Written Answers Nos. 59-85
59. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the methods used to collect data on solid fuel volumes sold nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8760/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is responsible for compiling Ireland’s energy statistics and preparing the National Energy Balance. The Energy Balance records all energy use in Ireland, in a given year, showing the quantity and type of energy used and the sectors in which it was used. The SEAI uses a number of sources to collect and estimate data on solid fuel usage for inclusion in the Energy Balance. These include surveys under the Energy Statistics Regulation of 2008, carbon tax excise data provided by Revenue, Environmental Protection Agency Emissions Trading Scheme data and Central Statistics Office import data. SEAI have worked with the CSO to develop methodologies to estimate sales not covered by the sources available, and continue to work to improve the accuracy and quality of their data.
SEAI is also working with the EPA on a project to research solid fuel used in the residential sector and expect results from this in the next 18-24 months. These results may also be used to verify and possibly enhance the current methodology.
Further information and the most recent data is available from the SEAI and on their website: https://www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-statistics/energy-data/.
60. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has received proposals on a project (details supplied) for a floating liquefied natural gas, LNG, terminal; the status of such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8769/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has received correspondence from the company referred to in the Question regarding a number of gas projects including the potential development of a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in County Louth. This is a potential development by a private sector company with which my Department has no involvement. I, as Minister, and my Department are neither supporting nor actively engaging with this proposal. The Programme for Government recognises that as Ireland moves towards carbon neutrality, it does not make sense to develop LNG terminals that import fracked gas. The Programme for Government commits to developing a policy statement to establish that approach.
My Department is in the process of developing the policy statement which includes consideration of any necessary legal and regulatory provisions. This includes detailed examination of the European energy and environmental frameworks, in which our national laws operate, to ensure the policy statement will be legally robust. Once finalised, I intend to bring the policy statement to Government for approval.
61. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce grant funding for sport centres interested in installing solar panels to reduce running costs and the carbon footprints of the centres, given that the current SEAI grant does not fully meet the requirements of sports centres. [8779/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Communities Energy Grant Scheme funded by my Department and operated by the SEAI makes grant funding available for community-based partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area and is applicable to homes, community facilities, and businesses. This scheme also facilitates projects from sports centres and it includes support for solar when part of a wider package. This facilitates more comprehensive upgrades which will significantly improve the facilities concerned and reduce running costs and carbon emissions. More information is available on the SEAI website at: https://www.seai.ie/grants/community-grants/
A Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is examining an enabling framework for micro- generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. This work aligns with the recently announced Programme for Government and is an integral part of our emerging Photovoltaic Solar Strategy. The proposed support mechanism is outlined in a Public Consultation which has just been launched. The consultation is open until the 18th February 2021. A suitable support payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all micro-generators by July 2021 in line with the transposition of EU Directive 2018/2001 into Irish law.
My Department is also currently working with SEAI on the development of a new scheme to provide support to Sustainable Energy Communities to implement projects identified in their energy master plans. This scheme, which will target smaller scale community-driven projects will be introduced later this year. It is envisaged that it would also facilitate solar as a measure when included as part of a wider package of energy upgrades in a community driven project.
In addition, SEAI is working with the GAA on their new Green Clubs initiative as their energy partner and through the pilot programme hopes to identify sustainable solutions for the network of GAA clubs all across Ireland.
62. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the proportion of the just transition fund to be allocated to each nomenclature of territorial units for statistics, NUTS, 3 region; the basis on which this is calculated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8842/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the EU Just Transition Fund is to alleviate the socio-economic impacts of the low carbon transition in the most affected regions across the EU. This Fund may be used to support the re-skilling of workers, help SMEs to create new economic opportunities, and promote the diversification of economic activity towards low-carbon sectors. Ireland has secured an allocation of €77 million from the EU Just Transition Fund for investments over the period 2021 to 2027. Ireland must prepare a Territorial Just Transition Plan, for approval by the European Commission, in order to secure access to funding. This Plan will set out Ireland’s proposed investment priorities as well as targeted sectors and regions. Work on this plan is ongoing in my Department and is being supported by the European Commission’s Structural Reform Support Programme, which will assist in the development of the evidence base to inform the selection of investment priorities for inclusion in the Territorial Plan. I envisage that this work will be completed in the first half of this year.
64. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will have regard to correspondence on whether a system can be devised to remove a person (details supplied) from an intervention area if they so wish. [8884/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas which will be included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode.
Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high speed broadband through the State led Intervention, the contract for which was signed in November last with National Broadband Ireland (NBI). The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
The premises referred to in the Question is located in the AMBER area on the High Speed Broadband Map in close proximity to the eir 300k rural fibre to the home rollout. The eir network serves the villages of Ballynoe and Conna, but only serves a small number of the premises between the two villages. While the NBP intervention is designed so as to ensure that no premises is left behind, the inclusion of a premises in the Amber area of the NBP map does not prevent a commercial operator from providing a high speed broadband service to the premises. What it indicates is that no commercial provider currently offers such a service, or has demonstrated a plan to provide this service and in these circumstances, the premises is included in the planned NBP network so as to ensure that access to a high speed broadband service will be provided in the future. Where appropriate, the NBP map may be revised to include or exclude additional premises.
65. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the contracts for public relations advice and consultancy entered into by his Department and costing more than €10,000 since January 2021; the nature of the contract; and the length of the contract in tabular form. [8890/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not entered into any contracts for public relations advice or consultancy in excess of €10,000 since January 2021.
66. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there has been any contact with his counterpart in the United States. [8910/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not yet been in contact with any cabinet members of the current United States administration.
67. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the roll-out of fibre broadband at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8969/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
I appreciate people's frustration when they are living so close to a fibre network but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland that, as of 11 February 2021, over 174,000 premises across all counties have been surveyed. Surveys in County Monaghan have been completed in Cornacassa, Cortolvin, Ballybay and Stranooden. Surveys are ongoing in Drumcru, Stonebridge, Tiernahinch, Clones, Annalore, Kileevan, Drumullan, Newbliss, Cumber, Scotshouse, Clonowla, Clonagore, Clonooney, Mullinahinch, Bellanode, Drumhilock, Tydavnet, Cloughnart, Scotstown and Killymarley. Further details are available on specific areas within County Monaghan through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. I am advised that NBI is working to provide more detail on its website, with a rolling update on network build plans. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 11 February, 268 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s are installed at Corduff Community Centre, Tannagh Outdoor Education Centre, Corcaghan Community Centre, Carn Resource Centre, Mullyash Community Centre and Monaghan GAA Centre of Excellence. BCP sites at Saint Alphonsus Community Hall, Ballybay Wetlands and Latton Resource Centre are installed and connected. Further details can be found at https://nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Annalitten, Drumgossatt and Saint Brigid's National School are installed by NBI for educational access as part of this initiative. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December which will see some 679 primary schools connected to high speed broadband by 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframe of 2026. Further details are available on the NBI website at https://nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
68. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider a system to mitigate weight for waste providers for families with disabilities and incontinence issues. [8998/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been examining this issue in detail for some time and has engaged with relevant stakeholders, including representative organisations and the HSE, in an effort to see how best to support persons with long-term incontinence with respect to the disposal of medical incontinence wear. However, there are complex issues at play in this area, which are understandable given the sensitive nature of the medical data in question. These efforts will continue, focussing, in particular, on pricing trends. Since mid-2017, a range of charging options have operated, which encourage householders to reduce and separate their waste. This provides flexibility to waste collectors to develop various service-price offerings that suit different household circumstances. Mandatory per kilogramme 'pay by weight' charging was not introduced. A Price Monitoring Group (PMG) was established in mid-2017 to monitor the on-going cost of residential waste collection to homeowners across Ireland as the ‘flat-rate structure’ was being phased out. While fluctuations in prices and service offerings have been observed, the overall trend has been relative price stability. Results from the PMG are available on my Department's website.
In September 2020, I launched a new national waste policy for the period 2020-2025, A Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy. This plan contains a range of measures to empower households through enhanced consumer protection requirements. It also envisages an enhanced monitoring of the market to ensure no changes occur in the relative price stability.
69. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if consideration is being given to a reduction in or refund of motor tax during the Covid-19 pandemic such as the reduction or refund given by insurance companies (details supplied). [7857/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMotor tax is payable if a vehicle is being used in a public place.
However, there is a facility in place to declare a vehicle off the road in advance where it is not going to be in use in a public place. A declaration of non-use must be made in the last month of an existing motor tax disc or renewed in the last month of a previously made declaration of non-use. The declaration can be made for any number of calendar months between 3 and 12 months i.e. it cannot be made for a period of 1 or 2 months. If a vehicle is subsequently required to be put back on the road during the period covered by the declaration of non-use, the declaration can be broken at any time simply by taxing the vehicle.
Motor tax legislation also provides for refunds in certain limited circumstances, including where a vehicle has been scrapped or destroyed, permanently exported, stolen and not recovered, where the vehicle has not been used in a public place at any time since the issue of a disc, where the owner of a vehicle has ceased to use the vehicle because of illness, injury or other physical disability, or due to absence from the State for business purposes, educational purposes or service overseas with the Defence Forces.
There are no plans currently to amend the legislation to extend the grounds for the granting of a refund.
With regard to a reduction in motor tax rates, changes to the rates and banding structures for motor tax take place in a Budgetary context. Changes to some rates and to the banding structure for new cars were announced in Budget 2021 and recently legislated for in the Finance Act 2020. There are no plans to amend motor tax legislation further at the present time.
70. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if exceptions can be made for an essential worker who needs a motorbike for travel to and from work to complete motorbike initial basic training, IBT, given that due to the lockdown the RSA has stated IBT cannot go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7862/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of driving instruction has been defined in legislation introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Health, as an essential service that may continue under level 5 restrictions, albeit in extremely limited circumstances.
Both Essential Driver Training (EDT) for cars and Initial Basic Training (IBT) for motorcycles are currently suspended. Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons to both driving and motorcycle learners, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already completed their required modules and has been scheduled a test date.
While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses to learners who have not yet completed their training, I am sure the Deputy will agree with me that the limiting of the spread of the virus and the safeguarding of public health must take first priority here.
71. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if an assessment will be carried out to ascertain whether hospital and nursing home staff could use public transport without charge during Covid-19 restrictions. [7864/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if a free travel scheme on public transport can be introduced during the pandemic restrictions for front-line healthcare workers. [8636/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 105 together.
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The continued operation of the public transport sector is important and, from a very early stage in the Covid-19 crisis, public transport was designated by Government as among the essential services that could continue throughout the emergency. Guided by public health advice, measures have been introduced across the system to enable the continued operation of services during the pandemic.
There is continued strong messaging that public transport capacity remains restricted and, therefore, should only be used for essential travel, with only those who have to travel at peak times doing so. People are being encouraged to walk or cycle where practical, and organisations are encouraged to continue to facilitate working from home.
The Government is also spending considerable additional Exchequer funds on the public transport sector in order to support the continued operation of necessary services, despite the reduced demand and the restricted capacity owing to the Covid-19 situation. Government support for all public transport services in 2020 amounted to over €620m. For 2021 over €670m has been provided in funding in order to ensure that the existing level of public transport services, albeit at a higher cost, continue to operate in a safe manner. By comparison, the level of PSO and Local Link funding provided in 2019 was in the region of €300m.
In addition, last summer the Government approved temporary funding support for the non-PSO (licensed, commercial) bus sector in respect of its continuation of necessary bus services, and the duration of this support was recently extended.
The Government's Living with Covid Plan, clearly sets out the guidance and restrictions that will apply for all sectors, including public transport, at the 5 levels of the Plan, including strong messaging that people should use active travel as an alternative where this is feasible. The advice is aimed at ensuring public transport is safeguarded for those who need it most, most notably, essential workers.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services and also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services by way of public transport services contracts in respect of services that are socially necessary but commercially unviable. The funding of those services comprises both the fares paid by passengers and the subvention payments from the Exchequer. The main purpose of the subvention payment is to meet the gap between income from fares and the cost of operating services.
Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
72. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the use of e-scooters on public pathways used by pedestrians can be monitored and policed in terms of space and speed and the safety of pedestrians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7874/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraElectric scooters are a type of powered personal transporter (PPT). PPTs are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the use of which requires a valid licence, tax and appropriate insurance in accordance with Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. As PPTs do not fall under any existing vehicle category, it is not currently possible to tax and insure them and there is no separate licence category for them. Therefore they may not be used on public roads and in public places. However, their use is permitted on private land with the permission of the landowner. While their use on public roads (including footways) is clearly illegal, I am aware that there has been some confusion on this matter and that commercial interests have not always highlighted the legal constraints on their use.
The intention is to legislate for e-scooters in accordance with the Programme for Government this year. This involves identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary legislation across a range of complex areas. The work must be carried out in such a way that it does not undermine the overall framework of Road Traffic Law or Road Safety in general. Department officials are currently working on drafting the necessary changes to primary legislation. Subject to satisfactory resolution of the necessary issues, Minister Ryan intends to bring forward amendments to the enabling primary legislation when the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is before the Oireachtas.
Experience overseas has shown that a change of regime may have consequences for road safety, the management of roads and footpaths, the movement of traffic, public transport and goods, public health and the environment. These are all factors which must be taken into consideration when legislating.
Until new legislation is in place, the use of electric scooters will remain illegal. As such, their use on public roads and in public places is subject to the same enforcement by the Garda Síochána as any other illegal conduct. The conduct of such enforcement is a matter for the Garda.
73. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting a driver test per centre; the age and gender of those awaiting a test; and the number of testers currently available per centre in tabular form. [7920/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpecific details on the number of persons awaiting a driver test in each test centre are held by the Road Safety Authority.
I am therefore passing the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. If a reply has not been received within 10 working days, the Deputy should contact my office.
74. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7932/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is no doubt aware, air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which covers the rights of passengers in instances of flight cancellations. However, if a flight goes ahead and a customer either cancels or does not use their ticket, they are not entitled to a refund under EU law.
Mindful of the position that Government has taken in relation to international travel in the interests of public health, the issue of consumer rights has been high on my agenda since taking Office. I have raised this with the airlines, and at the height of the uncertainty last Summer, in particular, I engaged with both Aer Lingus and Ryanair to underscore that options offered to consumers should be fair and reasonable.
As it now seems likely that Summer 2021 is also going to be adversely affected from a travel and holiday perspective, the Deputy can be assured that the same message around fairness and reasonableness will be conveyed again, in addition to the need to comply fully with consumer rights as covered in EU law. If any individuals are unclear about those rights, the Commission for Aviation Regulation has a dedicated web site for consumers, www.flightrights.ie.
75. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 35 of 4 November 2020, the status of the provision of the Killaloe bypass, Shannon bridge crossing and the R494 improvement scheme; the expected construction date for this vital project for south-east County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7966/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.
As the Deputy is aware, the NDP 2018-2027 identifies a programme of regional and local road improvement projects to be progressed with grant support and the Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and the R494 improvement scheme is one of those projects.
The scheme is at preparatory works and design stage at present. Implementation of the programme of projects in the NDP is on a phased basis and progression of each project is subject to the profile of annual capital allocations available to the Department. In this context a construction timeframe for the main scheme has not been decided as yet.
76. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if airline staff who are resident in Ireland but working in the UK for UK or US airlines can use the valid annex 3 certificate in accordance with the communication from the European Commission on green lanes when travelling between the UK and Ireland and internally in both jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7985/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government continues to advise against non-essential international travel and that essential travel is undertaken with due regard to public health safety measures. The Government have announced a numbers of measures in relation to international travel to protect against the spread of Covid-19, including pre-Departure RT-PCR testing and quarantine requirements.
However, and in line with the EU Commission recommendation on 'Green Lanes' designed to avoid supply chain disruptions; essential transport workers and holders of valid Annex three certificates are exempted from testing or quarantine measures in Ireland.
77. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on his engagement with his European counterparts on 8 December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7993/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 8 December 2020, I participated in an informal video conference of EU Transport Ministers, which was held under the auspices of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU. The agenda centred on two main items. Firstly, Council continued discussions on the Eurovignette Directive, which concerns Heavy Goods Vehicles and aims to address issues such as road infrastructure financing and tolls, greenhouse gas emissions, and congestion.
Secondly, there was a policy debate on the European Commisison's new Single European Sky proposals published in September 2020, which has the overall objective of improving the management of European airspace and air navigation service systems across the EU.
Other agenda items consisted of a range of information points touching a broad range of issues, including investment in rail, the impact of COVID-19 on air passengers' rights, and socially responsible connectivity. A report on the outcome of the meeting, including a range of background papers, can be found on the Council website at the following link:
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/tte/2020/12/08/
As noted in the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to placing Ireland at the heart of Europe. Though physical meetings continue to be constrained by the pandemic, it is crucial to continue to work closely with fellow Member States and the European Commission on policy matters. In this regard, on 10 November 2020, I held a call with EU Transport Commissioner Adina Valean, during which we discussed key supply chain issues relating to both Brexit and COVID-19 impacts.
My Government colleagues and I firmly believe that Ireland's interests are best served by pursuing an active and engaged membership of the EU. As Minister for Transport, I will continue to collaborate and forge alliances with my counterparts in other EU Member States with which we share common goals and interests.
78. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the system in place to deal with the backlog of driver theory test appointments due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8001/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra80. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place to allow essential workers to take the driver theory test during the current round of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8003/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport when the driver theory tests will resume for non-essential workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8004/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 80 and 81 together.
The Driver Theory Test (DTT) has not been classified as an essential service by Government and consequently it has been suspended in light of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. Driver Theory Tests for all candidates will remain suspended for the duration of level 5 restrictions.
It was decided, in a climate where only limited services are being provided in order to reduce the spread of Covid and where continuing services must be both safe and essential, that even if the theory test could be conducted safely it was not essential to the point of being needed during this period of restrictions.
The Road Safety Authority has advised my office that it is engaging with its service provider to maximise capacity to offer tests while adhering to occupational and public health requirements for when services are resumed. In this regard, they would, for example, be opening on additional days at some centres and extended hours also provided to allow additional capacity for appointments.
The RSA are also examining the expansion of remote theory tests to include cars and motorcycles, however scaling up operations to facilitate higher numbers will take time to achieve.
79. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport if it is the policy of the RSA that if a driver theory test is cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, the student is not refunded for their test fee and is not given another test date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8002/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no role in these policies and it is a matter for the RSA and the Theory Test Provider.
I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.
82. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties persons are experiencing having their driver licences printed and issued; if the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who successfully applied for the renewal of a driver licence on 30 December 2020 in the NDLS office in Clonmel and is still waiting for the delivery of same will be investigated; if he will engage with the NDLS to have this licence and others printed and issued without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8076/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
83. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties persons are experiencing having their driver licences printed and issued; if the case of a person (details supplied) who successfully applied for a driver licence which is urgently required for work will be investigated; if he will engage with the NDLS to have this licence issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8085/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
84. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if there are facilities for persons to postpone national car tests, NCTs, while they are trying to avoid all risky situations from a Covid-19 perspective. [8091/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority has advised that the National Car Testing Service has put in place a range of measures to ensure that they are fully compliant with health and safety guidelines and public health advice. Vulnerable drivers and those with an underlying illness are requested not to attend in person and instead organise for someone else to present their vehicle where possible.
Rearrangement and cancellation fees do not apply to those drivers making an alternative appointment and those who are more vulnerable are advised to contact the NCTS on 01 4135992 (Monday to Friday) to arrange an alternative appointment.
85. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties persons are experiencing with having their driver licences printed and issued; if he will investigate a 12-week delay in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who successfully applied for their driver licence in the NDLS office, Nenagh, County Tipperary on 11 November 2020; if he will engage with the NDLS to have the licence issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8105/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
