Tuesday, 7 Dec 2021

Written Answers Nos. 168-190

Ferry Services

Ceisteanna (168)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

168. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the responsible State regulatory body with oversight for the safe operation of all ferry companies providing services in the State subsidised or otherwise to island communities; the inspections and checks such a body undertakes to ensure that safety measures of such operators are fully compliant with the regulations including the accurate accounting for passenger numbers on each ferry trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59925/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Merchant Shipping Act, 1992, as amended, is the primary legislation relevant to the operation of passenger ships and passenger boats operating on domestic voyages in Ireland. Passenger ships are required to undergo annual surveys undertaken by the Marine Survey Office (MSO) for the issue of a Passenger Ship Certificate. For passenger boats, the requirement is for a biennial inspection by the MSO for the issue of a passenger boat licence. Depending on the area of operation and size of vessels etc. other regulatory requirements may apply.

In relation to the recording of persons onboard passenger ships, Council Directive 98/41/EC, as amended, sets out the requirements for the registration of persons sailing on board passenger ships operating to or from ports of the Member States. This Directive is transposed in Ireland by the European Union (Registration of Persons Sailing on board Passenger Ships) Regulations 2019. Operators of seagoing passenger ships are also required to have in place a safety management system.

In addition to the scheduled annual surveys, the MSO carries out unscheduled inspections of passenger vessels whilst they are in service, especially during the busy summer period, at which time compliance with operational safety requirements is checked.

Social Enterprise Sector

Ceisteanna (169)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

169. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the level of funding to be provided by his Department in 2022 for the promotion and support of the social enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59947/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

While my Department supports the objectives of the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019 - 2022, it does not provide funding for the promotion and support of the social enterprise sector and will not, as a consequence, be providing any funds to this area in 2022. If specific proposals directly related to the Department's remit were received then we would of course consider these on a case by case basis.

Driver Test

Ceisteanna (170)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

170. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) can resit a theory test on a weekend. [59996/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

All enquires relating to driver theory test are handled by the Driver Theory Test Service, provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). My Department does not have access to individual applications.

I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

School Transport

Ceisteanna (171)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

171. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the reason the 77* bus, which is a special school bus, did not run on 29 or 30 November 2021 with parents being informed by Dublin Bus that it will not run all week. [60047/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Aviation Industry

Ceisteanna (172)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

172. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the reason a category A aircraft maintenance licence was not provided from the Irish Aviation Authority to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if this person can now receive their aircraft engineer mechanic experience logbook back from the IAA given that they require same to access employment in another European country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60063/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

This is a matter for the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) as the competent authority for aviation safety regulation in Ireland.

The Deputy's question has been referred to the IAA for a direct reply.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Ferry Services

Ceisteanna (173, 174)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

173. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the efforts being made to secure more direct shipping routes between Ireland and the continent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60087/21]

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

174. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the efforts that are being made to encourage Irish exports to switch to direct shipping routes between Ireland and the continent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60088/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.

I propose answering parliamentary questions 60087 and 60088 together.

My Department, in conjunction with the IMDO, have been keeping the issue of direct shipping routes to the Continent under close review both in the context of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since January 2019, my Department has had very regular discussions with shipping companies and other maritime stakeholders about the issue of maritime connectivity. In that time, we have consistently received strong assurances from the shipping companies that if there is an increase in demand for shipping capacity on direct routes to Continental Europe, they would respond.

In the run up to 1 January 2021, my Department, with the IMDO and other key Departments, undertook a major communications campaign, urging business using the UK landbridge to consider a switch to direct routes to avoid disruptions due to the new control regimes.

We witnessed throughout 2020 and 2021 an unprecedented response from the shipping industry in terms of increasing capacity to match market demand. It has occurred across all relevant modes and has drawn from all available responses. These responses include (1) utilization of surplus capacity, (2) increasing capacity by altering schedules, (3) redeploying vessels within their fleets, and (4) adding new capacity in the form of additional vessels. New/additional direct ferry links with increased capacity including to Cherbourg, Dunkerque, Zeebrugge, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Roscoff and Santander have come on stream and are seeing high demand. These responses and the new services launched over this and last year (see further below), demonstrate the commitment of the shipping companies to the Irish market. With the significant investment involved, it is clear that the companies see opportunities to expand their services and grow their market share. This is key to Ireland in terms of maximising our maritime connectivity to underpin our economy.

