Written Answers Nos. 319-338
319. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport if he will work with the National Transport Authority and Dublin Bus to ensure the Nitelink bus services are reinstated at the earliest opportunity. [50512/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra332. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his plans to restart the Nitelink service in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50850/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 332 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the operations of public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
I am pleased to inform the Deputies that the NTA has decided that Nitelink bus services will recommence from Friday October 22nd. This decision will, of course, be guided by public health advice and subject to a final Government decision on the next stage of reopening.
320. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport if he will consult with the National Transport Authority with a view to reducing renewal fees for SPSV licences and given that these many drivers have not been working for long periods since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50526/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including renewal fees, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Given the role of the NTA as regulator, I have referred your question to the Authority for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that standard licence renewal fees were waived in 2021 and they will be waived again in 2022 at an estimated cost of €3 million.
321. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport his plans including a timeline for delivery of the DART+ coastal north to Drogheda, County Louth in the context of the recently published National Development Plan; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that planning permissions have been granted by the planning authorities along the northern commuter line on the basis that this will delivered by 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50535/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that Northern Line commuters will see enhanced services and capacity rolled out in the coming years through utilisation of some of the additional 41 rail carriages currently under construction, the deployment of new battery-electric fleet under DART+ Fleet and ultimately a move toward a fully electrified network as part of DART+ Coastal North.
As the Deputy will be aware, there is currently an order for 41 additional ‘ICR’ carriages under construction and scheduled for delivery from summer 2022, with service entry expected in 2023. These additional carriages will benefit the Greater Dublin Area commuter rail network, including passengers on the Northern Line, through adding capacity to existing services as well as adding additional service(s) as appropriate.
The medium-and longer-term improvements for the Northern Line will be considered as part of the DART+ Programme which comprises five different, but complementary, projects of which DART+ Coastal North is one. The other four projects are :
- DART+ West;
- DART+ South West;
- DART+ Coastal South; and
- DART+ Fleet.
Naturally there is a sequencing to the delivery of these different projects as each sits within the overall programme framework and it is also the case that the success of some of the projects depends on the early delivery of other projects.
My Department, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, are currently reviewing the DART+ Preliminary Business Case and I expect to bring that to Government before the end of the year for relevant Decision Gate approvals as required by the Public Spending Code. Of the five projects, DART+ West and DART+ Fleet are the most advanced and Government approval will allow DART+ West enter the statutory planning system and also allow a contract to be signed in relation to DART + Fleet with the first of that fleet expected to arrive within 4 years from contract signing.
The initial DART+ Fleet order includes provision for battery-electric fleet which will be used on the Northern Line in advance of the electrification of the network under the DART+ Coastal North project. Design consultants have been appointed to the project and next year will see the start of the non-statutory public consultation process in relation to the project, as has been happening this year with DART+ West and DART+ South West.
As can be seen, the Northern Line will see significant capacity and service improvements in the short, medium and longer term and I look forward to working with him as we roll-out these improvements in the coming years.
322. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number and percentage of the Dublin Bus fleet that is aged over 10 years. [50554/21]
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 operation of public transport services.
The issue raised is a matter for Dublin Bus and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
323. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if contact has been made with the relevant landowners of the proposed extension to the LUAS Green Line from Brides Glen, confirming the agency that will be the point of contact for this work and when it is likely to be undertaken. [50586/21]
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 Light Rail.
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.
324. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a breakdown for 2020 and to date in 2021, of the way in which persons chose to tax their motor vehicle, that is, quarterly, bi-annually and in full; the amount raised in motor tax over these time periods; and his plans to equalise the amount due per vehicle in view of the fact that a person that pays in full pays less tax than a person that pays quarterly. [50600/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMotor tax is payable on an annual, half-yearly or quarterly basis. The rates applicable to the half-yearly and quarterly options are 55.5% and 28.25% of the annual charge, respectively. These relativities have remained generally consistent since the 1960's.
Of the 4,960,487 motor tax discs issued in 2020, 1,985,929 were annual, 730,453 were bi-annual and 2,244,104 were quarterly.
Of the 3,762,793 discs issued to the end of September 2021, 1,675,285 were annual, 548,870 were bi-annual and 1,538,638 were quarterly.
Gross motor tax receipts in 2020 were just under €940m. Gross motor tax receipts to the end of September 2021 were almost €721m.
The loss to the Exchequer arising from the elimination of the additional charge for these options has been estimated at just under €41.3m, based on the volume of transactions for 2020. The loss of income that would arise from changing these arrangements would have a negative impact on the total collected via motor tax and would have to be borne elsewhere in the motor tax system or through the taxation system generally.
325. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport when theory test day support assistance such as reader recorder service and dyslexia support professional will resume. [50629/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Theory Test. This is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority and the Theory Test provider.
This question is therefore being referred 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.
326. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the number of helicopter emergency medical services-related calls provided on a monthly basis by a company (details supplied) as part of the overall contract; if this number is capped; if there are additional costs per tasking charged to the State over and above any cap that might exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50633/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIrish Coast Guard (IRCG) helicopters, on a request and availability basis, provide aeromedical support to the HSE. Services include inter-hospital transfers, Island Medevacs, Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) and UK Paediatric transfers. The Aero Medical desk at NEOC is responsible for assessing the requirements for aeromedical services.
The majority of mission requests relate to single patient transfers. Irish Coast Guard helicopters provide day and night-time aeromedical services to the offshore islands. Coast Guard Helicopter crews operate a 24-hr shift pattern commencing at 1300 each day. Aero medical services (other than island medevacs) are available up to 2300 each day after which Helo crews must avail of mandatory rest periods for any missions other than SAR related. Services to HSE may resume at 0730 on the following day provided the crews have had uninterrupted rest from 2100 on the previous evening.
Under existing arrangements IRCG is the sole provider of HEMS services outside of Daylight hours. In terms of cost sharing, twelve missions per month are provided Free of Charge and flying hours are charged for any additional missions. For all UK pediatric transfers – ancillary costs and flying hours are charged to HSE.
Coast Guard helicopters conducted an average of 43 flights per month on behalf of HSE i.e. 386 flights in total to end of September. This number includes 125 Island medevacs, 234 other flights including HEMS and inland SAR, two emergency pediatric transfer to the UK, and 25 inter hospital transfers.
327. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the timescale for the electrification of the commuter rail route from Dublin to Maynooth, County Kildare. [50662/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe DART+ Programme will transform rail services across the Greater Dublin Area when fully rolled-out.
As the Deputy may be aware, DART+ actually comprises five different, but complementary, projects of which DART+ West is one. The other four projects are :
- DART+ South West;
- DART+ Coastal North;
- DART+ Coastal South; and
- DART+ Fleet.
Naturally there is a sequencing to the delivery of these different projects as each sits within the overall programme framework and it is also the case that the success of some of the projects depends on the early delivery of other projects.
Key to the overall programme is the delivery of DART+ West which is the most advanced project. Its early delivery is particularly important due to the new depot to be constructed which will facilitate the huge expansion of the fleet. I understand the second round of public consultation has recently concluded and the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has overall responsibility for the planning and development of the DART+ Programme, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann will now consider submissions received.
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.
328. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of having technology installed in each of the Dublin Bus fleet to accept credit or debit card payments. [50663/21]
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 ticketing technology.
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.
329. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to reports that an airline (details supplied) was used to ferry arms during the conflict in Tigray in view of the recent awarding of a licence to the airline; the checks that will be in place to ensure that such activities are not engaged in the State’s airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50677/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the media reports to which the Deputy’s question refers.
The 1944 Chicago Convention is the main treaty governing international civil aviation. Ireland, Ethiopia, and Eritrea are all parties to this Convention.
Article 35 of the Convention relates to the carriage of munitions of war or implements of war on civil aircraft engaged in international navigation. Under this article, such carriage is prohibited unless permission to do so has been provided by the States concerned.
In Ireland, regulation of the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft is provided for in the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders, 1973 and 1989. Under these orders, the carriage of munitions of war is prohibited on any civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory/airspace and on Irish registered civil aircraft, wherever they may be, unless an exemption for such carriage is granted by the Minister for Transport. In determining whether or not to grant such an exemption, my Department consults with both the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice should there be any foreign policy or security concerns.
Commercial air transport authorisations issued by my Department, including those received by Ethiopian Airlines, detail the obligation on those air operators requiring such an authorisation to comply with the 1973 and 1989 Orders should they intend to carry munitions of war.
330. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish unedited the report commissioned by him from a person (details supplied) that has been with his Department since July 2021; the reason for the delay in its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50740/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraClinchmaritime submitted a report on the review of the organisational structures underpinning marine casualty investigation in Ireland earlier this year in July.
My Department is currently assessing the report and has also sought legal advice in relation to certain aspects of it from the Office of the Attorney General. This legal advice will inform the publication of the report.
