supports are in addition to the suite of other financial support measures that the Government has introduced to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19, including the pandemic unemployment payment which operators can avail of and which remains open to new applicants until the end of the year and a Covid-19 enterprise support grant which can be put towards the costs associated with reopening a business, including the purchase of cleaning materials and personal protective equipment.

These measures are in addition to rates waivers, lending facilities, equity injection and business advisory supports, all of which will help to improve cash flow. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has also set up on online tool to help support Irish start-ups and SMEs to navigate the range of Government supports and identify which support may be most relevant to their business.

Fáilte Ireland has also been tasked with developing a Business Continuity Scheme to help coach tourism businesses through this very difficult period. This scheme, which has been allocated €10m in funding as part of the July stimulus package, is under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin.

I am aware of the very difficult business environment that the commercial operators have been facing. Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the Covid-19 situation presents huge challenges for many business sectors. Indeed, the travel trade has not been able to reclaim any meaningful level of lost trade over the past 6 months. My colleague Minister of State Naughton met with the travel trade industry as represented by the Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) and our Department has maintained contact with the ITAA throughout this crisis.

I understand that, under current Level 5 Covid restrictions, travel agents and tour operators operating from business premises that customers are prohibited or significantly restricted from accessing may be eligible for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). This scheme is designed to assist those businesses whose trade has been significantly impacted or temporarily closed as a result of the restrictions as set out in the government’s ‘Living with COVID-19’ Plan. Detailed guidance on this scheme (which is under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe) is available at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/2021/crss-guidelines.pdf.

Taken together with the various supports made available by Government for SMEs, I would be hopeful that these various measures will help safeguard the travel trade sector throughout the difficult months ahead so that it will be ready to trade fully again when circumstances permit.

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (82)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

82. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if the morning train timetable from Dublin to Cork will be reviewed in view of the fact that the first train in the morning does not arrive in Cork until approximately 9.30 am, which is of little use to those commuting for work or education purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35527/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the 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 issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Iarnród 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 51

Strategic Infrastructure Provision

Ceisteanna (83)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

83. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the detail of the funding component to be provided by his Department towards the development of the north quays strategic development zone, SDZ, in Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35526/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I very much welcome the announcement this week of Government's funding for infrastructure improvements to support the North Quays Strategic Development Zone and believe it demonstrates Government's collective intent for the development of all our regional cities.

I was particularly pleased to see the funding made available under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund was complemented by €30m of funding made available by my Department through the National Transport Authority.

The majority of my Department's funding will go toward the new sustainable transport bridge linking the North and South Quays and which will ultimately act as a link between the extended Waterford Greenway and the new Waterford to New Ross Greenway, both of which are also being funded by my Department's sustainable mobility investment programme. A smaller element of the funding is being used to support sustainable mobility measures along the Dock Road and the Abbey Road.

My Department is also funding the development by the NTA, in co-operation with the local authority, of a new Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy which will set out a framework for how transport in the city will develop over the next 20 years. I have no doubt that at the heart of that transport strategy will be ambitious plans for much improved active travel infrastructure across the city, making it easier and safer than ever to walk and cycle across the city. I also expect the new Strategy will look to complement the development of the new integrated transport hub at the North Quays, as to be funded by the URDF, and build on the investments made in the city's public transport last year with the overhaul of the city’s bus network and introduction of new bus fleet.

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Ceisteanna (84)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the status of the roll-out of park-and-ride facilities for Galway city; the number and locations of all sites identified to date from which to operate park-and-ride; the engagement he has had with Galway City Council on the issue; the engagement he has had with the park-and-ride development office on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35762/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of park and ride facilities.

During the summer I met with Galway City Council to discuss the July Stimulus funding and the roll-out of new and improved active travel infrastructure. Since then I have met with members of both the Galway City Council and Galway County Council Transport Strategic Policy Committees to discuss the progress of the Galway Transport Strategy including the provision of strategic park and ride facilities.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Question No. 85 answered with Question No. 28.

Action Plan for Rural Development

Ceisteanna (86)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

86. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the proposals his Department is working on in conjunction with the NTA on the Action Plan for Rural Development to work with rural communities to assess and implement improvements to existing rural transport routes and develop new rural transport routes as necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35791/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the Local Link brand.

From a policy perspective, my Department has been undertaking a review of sustainable mobility policy, which incorporates public transport and active travel and includes the rural transport dimension as provided for in Action 251 of the Action Plan for Rural Development (APRD). In this context the Department held a public consultation process between November 2019 and February 2020, and included a stakeholder event in the course of that consultation. Over 250 submissions were received as part of this public consultation process and I published a report of the public consultation last week.