Overall weekly RoRo freight is up on direct routes to the Continent while it is down on Great Britain (GB)/Ireland routes. As noted in the IMDO’s Unitised Traffic Report Q3 2021, by the end of Q3, one third of all roll-on roll-off (RoRo) traffic in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) operated on direct routes to ports in the European Union (EU), up from a 16% share held throughout 2019. In the first nine months of 2021, ROI-EU traffic was already 52% above its annual total for all of 2019. Q3 2021 was the second busiest on record for these direct routes, surpassed only by Q2 2021. The IMDO report notes that traffic to GB has declined significantly since January 2021; in Q3, RoRo traffic from ROI to GB fell by 20% compared to Q3 2019. In the first nine months of this 2021, ROI-GB traffic declined 25% compared to 2019.

In terms of RoRo capacity, Irish importer and exporters have benefitted from a significant increase in the choice of direct EU services in 2021. At the end of Q3, after the sector responded to a surge in “direct demand”, there were 13 different direct EU RoRo services available to Irish businesses, compared to 6 in 2019. In total, there are now over 60 weekly RoRo services to and from the EU available, an increase of about 36 sailings on 2019 levels.

There have been 27 separate interventions, as set out below, by RoRo+ load-on load-off (LoLo) freight operators in the past 19 months in response to Brexit.

	OPERATOR	ROUTE	INTERVENTION	DATE
1	CLDN	Cork – Zeebrugge	New Service	May-2020
2	CLDN	Santander – Liverpool – Dublin	New Service	June 2020
3	ICL (LOLO)	Cork – USA	New Service	June 2020
4	BG Freightline (LOLO)	Waterford – Liverpool – Rotterdam	New Service	July 2020
5	CLDN	Leixoes – Dublin – Liverpool	New Service	September 2020
6	CMA-CGM (LO/LO)	Dublin – Rotterdam and Cork – Dunkirk	New Service	November 2020
7	Irish Ferries	Dublin – Cherbourg	Schedule Change	January 2021 – 7 day rotation
8	Stena Line	Rosslare – Cherbourg	Schedule Change	January 2021 – 7 day rotation
9	Stena Line	Rosslare – Cherbourg	Additional Vessel	January 2021
10	DFDS/EURoRo	Rosslare – Dunkirk	New Service	January 2020
11	CLDN	Cork – Zeebrugge	Additional Vessel	January 2021
12	Eucon	Dublin – Rotterdam	Additional Vessel	January 2021
13	Brittany Ferries	Cork – Roscoff	Additional Vessel	March 2021
14	Brittany Ferries	Rosslare – Cherbourg	New Service	January 2021
15	Stena Line	Dublin – Cherbourg	New Service	January 2021
16	Irish Ferries	Dublin – Cherbourg	Additional Vessel (Temporary)	January 2021
17	Irish Ferries	Dublin – Cherbourg	Vessel Change (WB Yeats)	January 2021
18	Samskip	Dublin – Amsterdam	New Service	January 2021
19	Stena Line	Rosslare – Cherbourg	Vessel Change (Embla)	January 2021
20	CLDN	Dublin – Rotterdam	Vessel Change	January 2021
21	Brittany Ferries	Rosslare – St Malo	New Service	February 2021
22	Brittany Ferries	Cork – Roscoff	New Service	February 2021
23	CLDN	Dublin – ZeebruggeDublin – Rotterdam	Increase of frequency	May 2021
24	Grimaldi	Cork – Antwerp	New Service	May 2021
25	Unifeeder	Cork – Southampton	New Service	June 2021
26	Grimaldi	Cork – Zeebrugge	New Service	August 2021
27	Brittany Ferries	Rosslare – Le Havre	New Service	November 2021

As shipping operators compete to understand new demand patterns, the market is currently in a state of dynamism, with a new equilibrium yet to be found. If demand arises, operators have proved they stand ready to respond as necessary.

I also wish to assure the Deputy that my officials and I will continue to keep in close contact with the shipping companies to monitor the situation and assist where possible.

Question No. 174 answered with Question No. 173.

Haulage Industry

Ceisteanna (175)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

175. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the efforts that are being made to alleviate the shortage of HGV drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60089/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I am keenly aware of the difficulties caused by the shortage of HGV drivers, given that the road haulage sector has a highly important role in our economy. The HGV driver shortage is a challenge here in Ireland and throughout Europe. It is a multifaceted issue with a range of different contributing factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has clearly had a significant impact on the labour market for many sectors.

My Department established the National Logistics and Supply Chain Skills Group in 2019, the key objective of which is to support the promotion of careers, skills development and sustainable employment in the logistics and supply chain sectors in Ireland. The Group includes haulage and logistics sector industry representatives, education and training providers and all of the relevant Government Departments and Agencies. I have asked the Group to examine the HGV driver shortage issue and to make recommendations, which I expect to receive shortly.

