Written Answers Nos. 205-227
205. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter regarding the Local Link service in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54004/21]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, 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.
206. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered the report on the future of the western rail corridor; and the action he will take in respect of a Sligo to Limerick route. [54015/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will know, I stated my commitment to conduct a Strategic Rail Review, and this has been commenced.
The rail network on the island of Ireland will be strategically reviewed with a view to improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities, enhancing regional accessibility and balanced regional development and it will also consider rail connectivity to our international gateways, with the latter considering the role of rail freight.
The potential scope for improved rail services along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network such as that mentioned will also be included in the scope of the review with consideration given to the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Western Rail Corridor.
I look forward to the completion of this Strategic Rail Review which will provide an objective, evidence informed perspective to the future of rail on the island of Ireland.
207. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the status of the N/M20 Cork to Limerick project; the steps to be taken going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54069/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the work that has been undertaken and completed in respect of the N/M20 Cork to Limerick project in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54070/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.
As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and 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 requirements of the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. As part of this process, I understand that the proposed N/M20 project is currently undergoing route option analysis, with a proposed route to be earmarked by early next year. For more information, TII is best placed to advise you.
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.
209. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers that used Dublin Bus Route 84x in each direction in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54076/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters.
The query raised is an operational matter for Dublin Bus. Accordingly, I have referred 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.
210. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers that used Bus Éireann Route 133 Wicklow to Dublin Airport, in each direction in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54077/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters.
The query raised is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. Accordingly, I have referred 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.
211. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the Port of Cork to vacate the Tivoli site in order to allow the site to be redeveloped for housing and transport needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54103/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the current housing crisis I have asked all of the agencies under my remit, including the port companies, to examine their land holdings to identify land that might be released for housing. In reviewing the option of port land for housing, ports must in the first instance ensure that they deliver sufficient port capacity and connectivity to underpin our economy and also consider the facilitation of other priorities such as the accommodation of rail freight to the port and the facilitation of offshore renewable energy.
As the Deputy is aware, work has been ongoing for some time on the redevelopment of the port facilities at Ringaskiddy. With the completion of the new container terminal at Ringaskiddy, the container shipping business will begin to transition out of Tivoli over the coming years, commencing in 2022.
Due to capacity constraints on the existing N28 single lane road linking Ringaskiddy to the Jack Lynch Tunnel, An Bord Pleanála imposed limits on the ultimate capacity of this new terminal until the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road is built and the Dunkettle Interchange is completed.
In line with Project Ireland 2040, the Dunkettle Interchange Project is on target for completion in 2024 and the Cork to Ringaskiddy project has now proceeded to the Advanced Works Stage.
Seveso and chemical importation activities currently located at Tivoli will also need to be relocated before the Tivoli site becomes a fully viable development site.
Overall, this means that the Tivoli Port site will have a role to play in container shipping for a number of years to come. In the meantime, the Port of Cork Company has confirmed its support for the redevelopment of Tivoli in line with the Government Policy objectives set out in the National Planning Framework – Ireland 2040. It is continuing to progress plans for the development of Tivoli and have already received ERDF funding to assist in this work.
In addition, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy sets out the framework for investment for the provision of Public Transport Implementation over the next 20 years in Cork and includes recommendations with regard to a Cork Commuter Rail Programme.
The National Development Plan states that Phase I will be completed by 2026 as part of Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan and also commits to Phase II implementation over the latter period of the NDP. Phase II includes the potential development of a number of new stations , including at Tivoli, as set out in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy.
212. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons in each of the past five years who have temporarily or permanently surrendered their driving licence due to a medical condition (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54258/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the National Driver License Service, I am forwarding the Deputy's query to them for direct reply.
If the Deputy has not received a response within 10 working days he should contact my office directly.
213. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport if will consider expanding the eligibility criteria for the young adult travel card scheme to include private bus and coach operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54468/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra214. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the reason for a decision to exclude private bus operators from the new young adult travel card scheme which was recently announced as part of Budget 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54470/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra219. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider expanding the scope of eligibility for the young adult travel card scheme to include private bus and coach operators in order to avoid the exclusion of young persons living outside large urban areas in which public transport is not readily available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54597/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 214 and 219 together.
As 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.
Following the establishment of the 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.
As part of Budget 2022, I secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a youth travel card (YTC). The YTC will allow any person nationwide who is between 19 and 23 years old to avail of an entitlement for discounted travel costs and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount to an average discount of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services.