I intend to develop a new policy framework for the next 10 years that can provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government across the sustainable mobility programme. The new policy statement will be informed by the review of the previous policy framework (known as Smarter Travel), submissions received during my Department's consultation process and the views and recommendations of other relevant stakeholders. It will provide a platform to advance the ambitions of the Programme for Government in the area of sustainable mobility and will replace the previous Smarter Travel policy, dating from 2009.

Our Programme for Government commitments in relation to public transport in rural areas will be progressed in the context of that new policy statement. Among the measures we will prioritise is a Sustainable Rural Mobility Plan to ensure settlements over a certain size can connect to the national public transport system, expanding the Local Link rural transport service and prioritising public transport projects that enhance regional and rural connectivity.

In relation to Action 252 of the APRD which commits to working with rural communities to assess and implement improvements to existing rural transport routes and develop new rural transport routes as necessary, given the NTA's responsibilities regarding public transport routes and services, I have referred this aspect of your question to the NTA for further response to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Local Improvement Scheme

Ceisteanna (87)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

87. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if specific funding will be provided for the local improvement scheme in the 2021 road works allocation to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35425/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The maintenance of roads not taken in charge by local authorities is the responsibility of the relevant landowners.

The Local Government Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS). Under that Scheme, funding can be provided to local authorities for the construction and improvement of non-public roads (that is roads not taken in charge by local authorities) which meet the criteria set out in the Act. A contribution from the beneficiaries is required in all cases.

Up to 2012 my Department did provide ring-fenced funding for this scheme. However, due to the major cutbacks in roads funding arising from the post 2008 financial crisis, it was necessary for the Department to stop providing dedicated funding for LIS in 2012 and there was no funding for LIS in that year.

After that from 2013 to 2017, while there was no separate allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme, local authorities could use a proportion of their Discretionary grant for the Local Improvement Scheme if they chose to do so. The reason for this approach was taken was that it was considered that Councils were best placed to decide whether to concentrate the limited grant funding available on public roads or to operate a local improvement scheme for non-public roads.

In September 2017, my colleague the Minister for Rural & Community Development reintroduced dedicated funding for the LIS and is continuing to fund the scheme. In light of the significant funding being put into LIS by the Department of Rural & Community Development and the need to direct resources into maintaining and renewing public roads, it was decided that the option of allocating a proportion of my Department's Discretionary grant to LIS would no longer apply from 2018.

I understand that the Department of Rural and Community Development made an allocation of €10 million available for 2020 for LIS and works under the scheme are nearing completion with full draw down of the 2020 allocation expected by year-end. I also understand that an increase has been secured by that Department in the LIS allocation in Budget 2021. My colleague, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, will be able to further advise the Deputy in relation to the operation of the scheme in 2021.

Driver Test

Ceisteanna (88)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

88. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport if support will be given to the suspension of all check tests in driver tests during the course of the Covid-19 pandemic in the interests of ensuring the safety of driving instructors and others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35521/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Under the Road Safety Authorty Act, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the conduct of driving tests.

The Road Safety Authority developed protocols for conducting the driving test safely during the pandemic, following detailed consideration and medical advice.

I am advised that the Authority is not considering the suspension of check tests under the protocols.

It is worth remembering that since the resumption of driving tests during the summer, and even though thousands of tests have been conducted, there has not been a single case of Covid transmission due to the driving test.

Departmental Strategies

Ceisteanna (89)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

89. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Waterford metropolitan area transport strategy; if the metropolitan area strategic plan, MASP, can be amended to include Tramore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35525/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The Deputy is aware that the National Transport Authority (NTA), in collaboration with Waterford City & County Council, has commenced work on developing the Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (WMATS).

As I understand it, the Waterford Metropolitan Area as defined for the purposes of the transport strategy, is the same Metropolitan Area as defined for the purposes of the Waterford Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan within the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy, thus providing a direct link with the relevant land-use strategies. This integration between transport and land-use is extremely important, particularly in the context of the climate action challenge, and is an issue that has featured for many years in discussions on transport in Ireland.

In relation to issues affecting transport in the wider area, including Tramore, and how those issues might be usefully considered within the strategic planning framework, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order

Question No. 90 answered with Question No. 21.

Brexit Issues

Ceisteanna (91)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he and his Department have examined the options available for Irish exporters with business commitments in the UK and throughout the European Union or beyond with respect to their ability to gain ready, speedy and unimpeded access to their markets post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35769/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

Regardless of the outcome of the EU-UK negotiations, the end of the transition period will see the UK no longer applying the rules of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union. This will have immediate implications for trade flows, particularly to UK markets but also to wider EU markets via the UK Landbridge.