The promotion of education, training, careers and sustainable employment in the sector is crucial, along with skills development and career progression for existing workers. My Department has engaged with the Department of Social Protection (DSP), which has dedicated employer relations teams offering a range of supports and services to employers to fill vacancies including recruitment campaigns, specialised jobs fairs and through the online portal JobsIreland.ie.

I understand that the DSP organises recruitment events in the EU/EEA labour market for sectors where there are particularly acute labour shortages and that it will run a transport-focused event early in the new year. My Department will engage with industry to promote the event.

HGV drivers from outside the EU/EEA must have a valid employment permit and a visa, if coming from a visa-required state as defined by the Department of Justice. Following engagement with my colleague Minister of State English at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the quota for employment permits for HGV drivers from outside the EU/EEA has been removed. These drivers must also exchange their HGV driver licences for an Irish licence. Ireland has licence exchange agreements with several countries and the Road Safety Authority, which oversees these agreements, is engaging with a number of other countries with a view to progressing further licence exchange agreements.

Regarding driver testing in Ireland, in the 4 weeks prior to December 1st, an average of 153 tests for HGV drivers were carried out by RSA testers each week, with a pass rate of almost 75%. This means that 114 HGV drivers were qualified on average each week.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to publish a 10-year strategy for the haulage sector. The Government’s aim is to develop a strategy that will focus on generating efficiencies and improving standards, and helping the sector move to a low-carbon future. I remain mindful of the driver and skills shortage facing the sector, and a section of the Haulage Strategy will focus on this.

Minister Ryan and I will continue to proactively engage with the freight transport, distribution and logistics sectors and the Government remains committed to continuing to support the industry.

Haulage Industry

Ceisteanna (176)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

176. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the number of qualified HGV drivers there are currently in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60090/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I will ask my officials to provide the information to the Deputy when is it obtained.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

Currently, there are approximately 51,261 drivers with a valid truck Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) card (drivers with truck only or dual (bus and truck)).

Haulage Industry

Ceisteanna (177)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

177. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the number of HGV driving licences that were issued in Ireland in each of the years from 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60091/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I will ask my officials to provide the information to the Deputy when is it obtained.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

HGV vehicles are those vehicles with a total weight above 3,500kg and the corresponding licence categories are C, CE, C1 and C1E. The number of distinct full licences issued with one or more of these categories in the years requested are as follows:

2015: 31,430

2016: 31,315

2017: 30,526

2018: 43,277

2019: 49,640

2020: 43,338

2021 (YTD): 40,897

Total: 270,423

Due to complexities around the issuance and renewal of licences that include categories of varying duration, the total number of current licences with a HGV category (311,773) does not tally with the sum of distinct licences that had a HGV category applied in the last 5 years (270,423).

A driving licence is usually issued for 10 years for a car category, but a C, CE, C1 and C1E category will expire after 5 years. This means that the number of driving licences issued for these truck categories will be greater than the number of holders. For example, a driving licence issued in 2014 will have been renewed again in 2019, but the licence will be for the same driver. Each time a truck category is added on to a driving licence, the truck category is issued for 5 years and the licence is extended by 10 years for the car category. While the current term of newly issued HGV licence categories is 5 years, this was only reduced from 10 years in 2013.

The figures provided above are based on the data available on the National Vehicle and Driver File.

Aviation Industry

Ceisteanna (178)

Brian Leddin

Ceist:

178. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the nature of Ireland’s engagement with the International Civil Aviation Organization in relation to reduction in international civil aviation emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60129/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention) adopted in 1944, established a framework of rules and best practice for the operation of civil aviation internationally, It also established the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), an agency of the United Nations charged with coordinating and regulating international air transport. Ireland is a signatory to the Chicago Convention and the Convention was given effect in domestic law through the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1946.

In relation to reducing international civil aviation emissions, Annex 16 of the convention deals with Environmental Protection. The Council of ICAO develops Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for implementation by the signatory States. Whilst SARPs are not mandatory, their development usually leads to changes in domestic, or in Ireland’s case, EU law which is then enacted in national legislation. ICAO’s sustainability strategy includes four main pillars including aircraft technology improvements, operational improvements, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and market-based measures (CORSIA). EU policy is broadly derived from this basket of measures.