The NTA have commenced work in relation to the implementation of the new fares structures for young adults. I have therefore forwarded the Deputies questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
215. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene in the ongoing issues between the Irish Coast Guard management and volunteers which has resulted in the Doolin branch being taken off the board and left that area with no operational search and rescue service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54525/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe temporary standing down of Doolin Coast Guard Unit operations is a proportionate response having regard to ongoing attempts to address the unfortunate differences that have existed within the unit and their impact on the unit. Equally, the recent resignations of several Doolin Coast Guard volunteers have contributed to this decision.
The key objective is to ensure the safety of the volunteers. The action is being taken in compliance with the SAR Assurance obligations set out in the National SAR Plan. In the meantime, the Coast Guard is deploying various contingencies based on an assessment of risk. All other Coast Guard Units, shoreline and cliff rescue services remain in place, along with the 4 Search and Rescue Coast Guard helicopters. The RNLI, Community Rescue Boats, and Naval services will continue to assist particularly in those areas of greatest risk until the issue has been resolved.
The Irish Coast Guard is committed to supporting the near 900 dedicated volunteers who help provide the important and life-saving services of the IRCG. Ongoing consultation with the Coast Guard volunteers is key to the success of the Coast Guard. For this reason, Coast Guard volunteers have for some time had a representative body called the Coastal Unit Advisory Group. This Group represents Irish Coast Guard volunteers and provides advice and input to the Coast Guard under agreed terms of reference between management and the volunteers. This Group meets regularly and are involved in working with Coast Guard management to deliver a world class service while protecting the safety and wellbeing of the volunteers within the Coast Guard units.
I have been in touch with the Group and arrangements are currently being finalised for me to meet with the Group shortly.
The Irish Coast Guard will continue to offer support to all those affected by this event, and with the aim to strengthen the unit’s management structure, provide relevant training and mediation services as may be required, and return the unit to operational readiness as quickly as practicable.
216. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 23 June 2021, if further consideration has been given to the fact that although there have been no complaints lodged by full-time professionals of the Irish Coast Guard, there is no effective mechanism to record complaints or grievances by volunteers. [54526/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe doctrinal document in relation to HR-related matters involving the volunteers is the IRCG Code of Conduct. In 2019, IRCG completed a review of this Code which includes the Grievances and Appeals procedure. This review was done with the assistance of an external HR consultancy in order to ensure its procedures were fair and fit for purpose for an organisation like the IRCG with over 900 volunteers. This review also involved a consultation process involving the volunteers which was managed through the Coastal Unit Advisory Group (CUAG) - the representative structure for the volunteers.
The result of this review was a new Volunteer Code which was launched in November 2019 with a programme of training rolled out over the course of 2019 to ensure the process and procedures were clearly understood and implemented correctly and uniformly.
The Coast Guard's Code was recently reviewed by an external professional HR consultancy and its procedures are deemed to be best practice. In the event of difficult HR cases external professional advice is sought to assist with the cases and adherence with procedures and also to provide mediation or team building and training on HR management.
217. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport the evidence he has on measures taken by his Department to resolve the ongoing issues reported by volunteers of the Irish Coast Guard against the management and governance structures. [54527/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is committed to supporting the near 900 dedicated volunteers who help provide the important and life-saving services of the IRCG. In regard to representation within the volunteer cadre of the Coast Guard, the Coastal Unit Advisory Group has been in existence for over 20 years. The Coastal Unit Advisory Group (CUAG) is the dedicated body in place, made up of elected volunteers and full time staff to represent the interests of the Coast Guard volunteers. Recent press coverage includes accounts of volunteers who have either been dismissed from the organisation or have resigned. While managing nearly 900 volunteers HR issues are bound to arise. The Coast Guard's Code was recently reviewed by an external professional HR consultancy and its procedures are deemed to be best practice. In the event of difficult HR cases external professional advice is sought to assist with the cases and adherence with procedures and also to provide mediation or team building and training on HR management.
I have been in touch with the Group above and arrangements are currently being finalised for me to meet with the Group shortly.
218. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric State vehicles as a percentage of the overall number of State-owned vehicles as at 31 August 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54593/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of state-owned vehicles licensed on 31 August 2021 is 12,413, of which 186 (1.5%) are electric vehicles.
220. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the savings made since the downgrading of the cliff rescue element of the Irish Coast Guard station based in Bunbeg, Letterkenny, County Donegal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54600/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of Irish Coast Guard cliff rescue services in Donegal is currently provided by the Greencastle, Mulroy and Killybegs Coast Guard Units. There is also an ability to transport any of these three units to an island on the Sligo based Coast Guard Rescue helicopter. There are currently 17 strategically placed Coast Guard units around the coast who provide cliff rescue capabilities. There has been further development of these units in recent years with the issuing of new equipment.
A Value for Money review of the Coast Guard service, published in 2012, recommended the continuation of boat and shoreline rescue service and cessation of cliff training for the Bunbeg unit which is twinned with Tory Island. The strategic decision was to retain cliff rescue services in neighbouring CGUs, Mulroy and Killybegs. The recommendation arose principally because of the non-utilisation of the cliff service balanced against the safety considerations of delivering a highly technical and intrinsically hazardous activity.
The Coast Guard, having monitored the demand for cliff rescue services has noted that the level of call outs responded to by Bunbeg / Tory Island CGU does not justify the maintenance of a cliff rescue service. For a CGU to engage in a high risk activity that demands a high level of resources in terms of training time, equipment and supervision, the benefits must clearly outweigh the risks. The maintenance of a cliff rescue team has been deprioritised, thus enabling the unit to concentrate on its boat rescue and shoreline search operations, which are regularly called into action. The investment which my Department has made in the Coast Guard rescue helicopter services has mitigated some of the demands for cliff rescue services.
The Coast Guard does not have unit or location specific records but continue to monitor all available data on a regular basis.
221. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the efforts that are being made to ensure that the measures announced by France in retaliation against the UK in relation to the fisheries dispute will not impact the use of the land bridge for hauliers coming to and from Ireland to the mainland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54647/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe potential for disruption for hauliers using the GB landbridge is a matter of concern.
Dialogue between France and the UK is continuing this week. Ireland supports all efforts to resolve this issue and the Minister for Foreign Affairs is in touch with the French Government, in particular with regard to any impact possible French measures might have on Irish trade across the UK landbridge. Officials in my Department and in the Department of Foreign Affairs are monitoring the situation closely and my Department remains in contact with the haulage sector on this issue.
222. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if public bodies under his aegis and bodies publicly funded by his Department have a procurement policy which includes consideration of obligations under section 27 of the Disability Act 2005; if such procurement is audited for compliance with section 27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54658/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions highlighted by the Deputy refer to public bodies, as defined by Section 2 of the Disability Act 2005.
I have referred your question to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
223. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the details of all bodies in receipt of direct grant assistance from his Department that are not public bodies for the purposes of the Disability Act 2005; the amount each body is in receipt of each year from 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54659/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of direct grant assistance from my Department to all bodies that are not public bodies for the purposes of the Disability Act 2005 are set out below.
Regional Airports Programme
The Department provides financial support to Ireland’s smallest airports i.e. those that handle less than 1 million annual passengers under a Regional Airports Programme (RAP). A new Programme for the period 2021 to 2025 was published on 4th February 2021. The budget for the RAP in 2021 is €21.3m and the airports that will benefit from related supports are Donegal, Kerry and Ireland West. In addition to targeting funding at safety and security projects and activities, the scope of the new programme has been expanded to encourage airports to reduce emissions and build climate resilience.
Allocations for each airport have yet to be determined this year. In addition to RAP funding, these airports are also receiving support in 2021 through a State aid support scheme to help address liquidity issues at airports as a result of COVID-19. As part of this package, up to €6m is available to the same airports. Total funding allocations will be determined shortly following the completion of an assessment of airports' financial forecasts for 2021.
Emergency Subvention
Waterford Airport had been eligible for funding under the previous RAP, up until 2016 when all remaining scheduled flights ceased at the airport. In order to avoid liquidation, the airport sought emergency subvention from the Department of Transport in December 2017. Between 2018 and 2020 four emergency payments of €375k each were provided, outside of the RAP, to the airport in order to allow time for the consideration of future options at the airport, including a proposal to expand its runway.
|
- |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Donegal |
€807,909 |
€667,874 |
€896,043 |
€1,512,858 |
€826,105 |
TBD |
|
Kerry |
€937,557 |
€1,657,991 |
€2,385,694 |
€3,196,287 |
€2,655,506 |
TBD |
|
Knock |
€2,933,414 |
€3,199,355 |
€4,176,106 |
€9,482,903 |
€2,236,894 |
TBD |
|
Waterford |
€1,038,596 |
€0 |
€750,000 |
€375,000 |
€375,000 |
€0 |
TBD: To be determined. While initial allocations were announced during April and July, additional applications for both capital and operational support are under consideration with funding allocations due to be determined shortly.
