Written Answers Nos. 81-102
82. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with travel agents and discussed the need to provide travel agents with continuing business supports with the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment given the ongoing challenges the sector is facing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32457/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have maintained regular contact with key stakeholders throughout the COVID crisis including representatives of the travel trade. Since the impacts of the crisis on international travel became apparent in March last year, particularly on sectors such as aviation and the outbound travel trade, officials from my Department have liaised closely with the Irish Travel Agents Association, which represents about half of the licensed travel agents in the country. My officials have also maintained close contact with travel counsellors and some of the larger tour operators in Ireland during this period. I attended a video conference with the ITAA last summer, and more recently I joined Minister Ryan at a meeting with them in February.
The Government has provided an unprecedented package of supports to businesses during the crisis most of which have been available to the licensed travel agents and tour operators. The sector has availed of some of those central Government supports such as the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme, which has undoubtedly helped sustain employment in the sector. Travel agents and tour operators have also qualified for the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) or the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC) which fall under the remit of my colleagues the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment respectively.
In addition, in June 2020 my Department, in close consultation with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, introduced the Refund Credit Note (RCN) Scheme. This scheme was devised in full consultation between my officals and those representing the Tánaiste's Department, with the industry as represented by the ITAA. The Scheme is in line with the EU Commission recommendations of May 2020 in assisting the liquidity positions of licensed travel agents and tour operators by ensuring that refund vouchers are protected in the event of insolvency. The Scheme has undoubtedly assisted in preserving cash within the sector, To date Notes to the value of €17m have been issued. This is money that otherwise would have had to be paid by the sector to cover customer refunds.
Furthermore, following representations from the travel trade my Department has recently liaised with merchant service providers in the context of their approach to risk profiling and requirements for security from the travel industry. The key concerns of the service providers were addressed with the cooperation of the Commission for Aviation Regulation, the body that licenses Irish travel trade firms and I am assured that the service providers have responded positively to this development.
From the outset of the pandemic I have maintained contact with relevant Government colleagues in respect to the needs of this sector, in particular from a small business perspective about the eligibility criteria for certain COVID related business support schemes. I welcomed the Tánaiste's recent announcement that eligibility for the SBASC would be extended to include travel counsellors, a cohort of travel agents that work from home.
Under the Government's Resilience and Recovery: The Path Ahead Plan, non-essential international travel will be possible from 19 July. This plan is built around the EU Digital COVID Certificates and other proofs of vaccination, pre-departure PCR testing and mandatory quarantine that will allow international travel to operate safely while an “emergency brake” mechanism will also allow us to respond to the potential emergence of variants of concern.
Whilst there will be a certain level of pent-up demand, it is recognised that it may take some time for consumer confidence to return and for the sector to see a meaningful return to trade.
On 1 June, Government launched its Economic Recovery Plan 2021 with the goal of achieving rapid job creation and economic growth after the pandemic. This plan sets out new measures for businesses and affected sectors as the economy reopens, and details for continuing existing emergency pandemic financial supports including the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), giving certainty to employers and employees. Importantly, this plan also recognises that additional support may be required for the recovery of certain sectors such as aviation and travel trade. As the travel trade is part of the wider aviation and travel ecosystem, the needs of this particular sector will continue to be considered and I and my Department will maintain contact with the industry in the weeks ahead, as we get more clarity on the trajectory of the recovery of the economy which is, of course, now finding its feet again as we start to reopen for business.
83. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the status of the progress of the Bandon southern relief road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32405/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
The N71 Bandon Bypass extension is at early Planning & Design stage and is expected to progress to Route Selection phase in 2021.
Given TII's role in managing the overall progression of this project, I have referred the question to TII for a more detailed and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
84. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the way the clear public interest justification has been solicited or assessed further to his statement in response to a previous Parliamentary Question (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32423/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
As indicated in my response to the Deputy on 2nd June 2021 (PQ 30156/21) - owing to the impact of Covid-19 on passenger numbers and the associated drop in fare revenue, last June the Government decided to introduce new, temporary financial support for certain licensed services provided by commercial bus operators to ensure the continued operation of these essential services.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) on behalf of my Department, entered into contracts with the licensed bus sector to provide funding for routes where a clear public interest justification supports such intervention.
Given the NTA's statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
85. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the way he plans to restore routes and air connectivity to Shannon Airport. [32120/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for this question.
I am fully aware of the pronounced impacts of COVID-19 on Shannon Airport, like all airports in Ireland and around the world. In recognition of these impacts Government put in place a range of horizontal economy wide supports which Shannon Group is availing of as appropriate. These include both wage supports and the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) which have recently been extended by Government.