All businesses that export goods to Great Britain will be subject to a range of new customs formalities, SPS checks and other regulatory requirements that do not currently apply to such exports. It is vital that all exporters take steps to understand the impacts of the new rules or processes that will govern their export activity from 1 January 2021. These steps are set out in the Government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan published in September 2020.

The Action Plan also sets out the detailed work that has been carried out across Government to invest in the infrastructure and systems required for these additional checks and controls for trade with Great Britain in both directions, at Dublin Port, Rosslare Europort and at Dublin Airport.

In relation to trade transiting the UK to access EU markets, the UK landbridge is an important means of access to the single market, one that is favoured by traders in high value or time sensitive goods because it offers significantly faster transit times than alternative routes. As such we continue to work positively with our EU partners on addressing challenges in EU ports for traffic using the landbridge. However, the Government has pointed out for some time now including in our 2019 and 2020 readiness plans that there will likely be delays at ports immediately after the end of the transition period, with Dover-Calais identified as a particular likely bottleneck.

The process for moving goods by direct ferry routes between Ireland and other EU Member States will not be subject to the new procedures and controls. This trade stays within the Single Market. Following ongoing consultation with the shipping sector, and given the responsiveness of the shipping companies during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been my Department’s assessment that sufficient capacity should be available on direct routes to continental ports following the end of the UK’s transition period.

Following a request from my Department, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) last week published a report that reassesses Ireland’s Maritime Connectivity, and builds on and updates previous work carried out by the IMDO by updating the 2018 Landbridge Study. This report concludes that there is more than sufficient capacity on existing services in the RoRo network between Ireland and mainland Europe to cater, if required, for the landbridge traffic currently estimated at around 150,000 trucks per annum.

In addition the IMDO have launched a communications campaign which encourages businesses currently moving goods to Continental Europe through the UK to ACT now - ASSESS their supply chain, COMMUNICATE their needs to their logistic or shipping company and TRIAL the direct shipping options in order to keep their business moving. I encourage engagement between traders, hauliers and ferry companies to align capacity with needs and I would encourage traders, where it is feasible to do so, to avoid the risk of disruption by moving to direct services now and not wait until after 1 January 2021.

The performance of the shipping industry in responding to the challenges of Covid-19 has been impressive, including with a number of new direct services to Continental Europe having been established between Irish and continental ports, during the pandemic. My Department is confident that the shipping industry serving Ireland is open and competitive, is responsive to market demand and capable of responding to any increase in demand for direct connectivity to Continental Europe at the end of the transition period. Indeed we have seen recent moves by Irish Ferries and Stena to introduce revised schedules from 1 January 2021. Both companies have indicated that they are changing and increasing their sailings to Cherbourg from January 2021. Between them there will then be a daily service available from Ireland to France resulting in a further increase in capacity on this direct Continental Europe route of approximately 15%.

As regards air freight, the air cargo sector is fully liberalised and airlines are free to operate on a commercial basis in response to market developments internationally. Department officials have been working closely with stakeholders in the aviation sector both in response to the imapcts of the COVID-19 crisis, and to prepare them for the changes to come at the end of the Brexit Transition period. Officials from my Department continue to engage on a regular basis with airlines, other aviation stakeholders, and with the European Commission on efforts to maintain essential supply lines, and other related issues.

The Government’s Brexit Readiness Action Plan has a section on air travel with advice to businesses on what steps to take in order to be Brexit ready. This would apply to those involved in air freight, as well as passenger transport. Similar readiness preparations have been made at European level. It is not anticipated that the changed regulatory regime for aviation between the EU and the UK will have any direct impact on the movement of freight by air.

With a view to keeping essential supply lines moving during the COVID-19 crisis, my Department also fully supported the European Commission in its Green Lanes Communications in March 2020 and again last month, for border management measures across the EU to protect health and ensure the continued availability of goods and essential services.

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (92)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

92. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the ongoing maintenance, such as weed spraying, upkeep and so on, of the currently disused Rosslare Strand-to-Waterford railway line; if his Department will agree with Iarnród Éireann to continue to maintain the line on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35761/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy is aware, rail services on this line ceased in 2010 under an agreement made between the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Iarnród Éireann. A number of improvements were made to bus services at the time to ensure continued public transport connectivity.

The agreement between NTA and Iarnród Éireann includes arrangements for ongoing maintenace on the line. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.

I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if she does not receive a response within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51