EU Member States coordinate positions around the development of policy at ICAO level. In practice this entails the adoption of common EU positions at the ICAO Council and the Triennial Assembly. Some of the recent EU Fit for 55 proposals such as the ReFuelEU Initiative, which aims to increase the use of SAFs across the Union, and the Revision of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for Aviation Directive which will incorporate CORSIA (ICAO’s global emission reduction and offsetting scheme) and the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS) are reflective of the EU’s interpretation of the ICAO Basket of Measures.

Ireland, along with all other EU Member States, has opted to participate in CORSIA from the pilot phase beginning in 2021. This process involves reporting emissions data and offsetting requirements for Irish airlines directly to ICAO by the Department of Transport through an online system known as the CORSIA Central Registry (CCR). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for CORSIA data collection from airlines and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has responsibility for much of the technical environmental reporting to ICAO.

Whilst Ireland for the most part develops its policy response to ICAO with EU partners, it is also a member of ABIS, the joint representation to ICAO of Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland. ABIS experts contribute to much of the work undertaken by ICAO panels, committees and study groups. Currently the Netherland holds the ABIS chair and the ABIS representative is a member of ICAO’s Council and participates in the Climate and Environment Committee (CEC) of the Council.

ICAO contracting states are invited to submit a State Action for Aviation Emissions Reduction every two years. Ireland last submitted this plan in 2019 and will submit the latest iteration by year’s end. Again, much of this plan comprises common measures that are taken at EU level.

Comharthaí Bóthair

Ceisteanna (179)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

179. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Iompair cur síos a dhéanamh ar an scéim phíolótach do shíneacha tráchta curtha ar bun cúpla bliain ó shin ag an Roinn maidir le feiceálacht na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn, mar a thagair an tAire Stáit Gaeltachta dó le linn na díospóireachta ar Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2019 sa Seanad le déanaí, agus cén fáth nár leanadh leis an scéim sin. [60177/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport (Deputy Eamon Ryan)

Mar Aire Iompair táim freagrach as foriomlán beartais agus maoiniú maidir leis an gClár Náisiúnta Bóithre. Faoi na hAchtanna um Bóithre 1993-2015 agus de réir an Phlean Forbartha Náisiúnta (PFN), is faoi Bonneagar Iompair Éireann (BIÉ) atá bainistíocht agus oibriú bóithre náisiúnta, i gcomhar leis na húdaráis áitiúla lena mbaineann sé. Tá sé seo faoi réir na gceaduithe reachtúla riachtanacha freisin. Mar a iarradh ar BIÉ (ar a tugadh an tÚdarás Náisiúnta Bóithre ag an am) an scéim seo a phíolótú, sa chomhthéacs seo, is fearr leo an cheist seo a fhreagairt.

Iarraim ar an Teachta teagmháil a dhéanamh le m’oifig phríobháideach, mura bhfaigheann sé freagra laistigh de 10 lá oibre.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (180)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

180. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will apply sanctions on airline and ferry companies that fail to verify inbound passengers are in receipt of a valid professional antigen test; and the way in which he will enforce this rule. [60300/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant business impact on carriers. Throughout the pandemic they have kept chains open to ensure vital supplies such as vaccines were delivered to this country. Carriers have been dealing with rapidly changing rules and regulations for many different countries throughout the world, checking multiple non-standard documents. In view of this I do not believe sanctions would be workable or welcome.

Currently carriers are obliged to check passengers have completed an electronic Passenger Locator Form and, unless exempt, have a negative/non-detected test result. Carriers have been very cooperative and passengers are being denied boarding if they cannot provide the required documentation. Passengers may also be subject to checking on arrival by border management, where penalties for non-compliance may be applied.

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (181, 182)

Martin Browne

Ceist:

181. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport the timeline regarding the development of a strategic freight terminal at Limerick Junction railway station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60325/21]

Martin Browne

Ceist:

182. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Transport if the Rail Freight 2040 Strategy and the results of the all-island Strategic Rail Review will be designed to complement each other in terms of rail freight and passenger rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60326/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 182 together.

I believe that rail can play a greater role in the movement of goods on the island of Ireland.

The Strategic Rail Review will consider the potential for rail freight along with an examination on how to improve sustainable connectivity between the major cities, enhance regional accessibility, support balanced regional development and improve rail connectivity to our international gateways.

The Review will consider the potential scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network including disused and closed lines.

Included in the Review will be an extensive examination of relevant policy and strategy documentation affecting rail in Ireland, including of course Iarnród Éireann’s recently published Rail Freight 2040 Strategy, including its proposed development of freight terminals over the next 10 – 15 years. I see both pieces of work being very much complementary with the commercial perspective of Iarnród Éireann’s analysis to be supported by the broader strategic perspective of the Review taking into account the potential of all-island freight movements also.