In addition, on 10 November 2020, in recognition of the very difficult circumstances facing the aviation sector, the Government announced an €80 million funding package for Irish aviation in 2021. Shannon Airport will receive support under both the €32.1m Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021 and the €26m Covid-19 Supplementary Supports Schemes. These schemes include compensation for State Airports including Shannon Airport and will provide State airports with flexibility to roll out route incentives/charge rebates, in consultation with airlines, with a view to supporting recovery and growth of connectivity. My Department is currently assessing applications for this funding under this Scheme and would hope to be in a position to disburse this compensation in the coming weeks. In order to ensure parity of treatment, funding will be allocated to airports proportionate to the damage caused. In this regard, funding will be allocated proportionately in line with 2019 passenger numbers at the airports.
On 19th April 2021, the allocation of over €11 million in Exchequer funding was announced under the Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme, of which €6.3m was allocated to Shannon Airport. These aviation specific supports follow the Government's approval of €6.1m to Shannon Airport in 2020 to ensure completion of the Airport's Hold Baggage Screening project.
Prior to the pandemic, Shannon Group was delivering on its commercial mandate, improving profitability and recording strong growth in its commercial property company. Shannon Group must be afforded the opportunity to return to that pre-COVID-19 value proposition and through the various supports referenced above, I believe Shannon Airport will be positioned for recovery.
I can advise the Deputy that Ryanair resumed scheduled air services in Shannon Airport on 1 June. Regarding the restoration of other routes and the introduction of new air services, these are commercial matters between airlines and airports, including Shannon Airport.
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.
87. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the plans in place to install new bus shelters in County Cork in the next year. [32409/21]
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 provision of bus stops and shelters.
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.
88. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Programme for Government commitment to develop coastal greenways and off road cycle routes, such as the East Coast Greenway. [32455/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working with local authorities and appropriate agencies to continue developing an integrated national network of greenways to be used by commuters, students, leisure cyclists and tourists and to support cross-border greenway projects.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland will be commencing work on a National Cycle Network this year and is due to finish this work in 2022. This Network will comprise Greenways, other off road cycle routes, lower trafficked roads, and will build on the work of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in the GDA Cycle Network Plan and the Regional Cities Cycle Network plans.
Under the Strategy for the Future Development of Regional and Local Greenways, €40m was invested by the previous Government in 2019 to co-fund nine construction-ready Greenways. This co-funding was significantly increased following my appointment as Minister in 2020 to one hundred per cent Exchequer funding with a total allocation to these projects of €76m. The total allocation for Greenways in 2021 is over €63m which is the highest single year figure for Greenways by some margin.
My Department has continued to co-support cross-border Greenways under the EU Interreg V programme, including the Carlingford to Newry Greenway on the East Coast.
In 2020 my Department allocated €4.5m in co-funding for 26 pre-construction phase projects, including Preliminary Design and Environmental Evaluation for a 12.3 km section from the Tourist Office in Carlingford to Templetown Beach. This will provide us with a pipeline of projects that will come to construction over the coming years and see us achieve the goal set out in the Greenways Strategy of increasing the number and geographical spread of Greenways around the country.
In relation to planned routes outlined in the Greater Dublin Area Cycle Network Plan that would potentially form part of the East Coast Greenway, this document was prepared in 2013 by the NTA and I will therefore refer the Deputy’s query to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
My Department will continue to work with stakeholders and other government departments to deliver on cycling infrastructure commitments in the Programme for Government.
89. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport if the Limerick northern distributor road continues to be considered a key infrastructure project that will be progressed as a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32424/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The National Development Plan (NDP) as it stands, does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network but funding is not yet at the level needed for the adequate maintenance and renewal of regional and local roads. For this reason, the primary focus for capital investment continues to be the maintenance and renewal of the network with some limited investment in road improvement schemes.
Under the National Development Plan there is no Exchequer regional and local road grant funding in place to progress the Limerick Northern Distributor Road through the planning process to construction stage.
91. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport his views on the use of Covid-19 antigen testing as part of efforts to support the Irish aviation industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32410/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe use of antigen testing in relation to international travel is a matter for the Minister for Health in the first instance. Government decisions relating to COVID-19 testing are based on public health advice.
93. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that the potential to develop shared use of motor vehicles and bikes is being adequately facilitated in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31582/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI agree with the Deputy that there is a role for shared use of motor vehicles and bikes as we seek to achieve a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland.
Of course shared mobility is not necessarily a new concept and we already have successful examples here in Ireland both in terms of shared car schemes and also shared bike schemes which operate across the country, mainly in the five cities. In relation to shared car schemes specifically, these are principally market-driven initiatives which are supported by local authorities through a variety of means such as access to on-street parking.
The Deputy is likely aware that my Department is currently carrying out a review of sustainable mobility policy. Since the end of the public consultation last year, it has analysed more than 250 submissions that were received, and a report of that consultation process was published on the Departmental website. That report provides an overview of the types of stakeholder who engaged with the consultation process and summarises the different thematic areas raised, including car-sharing and bike-sharing.
In that report the Deputy will see a number of ideas were submitted with regard to promoting shared mobility schemes. The Deputy will also see that there were different views expressed in relation to the regulation of such schemes ranging from those advocating a very permissive regulatory framework to others who argued that good quality regulation would be crucial to guarantee safety, address environmental concerns and ensure consumer protection.
