Written Answers Nos. 90-106
90. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the provisions in place for air passengers who are not being offered refunds or vouchers from their carrier despite following Government directives not to fly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9447/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra93. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the plans being considered to refund flights already booked even in circumstances in which the flights are still operating, given that persons are requested not to go on holiday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9509/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the plans being considered for airlines to refund passengers their total flight cost if they did not take their flight in November 2020 following Government advice not to fly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9737/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the plans being considered to compensate consumers who have bought air travel flights but no longer want to travel due to the pandemic (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10049/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 93, 105 and 123 together.
As the Deputies are 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, I will again be raising the importance of there being fairness and reasonableness in dealing with consumers, 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.
91. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport out of the 248 new posts announced to expand walking and cycling facilities, the number that will be allocated to Galway County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9476/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including cycling and walking infrastructure.
I understand that the details referred to by the Deputy will be published by the NTA on its website (www.nationaltransport.ie) shortly.
92. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his engagement with the Minister for Health to provide free public transport services to and from various points around each county in respect of the vaccination centres announced and in view of some of their locations. [9480/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 safely 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, including temporary funding support for the non-PSO (licensed, commercial) bus 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.
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. Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance and as such I have had no engagement with the Minister of Health on this issue. 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.
95. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the names and contact details for each special adviser requested for appointment by him in tabular form. [9607/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I requested the approval of Government for the appointment of the following Special Advisers to Minister of State Hildegard Naughton:
|
Name |
Title |
Contact Details |
|
Paul Melia |
Special Adviser |
PaulMelia@transport.gov.ie |
|
Denise Duffy |
Press Adviser |
DeniseDuffy@transport.gov.ie |
The appointment of my own special advisers was requested by me in my capacity as Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and details are being provided separately.
All appointments have been made in line with Public Service Management Act, 1997 and have been approved by Government.
96. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the reason a company was awarded a contract for electric buses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9608/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 procurement of PSO bus fleet.
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.
97. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider establishing a driver test centre in a location (details supplied), given the backlog for tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9623/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe location of driving test centres is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and I have no power to intervene in operational decisions. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
98. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport the reason a full car and motorcycle licence obtained in British Columbia is only exchangeable for a full car licence; the reason the NDLS will only provide a provisional motorcycle licence; if this discrepancy in the foreign licence exchange is intended; if not, his plans to amend same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9624/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland entered into a driving licence exchange agreement with British Columbia in August 2017. As part of this agreement, Ireland agreed to issue a category B (car) driving licence to the holder of a valid British Columbia Class 5 or Class 7 licence, and a category A, A1, A2 or AM (motorcycles) driving licence to the holder of a valid British Columbia Class 6 or Class 8 driving licence. This intended arrangement was agreed with the licensing authority of the province of British Columbia and is not a discrepancy.
If a person exchanging a British Columbia driving licence has a Class 5/7 and a Class 6/8 licence, they will be issued with an Irish driving licence for categories A, A1, A2, AM and B. If the licence holder does not have a Class 6/8 licence, a motorcycle driving test must be completed to obtain a motorcycle category on the Irish licence.
99. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport if public procurement took place in the awarding of a contract (details supplied); if companies were invited to tender for this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9629/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn mid-January, France informed Ireland that it was preparing to introduce a requirement that hauliers travelling from Ireland to France must furnish a negative Covid-19 test result prior to embarking on their journey. A Covid-19 testing service for drivers was required to be in operation by 27 January. Given the extreme urgency involved, my Department issued a request for quotes to a number of suppliers and entered into a contract with one supplier, to provide antigen testing services. The service involves the provision of antigen testing for commercial drivers at a number of sites located close to our ports with direct maritime services from Ireland to France. This arrangement is in place for a temporary period.
Given the extreme urgency involved, my Department relied on the negotiated procedure without prior publication, as set out in the derogation at Regulation 32(2)(c) of the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations S.I 284/2016 for this procurement.
It is my intention to run a full tendering process to provide COVID-19 testing services for commercial drivers in the event that the French requirements for a negative test prior to embarkment remain beyond this initial period or further countries introduce such a requirement. I would encourage any existing test providers to engage in that tendering process.
100. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport the policies in relation to the provision of the driver theory test and its availability to essential workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9635/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Driver Theory Test (DTT) has not been classified as an essential service by Government and consequently it has had to be suspended in light of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. All Driver Theory Tests will remain suspended for the duration of level 5 restrictions. The Driver Theory Test will not be conducted for essential workers while we remain in level 5.
While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses to learners, I am sure you will agree with me that the limiting of the spread of the virus and the safeguarding of public health must take first priority here.
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 Driver Theory Test service has recently launched a pilot phase of a new initiative, which offers a Remote Testing service for specific categories of Theory Test (C, D, CD, BMT, TMT, ADI, CPCB, CPCT). Following a review of the pilot phase, I understand the RSA expect the initiative to be extended for car and motorcycles.
The RSA are keen to progress and extend the service to all categories of Driver Theory Test, however scaling up operations to facilitate higher numbers will take time to achieve.
101. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department can waive the requirement to have a recently expired certificate of competency exchanged for a full driver licence for a person (details supplied) necessary to start a new job due to misinterpretation of new regulations introduced in April 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9648/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Covid-19 restrictions introduced by the Government in March 2020, regulations were brought in to extend the period of validity for all Certificates of Competency that expired between 1 March and 30 June. Certificates that were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive, had their period of validity extended by 4 months.