The Review will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years and will provide a framework to develop a much-improved rail network in the years ahead.

The Review's public consultation is open until 21st January 2022 and I would encourage all interested parties to participate.

Question No. 182 answered with Question No. 181.

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (183)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

183. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport when the DART extension to Drogheda, County Louth is expected to be delivered; the original delivery date for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60327/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The DART+ Programme comprises five different, but complementary, projects of which DART+ Coastal North is one. For the Deputy's information, 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 projects depends on the early delivery of others.

Of the five projects, DART+ West and DART+ Fleet are the most advanced and I am seeking Government approval this week to allow DART+ West enter the statutory planning system and also allow a contract to be signed in relation to DART+ Fleet. DART+ South West is the next most advanced of the infrastructure projects with the second round of non-statutory public consultation underway in relation to it and I expect that project will enter the statutory planning system during 2022.

Design consultants have already been appointed to the DART+ Coastal North project and next year will see the start of the non-statutory public consultation processes in relation to the project, as has been happening this year with DART+ West and DART+ South West. These non-statutory consultation periods are an important input into the planning and design of the project and I’d encourage all interested stakeholders to contribute to those debates on DART+ Coastal North next year.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (184)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

184. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 specifically in relation to the issuing of driver licences to applicants for international protection that is, asylum seekers which is currently not permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60362/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

As set out in the Programme for Government, the Government is acting to improve conditions for people in the International Protection Programme, including access to the driving licence system. However, a number of legal, administrative and technical issues need to be resolved to achieve this.

Provisions in the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, to be introduced at Committee Stage, will provide legal clarity for such applications. The Bill was introduced to the Dáil on 10 November 2021.

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (185)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

185. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport if Irish Rail plans to run a campaign early in 2022 in the print media and on social media to remind drivers of the serious consequences such as fines and imprisonment and so on for striking level crossings and bridges. [60370/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the 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.

The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann 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.

Dublin Bus

Ceisteanna (186)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

186. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of times Dublin Bus routes were curtailed due to antisocial behaviour by individual bus routes and by month in each of the past two years in tabular form. [60371/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the 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.

The issue raised is an operational 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.

Road Network

Ceisteanna (187)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

187. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the position of his Department on the East West Link which is urgently needed in the north east; the most recent engagements his Department has made on this project; the persons or bodies engaged with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60408/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

Proposals to deliver an upgraded East-West route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo.

As regards the regional road aspect of the proposal, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants.

My Department provided funding to Cavan County Council (acting as lead authority with Monaghan and Louth County Councils) with over €2m in the period 2007-2014 to progress the regional road element of the project to preliminary design.

In light of subsequent appraisal work that pointed to a very substantial cost if the full route were to be upgraded, the Department engaged with Cavan County Council in relation to carrying out a risk-based analysis for the east-west route between Dundalk and Cavan. A report on this analysis is in the process of being finalised and future options in relation to the route will then be considered, taking into account funding availability.

As regards the national road element of an east-west link, I have referred the question to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for a direct reply. Please advise 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

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (188)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

188. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if a commitment will be given to carry out a feasibility study to investigate the reopening of the Navan to Kingscourt rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60409/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I am informed that a potential re-opening of the line does not feature in the relevant Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy; however, as the Deputy knows, the issue of a potential extension of the existing Dunboyne/M3 Parkway line to Navan was considered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) during its development of the statutory Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035. This issue is being considered again as part of the statutory review of the current Strategy. A draft Strategy has recently been published along with all of the background papers that informed its development. The publication of the documentation by the NTA coincided with the launch of a public consultation process on the revised Strategy, which is open until 17th December. I would encourage all interested parties to participate in that consultation process.

The Deputy is also aware that the Strategic Rail Review, which is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure (Northern Ireland), will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades. The Review will consider the potential scope for improved rail services along the various existing, or future potential, corridors of the network. That scope will also include the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the disused line from Navan to Kingscourt.

This will be one of the most significant reviews of the rail network on the island in many years and will provide a framework to develop a much-improved rail network in the years ahead. The consultation process included in the scope of this Review is open until 21st January 2022 and I would encourage all interested parties to participate.

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (189)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

189. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the total expenditure of the development and associated cost for the MetroLink project from its initiation to the current date including a breakdown of the different expenditure incurred for example, marketing and engineering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60419/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As 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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including MetroLink.

Noting their 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.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (190)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

190. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the amount spent on the Luas Green line to date to include the original engineering works and the subsequent upgrading of platforms to increase capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60420/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As 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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including light rail.

Noting their 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.