Following the public consultation, my Department is now developing a new 10-year Sustainable Mobility Policy which will be published later this year. The aim is to put in place a new policy that better supports sustainable mobility and a shift away from the private car to greater use of active travel and public transport. Shared mobility has a role to play in changing how we think about our daily travel and facilitating that change.
94. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the impact of recent aviation decisions on regional connectivity; the measures in place to safeguard connectivity especially at regional airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32454/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe sudden announcement by Stobart Air last weekend had an immediate impact on regional connectivity, in particular on PSO flights between Dublin and the airports of Donegal and Kerry. In that regard, my priority is to restore this connectivity as soon as possible through an emergency procurement process with a view to services being operational again by mid July.
This restoration of regional connectivity is of critical importance to Government. The funding which has been made available to Airports is a clear indication of this. In addition to the economy-wide measures made available to all businesses, Government is also implementing an €80m funding package specifically for Irish aviation. In addition to €21.3m in funding to support connectivity to the airports of Donegal, Kerry and Ireland West under the Regional Airports Programme, €32.1m in funding has also been made available to Cork and Shannon airports under a Covid-19 Regional State Airports Programme 2021.
Furthermore, on 24 February, the Commission approved State aid support schemes to help address liquidity issues at airports as a result of Covid-19. The airports that will benefit from potential supports are Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Ireland West, Kerry and Donegal. Collectively, these new Covid-19 Supplementary Supports Schemes have a budget of €26m.
These schemes include compensation for State airports (Dublin, Cork and Shannon) of approximately €20m, in light of Covid impacts in 2020. This funding will provide State airports with flexibility to roll out route incentives/charge rebates, in consultation with airlines, with a view to supporting recovery and growth of connectivity.
In addition, up to €6m will also be available to regional airports that provide connectivity (Ireland West, Kerry and Donegal) under the EU Temporary Framework in recognition of the impact of COVID on their business.
Applications for funding under these schemes are also currently being assessed and it is hoped that aid will be granted in the coming weeks.
The Government announcement on 26 May of a roadmap for the gradual reopening of international travel from 19 July will also help to safeguard connectivity at our regional airports.
I am pleased to advise that scheduled commercial air services are now resuming at all our regional airports with scheduled flights now operating out of Cork, Shannon and Kerry and resuming at Ireland West from Friday. I also understand that Donegal airport expects Glasgow flights to resume next month.
95. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding and if a copy will be provided of the detailed design works in relation to MetroLink as it relates to Estuary Court, Chapel Lane, and Ashely Estate in Swords, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31504/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is probably aware, the current status of the MetroLink project is that a Preliminary Business Case has been prepared by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and submitted by the NTA to my Department for review as is required under the Public Spending Code. Subject to Government approval and the completion of all necessary planning / environmental documentation, the scheme will then be submitted to An Bord Pleanála for planning approval, known as a Railway Order.
The Preliminary Business Case has been prepared on the basis of the Preferred Route for the scheme as has evolved during public consultations over 2018 and 2019 and which is available to view on the dedicated project website, www.metrolink.ie.
I am informed that in relation to the specific issue referred to by the Deputy that TII continues to have on-going engagement with residents in this area. The detailed design and relevant surveys will be published as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report which will form part of the Railway Order application for MetroLink. Obviously, all interested partiers will be able to make their views known as part of that Railway Order application process.
96. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport the status of and position regarding the daily intermodal freight train from Ballina to Dublin Port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32444/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that due to the significant increases in LoLo shipping services direct from Dublin Port to the continent, there have been some capacity constraints at one of the privately run terminals in Dublin port that caters to both LoLo and rail freight. As a result, this has impacted on rail freight services into the Port.
It is understood that the stakeholders involved, Doyle Shipping Group, its client IWT, Iarnród Éireann and Dublin Port are currently engaging to explore how to resolve these issues. I encourage all parties to constructively engage to ensure the continuation of rail freight into Dublin Port.
97. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the status of the A5 motorway project; and when the work is set to commence. [31887/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe planning and implementation of the proposed A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities.
Following a Public Inquiry into the scheme in early 2020, the Department for Infrastructure received an Interim Report from the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) in September 2020. After careful consideration and having taken legal advice, the Minister for Infrastructure published the Interim Report together with her Department’s formal response to all the recommendations made by the PAC in the form of an Interim Departmental Statement issued on 16th March 2021.
The Minister for Infrastructure has indicated that she expects the Public Inquiry to be reconvened in early 2022, with a view to the Commission preparing a final report on the scheme.
The funding arrangements in relation to the A5 are governed by the commitments in the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start and in the New Decade, New Approach document. The Government is committed to providing funding of £75 million (sterling) towards the cost of phase 1a of the A5 upgrade scheme once the statutory planning process in Northern Ireland has been concluded.