The validity of Certificates of Competency is set out in legislation which is based on both national and EU law. Making a change to the validity of an existing certificate would require a change in law. I have no plans to extend further the validity date of certificates of competency.
102. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport the number of staff employed in his Department by gender and by Civil Service salary scale in tabular form. [9672/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe headcount of staff employed in my Department by gender and Civil Service equivalent salary scale is set out below. Professional/Technical grades have been mapped separately to their equivalent administrative grades by salary.
|
Grade |
Female |
Male |
Total |
|
Administrative Staff |
|||
|
Secretary General |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
3 |
2 |
5 |
|
P.O. |
11 |
11 |
22 |
|
Special Adviser* |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
A.P. |
34 |
26 |
60 |
|
A.O. |
18 |
13 |
31 |
|
H.E.O. |
46 |
32 |
78 |
|
E.O. |
57 |
40 |
97 |
|
C.O. |
86 |
35 |
121 |
|
Civilian Driver |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
Service Officer |
2 |
8 |
10 |
|
Total |
258 |
171 |
429 |
|
Professional/Technical Staff |
|||
|
P/T P.O equiv. |
1 |
18 |
19 |
|
P/T A.P equiv. |
3 |
48 |
51 |
|
P/T A.O/H.E.O equiv. |
4 |
55 |
59 |
|
P/T Total |
8 |
121 |
129 |
|
Department Total |
266 |
292 |
558 |
*The two Special Advisers detailed are assigned to Minister of State Naughton. Minister Ryan's advisers will be included as part of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication's response.
103. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed in tabular form. [9694/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below:
|
Number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by the Minister for Transport |
Scheduled Date of Completion |
|
Re-Examination of certain Findings of the Draft Final Report of the accident to Rescue 116, Black Rock Co. Mayo on 14th March 2017 |
end Feb. 2021 (Expected, Subject to change) |
|
Irish Maritime Directorate Strategy 2021-2025 |
March 2021 |
|
Irish Ports Capacity Study |
Q2 2021 |
|
Sustainable Mobility Policy Review |
Q4 2021 |
|
Freight decarbonisation study (co-funded with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII)) |
On-going (Phase 1 completed Q4 2020; end date of Phase 2 TBD) |
|
Mitigation of air pollution impacts of Irish Heavy-Duty Vehicles (MAP-HDV) (co-funded with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)) |
Q1 2021 |
|
Mitigation of Irish Heavy-Duty Vehicle CO2 and/or air pollutant emissions desk-top study |
End Q1 2021 |
|
Five Cities Traffic Demand Management Study |
Q2 2021 |
|
Emissions from and fuel consumption associated with off-road vehicles and other machinery (EFFORT project) |
Early Q2 2021 |
|
Eco-driving: trends & potential impacts for Irish heavy-duty vehicles (ECO-HDV) (co-funded with the SEAI) |
End of Q2 2021 |
|
Impact of NO2 on health with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups (co-funded with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)) |
End of Q3 2021 |
|
Low Emission Bus Trial Phase 2: Hydrogen bus trial |
End of 2021 |
|
Roadside emissions in Dublin: measurements and projections (RED-MAP) (co-funded with the EPA) |
End of Q1 2022 |
104. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric vehicle charging points available nationwide; the number that are high-speed charging points; the number located in County Galway; the number of high-speed charging points in County Galway; if a map of the locations of same in County Galway is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9731/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the number of electric vehicle chargers for public use in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9757/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to expand the network of charging points for electric vehicles in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9963/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 106 and 114 together.
Deputies will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years.
We have committed €10 million from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) to promote the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
The project is due to be completed in 2022.
Further details on ESB charge points nationwide can be found at https://esb.ie/ecars/charge-point-map.
In light of the ESB eCars responsibility in the matter of the number of charge points provided by county, I have forwarded the Deputies' questions to the ESB for direct response. Please contact my Office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
While several private operators such as Tesla, Ionity & EasyGO are involved in providing charging infrastructure, my Department does not hold information on the location of charging infrastructure which has been installed without government support. I am aware, however, that ESB has partnered with Tesco Ireland to install 22kW Standard AC Chargers at 33 Tesco locations around the country in the last number of months. More than 50 of these are planned in total. My Department is also making €2 million available next year through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as hotels and shopping centres. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
In addition to the ESB project, my Department also provides support through the SEAI Public Charge Point Scheme which has been in place since September 2019 to provide funding to local authorities for the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of this scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate those EV owners who do not have access to a private parking space but rely on parking their vehicles on public streets, by enabling them to charge their EVs near their homes. A total of 75% of the capital costs is provided through a grant, up to a maximum of €5,000 per charge point. My Department will continue to support this scheme through the grants provided by SEAI and in parallel is also developing a charging infrastructure strategy, in line with the Programme for Government, which will ensure capacity keeps ahead of demand.
Combined with an effective public charging network, Ireland's home charging policy will help sustain and service the expected growth of electric vehicles on Irish roads. Charging while at home accounts for around 80% of electric vehicle charging in Ireland and it is best practice, internationally, to promote home charging as the most common and cheapest form of charging. To support home charging, the SEAI, on behalf of my Department, administers an EV Home Charger Grant of up to €600 towards the purchase and installation of an EV home charger unit.