Again, subject to the legal advice, Departmental officials will prepare work on a plan of response as soon as possible in order to address the report's recommendations.
331. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the status of the legislation to regulate electric scooters in particular in circumstances in which the scooter is on pedestrian footpaths and the minimum visibility requirements when dark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50849/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy intention is to legislate for e-scooters, in accordance with the Programme for Government. Department officials have drafted the necessary changes to primary legislation as part of the forthcoming Road Traffic and Roads Bill. The Government has approved its publication and it is expected to come before the Oireachtas shortly.
When the Bill is enacted, it will give the Minister for Transport powers to make regulations for the use of e-scooters. These regulations will set out specific conditions of use and minimum standards of safety.
333. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he has had a discussion or meeting with the National Transport Authority over the past two years concerning extending the short hop zone to stations in south County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50964/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares.
I have not had a discussion or meeting with the NTA regarding the matter raised by the Deputy.
Following the establishment of the independent National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
Therefore, 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 ten working days.
334. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered allocating further funding to the 880 local bus link in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50965/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 policy and overall funding in relation to public transport nationally. It also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which now operates under the Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in the matters raised by the Deputy, 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.
335. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider initiating a process to add to the list of states recognised by Ireland for the purpose of providing a driver licence exchange in view of the difficulty in obtaining qualified drivers from outside the State to drive lorries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50985/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland currently has driving licence exchange agreements with 12 countries and six of the 10 provinces of Canada. These countries are known as recognised states for the purposes of exchanging driving licences. Five of the agreements also recognise categories for trucks and buses.
Officials in my Department and the Road Safety Authority, as the licensing authority in Ireland, are already examining the possibility of entering into exchange agreements with other countries. The RSA has also begun engaging with recognised states to examine the possibility of extending current agreements for car licence exchange to include higher categories.
Reaching a driving licence exchange agreement with another country is a comprehensive process, carried out between the statutory licensing authorities in each state. To ensure the safety of road users, such agreements are reached only when the relevant authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the two licensing regimes and are satisfied that they are comparable. If standards and procedures are not comparable, the process does not continue. The exchange agreement process generally takes over a year from initiation to completion, to provide the thoroughness required to ensure the safety of Irish road users.
336. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide additional funds to Offaly County Council for road maintenance projects particularly in view of the fact that many of the existing roads have peat foundations which require above average maintenance work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51030/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide additional funds to Laois County Council for road maintenance projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51031/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra338. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if specific funding is available for local authorities in counties Laois and Offaly that wish to engage in road widening works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51032/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 336 to 338, inclusive, together.
The 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 Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
As regards funding for road maintenance projects in Laois and Offaly, within the budget available to the Department, funding is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to eligible local authorities. In this context, grants in the main grant categories are allocated based on the length of the road network within a local authority's area of responsibility with some account taken of traffic.
Funding is not yet at the level needed for the adequate protection and renewal of regional and local roads and so for this reason, the primary focus for capital investment under the revised National Development Plan continues to be the protection and renewal of the network with some limited investment in road improvement projects. Allocations for 2022 will be notified to local authorities early next year.
There has been and continues to be ongoing discussion between the Department and Offaly County Council in relation to roads which are built over peat. Separate to the normal grants for road maintenance / rehabilitation works, Offaly County Council requested funding for an investigation scheme in 2019 to determine the extent and depth of peat underlying certain key regional routes in the county. This information is essential in order to determine the most cost effective way of overcoming the ongoing problems with these roads. The Department agreed to an investigation scheme and as it progressed the Department made payments to the Council of €165,000 in 2019, €26,967 in 2020 and has provided an allocation of €40,000 in 2021.
These grants have allowed a significant number of site investigation works to be carried out (more than 300 boreholes, nearly 100 dynamic probes and more than 50 window samples). The Council is currently preparing drawings detailing the extent of the peat underlying the key regional roads and will report to the Department on the findings in 2021.
The report will outline the results of the investigation scheme along with feasible solutions and cost estimates based on the Council’s experience of such works on national roads. Upon receipt of the report the Department will discuss with the Council the choices and costs in terms of rehabilitation works on roads over peat and how targeted interventions can best be accommodated in terms of the funding available to the Council under the Department’s investment programmes.
As regards the funding available to Laois and Offaly County Councils for road widening works, any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific Grant Programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and the Department's Capital Appraisal Framework (CAF). Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
As 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 maintenance and improvement 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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the current status of national roads in Laois and Offaly.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
