Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2021
86. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Transport the cost to date of all Covid-19-related payments in his Department to individuals and corporate entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15409/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 crisis has had a profound impact on public transport passenger numbers, and in turn fare revenues have dropped significantly. Public transport’s designation as an essential service throughout the pandemic means that, although fare revenues have collapsed, most of the cost of operations remains and must continue to be met in order to fulfil Government’s broader policy objectives.
In Budget 2020, and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately €300 million was provided for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and Local Link services. However, due to the impact that the COVID-19 crisis had on the sector, with passenger numbers falling to below 10% of 2019 levels at the height of the restrictions, a further c. €370 million was provided in 2020 to enable the continued operation of public transport services, with the COVID support scheme for commercial operators (CBO) amounting to an additional €32.3m and the Rural Transport Programme funding requirement for COVID-19 related expenditure, including for enhanced cleaning regime, additional fleet to address capacity issues and loss of fare revenue amounting to a further €0.4m. Therefore, total PSO and Local Link expenditure in 2020 was €670m compared to €300m in 2019.
A total of €2,699,376.46 was spent on COVID-19 PSO Maritime supports.
Measures to control the Coronavirus epidemic had practically stopped passenger traffic on combined Passenger/Roll-on Roll-off ferries on the Southern and Continental routes to and from Ireland. This passenger revenue is necessary for the operations’ economic viability. Because of this, it became clear that urgent measures were necessary to assist in the continuation of Roll-On Roll Off freight transport on these services over the next few months.
On 7 April 2020, the Government announced the temporary designation of five strategic maritime routes into and out of Ireland as Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes during COVID-19 for a period of up to three months. These routes are Dublin/Cherbourg and Rosslare/Fishguard, Pembroke, Cherbourg and Bilbao. The Government also approved the emergency provision of a maximum contribution of €15m toward the costs involved in the continued operation of passenger ferry services on these routes in the three month period.
The five routes in question are of strategic importance to Ireland because they ensure the robustness and resilience of Ireland’s lifeline supply chain which is critically important at this time for the movement of goods, including food and medical supplies, into and out of Ireland.
The Department entered into PSO Agreements with two companies to operate three of the designated routes. A final total of €2,699,376.46 was drawn down from this fund.
EU Commission Implementing Regulation 2015/1998 requires the upgrade of security screening equipment at European airports to improve explosive detection in hold baggage. To ensure compliance with this Regulation, a HBS project is currently underway at Shannon Airport.
Government approved Exchequer funding of €6.1 million in June 2020 to assist in the completion of this project at Shannon Airport, which had been suspended due to the impacts of COVID. Of the Exchequer funds available, €303K was drawn down in 2020 and a further €2.47 million has been drawn down to date in 2021. The balance of funds are expected to be drawn down upon completion of the project by years end.
The total COVID related spend in the Marine Survey Office (MSO) of my Department was just over €9, 000. This was primarily spent on personal protective equipment (PPE). Procurement of the additional PPE assisted the MSO to continue providing statutory services during the COVID restrictions.
The provision of antigen testing services for commercial vehicle drivers travelling to certain other EU countries amounted to €1,264,500 and self-isolation accommodation for non-resident drivers that tested positive for COVID-19 amounted to €84,000.
In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic the Irish Coast Guard spent in the region of €190,000. This included spend on PPE (FFP2, surgical and barrier type facemasks, gloves, tychem & tyvek suits), hand sanitiser, disinfectant, supply and fitting of vehicle partitions, thermometers, posters/signage, automatic hand sanitiser dispensers, and mobile handwashing basins. The spend to date in 2021 is being compiled at present, and will be furnished to the Deputy without delay.
The Department allocated €1.9m for payments for overseas travel repatriation and refund. The funds are administered by the Commission for Aviation Regulation.
My Department facilitated the initial setting up by daa of a call centre in relation to the passenger locator forms under the responsibility of the Department of Health. The €45,843.15 paid involved payment of the cost of legal advice.
A total sum of €3,315.46 (inclusive of VAT) was spent by my Department relating to COVID-19 communications to the public. This was for the provision of information leaflets for distribution, over the Christmas travel period, to passengers on board ferries to Ireland and also to passengers on arrival in Irish airports, to advise them of COVID-19 requirements in this country at the time. This sum included a small sum for the translation of the leaflet into Irish.
My Department also spent €503,451.78 on IT related equipment, Health and Safety measures, PPE, signage and other COVID-19 related items.