Mountain Rescue and Community Boat Rescue Groups
My Department provides grants to mountain rescue and community boat rescue groups. Details of the grants provided in the years 2016 to 2021 are provided below:
|
Organisation |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Donegal Mountain Rescue Team |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€22,210 |
€22,210 |
€22,210 |
|
Dublin & Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team |
€14,815 |
€14,815 |
€14,815 |
€32,155 |
€32,155 |
€32,155 |
|
Galway Mountain Rescue |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€18,130 |
€18,130 |
€18,130 |
|
Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue |
€14,815 |
€14,815 |
€14,815 |
€32,410 |
€32,410 |
€32,410 |
|
Irish Cave Rescue Organisation ICRO |
€18,520 |
€18,520 |
€18,520 |
€20,000 |
€20,000 |
€20,000 |
|
Kerry Mountain Rescue |
€14,815 |
€14,815 |
€14,815 |
€21,700 |
€21,700 |
€21,700 |
|
Mayo Mountain Rescue |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€25,525 |
€25,525 |
€25,525 |
|
Mountain Rescue Ireland (Development Grant) |
€60,000 |
€60,000 |
€60,000 |
€64,000 |
€64,000 |
|
|
Mountain Rescue Ireland |
€18,520 |
€20,000 |
€20,000 |
€20,000 |
||
|
Search And Rescue Dog Association |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€19,405 |
€19,405 |
€19,405 |
|
South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€20,935 |
€20,935 |
€20,935 |
|
Sligo Leitrim Mountain Rescue Team |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€7,407 |
€17,620 |
€17,620 |
€17,620 |
|
Tramore Cliff & Mountain Rescue |
€3,704 |
€3,704 |
||||
|
Ballinskelligs Inshore Rescue Ltd |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
|
Ballybunion Community Rescue Boats |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
|
Banna Community Rescue Boats Ireland |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
|
Bantry Community Rescue Boats Ireland |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
|
Bonmahon Community Boats Rescue |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
|
Cahore Community Rescue Boats Ireland |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
|
Corrib Mask Community Rescue Boats |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
|
Derrynane Community Rescue Boats |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
|
Limerick Marine Search & Rescue Service |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
|
Tramore Community Rescue Boats Ireland |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
|
|
Waterford CRBI unit-waterford City River |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
€5,075 |
224. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if all public bodies under his aegis and all bodies publicly funded by his Department are in compliance with the Web Accessibility Directive (EU 2016/2102) with regard to web sites from 23 September 2020 and mobile apps from 23 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54660/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provisions highlighted by the Deputy refer to public bodies, as defined by Section 2 of the Disability Act 2005.
I have referred your question to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
225. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the action that will be taken by his Department for any public body or any publicly funded body under his aegis which is non-compliant with accessibility requirements under the 2005 disability and equality legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54663/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth the Disability Act 2005 and Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 provide for complaints mechanisms for those who consider that they have not been able to access relevant services.
Under the 2005 Disability Act, public bodies must appoint “inquiry officers” to process complaints about any failure by a public body to provide access as required by the Act. Any person who is not satisfied with the outcome of a complaint made may appeal to the Ombudsman. Under the legislation, the Ombudsman is given powers to investigate any failure by a public body to comply with the access requirements of Part 3 of the Act.
The Workplace Relations Commission is the adjudicator in cases under the Equal Status Acts.
Information in relation to the Department of Transport’s Accessibility Work Programme is available at www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/705a02-accessibility-in-transport/.
226. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the practice within the Road Safety Authority of not renewing contracts for staff who have almost reached three years' service and replacing them with new staff thereby incurring additional training costs and loss of staff experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54664/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if driver testers employed by the Road Safety Authority are being classified as self-employed contractors; the percentage of the Authority’s driver tester workforce who are classified as such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54665/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra228. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if contracts for new driver testers for the Road Safety Authority will have to go through a public procurement procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54666/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 226 to 228, inclusive, together.
In order to deal with the backlog in driving tests created by Covid, the RSA received approval in 2020 to rehire 36 temporary testers. In addition, the RSA received sanction to hire 40 additional testers on a temporary basis to assist with the backlogs. These new testers have completed their training and are now conducting live tests since July 2021. Sanction has also been granted to recruit a further 40 testers.
Procedures require approval for hiring of staff from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and we have responded to the needs of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) by giving the approvals mentioned. However, the RSA is the employer of driver testers, not the Department and the contractual terms are a matter for the RSA.
