Written Answers Nos. 197-217
197. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the number of rescues carried out by Rescue 117 per year for the past five years; the number of rescues carried out by all other Irish Coast Guard bases per year for the past five years; if the response times per rescue are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3090/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy for each Irish Coast Guard base is set out in Table below. The response time requirement is 15 minutes by day and 45 minutes by night.
|
Year |
Dublin R116 |
Sligo R118 |
Shannon R115 |
Waterford R117 |
Total Taskings |
|
2021 |
163 |
305 |
269 |
167 |
904 |
|
2020 |
176 |
261 |
229 |
144 |
810 |
|
2019 |
127 |
260 |
272 |
137 |
796 |
|
2018 |
139 |
245 |
268 |
123 |
775 |
|
2017 |
127 |
320 |
241 |
132 |
820 |
Question No. 198 answered with Question No. 196.
199. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 to address the scourge of scramblers in communities; the timescale to which he is operating for the enactment of these measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3108/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic and Roads Bill introduced in the Dáil on 19 November, contains a number of measures to deal with the misuse of quadbikes, scramblers and similar vehicles.
While the conclusion of the legislation is ultimately a matter for the Oireachtas, this Bill is a priority for the Government, and I am hopeful that the legislation can be enacted in the first half of 2022.
The measures referred to by the Deputy can then be commenced once An Garda Síochána indicate that their systems and protocols are in place to ensure enforcement of the relevant provisions contained in the Bill, and once regulations have been made, where appropriate.
200. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if the sell-off in late 2021 by Shannon Development of the entire Tarbert-Ballylongford landbank (details supplied) in County Kerry to the privately-owned company which at the time of the sale had applied for planning permission for an LNG terminal was completed without any preconditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3116/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe sale of the land in question is a commercial matter for the Shannon Group. The Company has advised that it is not at liberty to share confidential information pertaining to the transaction.
I can advise the Deputy however that Shannon Group is subject to the obligations provided for in the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act, 2014. As a State body, it is also required to comply with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. Compliance with the Code is affirmed to me annually by the Chair of Shannon Group. The Code outlines certain procedures that should be followed in relation to the disposal of State Assets. I have been advised by Shannon Group that the sale of the land in question was approved by the Board of Shannon Group in 2018. The process for the sale was in accordance with the provisions of the Code including those relating to Property Acquisition and Disposal of Surplus Property and included a competitive and transparent tendering process.
201. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport his plans for increasing the number of electric charging points for electric vehicles in an area of Dublin (details supplied); the location and installation date of each scheduled charging point in the area over the next 12 months in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3133/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A national charging infrastucture strategy is being developed which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030. My Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders to inform this work and it is envisaged that the strategy will be published for consultation in early 2022.
Preparations are underway to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles. This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles. It will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure.
In terms of existing supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme continues to be available during 2022 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. My Department is reviewing the Scheme at present to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.
The Department is working closely with a number of key stakeholders, including Local Government, to ensure electric vehicle charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand. This includes developing appropriate guidance for local authorities in line with the Programme for Government which will ensure we can continue to expand our national charging network through the supports for on street chargers.
Information about the development of the EV charging strategy in the Dublin local authority areas is available here councilmeetings.dublincity.ie/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=33248
I am also aware that a report was published by the CCMA on the provision of guidance to local authorities on the provision of charging infrastructure. The document is available for viewing online at www.lgma.ie/en/publications/general-publications/local-authority-electrification-of-fleet-and-ev-charging-guidance.pdf
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
The project is due to be completed in 2022.
Further details on ESB charge points nationwide can be found at esb.ie/ecars/charge-point-map
In light of the ESB eCars responsibility in the matter of the provision of charge points, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the ESB for direct response. Please contact my Office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
202. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport his plans to provide an exemption for those whose initial basic training certificate expired before they were called for a motorcycle test due to delays in the testing system, yet who held it at the time of application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3171/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe validity period of Initial Basic Training (IBT) certificates is set out in legislation. Making a change to the validity of an existing certificate requires a change in law.
During 2021, extensions were made depending on when an IBT cert was issued, for certs issued between the 01 March 2018 - 30 June 2019. This was to cater for cases where there was a difficulty in getting a test appointment because of the Covid 19 pandemic. IBT certificates issued beyond this date were not extended; it was felt that the date chosen represented a reasonable concession to motorcyclists looking to obtain a driving test. While the driver testing service did not operate between March and July 2020, outside of this period motorcycle tests continued to be delivered as usual. For that reason, the disruption to motorcycle tests was less significant than to other vehicle types where only essential workers were being tested.
No further extensions are being considered at this time.
203. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter regarding the NCT (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3285/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Test (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore shared your concerns with the Authority for their information.
Regulation 2 of the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415 of 2017) sets out the definition of a re-test (copied below for your convenience). It states that a person must apply for a retest within 21 days of being refused a test certificate, with the view of having the vehicle retested within 30 days of being refused a test certificate.
“re-test” means a subsequent test carried out on a vehicle under these Regulations, subsequent to the refusal of a test certificate in respect of that vehicle, where—
(a) the application for the re-test is made not more than 21 days after the day on which the test certificate was refused, and
(b) the test is carried out on a day which is not more than 30 days after the day on which a test certificate in respect of the vehicle was first refused;
There are no current plans to amend S.I. No. 415 of 2017 to extend the 30 day period.
204. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated with a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3376/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe national driving test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
Individual cases are a matter for the Authority and the question in relation to this case is being referred to it for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
205. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the number of public chargers in Dublin city and county by charging capacity; the number of vehicles which can be charged at any given time; the target set to develop this network in 2022 and 2023; and the basis on which targets for the charging network have been set. [3378/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra206. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the charges being applied to motorists at public chargers; the way that this compares to the domestic rate; and when it is intended that electric vehicle users will have access to lower prices by utilising the charging network at off-peak times. [3379/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years.
A national charging infrastucture strategy is being developed which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030. My Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders to inform this work and it is envisaged that the strategy will be published for consultation in early 2022. Funding streams for the delivery of public EV charging points will be launched shortly after the publication of the strategy.
Preparations are underway to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles. This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles. It will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure.
In terms of existing supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme continues to be available during 2022 to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. My Department is reviewing the Scheme at present to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.
The Department is working closely with a number of key stakeholders, including Local Government, to ensure electric vehicle charging infrastructure stays ahead of demand. This includes developing appropriate guidance for local authorities in line with the Programme for Government which will ensure we can continue to expand our national charging network through the supports for on street chargers.
Information about the development of the EV charging strategy in the Dublin local authority areas is available here councilmeetings.dublincity.ie/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=33248
I am also aware that a report was published by the CCMA on the provision of guidance to local authorities on the provision of charging infrastructure. The document is available for viewing online at www.lgma.ie/en/publications/general-publications/local-authority-electrification-of-fleet-and-ev-charging-guidance.pdf
€10 million was committed from the Climate Action Fund (CAF) to support ESB investment in the charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB. This intervention alone will result in:
- 90 additional high power chargers, each capable of charging two vehicles
- 52 additional fast chargers, which may replace existing standard chargers
- 264 replacement standard chargers with more modern technology and with each consisting of two charge points
The project is due to be completed in 2022.
Further details on ESB charge points nationwide can be found at esb.ie/ecars/charge-point-map
In light of the ESB eCars responsibility in the matter of the provision of charge points and the associated fees, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the ESB for direct response. Please contact my Office if no reply is received within 10 working days.
207. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the number of grants paid to the four local authorities to date in Dublin for the installation of public electric vehicle chargers. [3380/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A national charging infrastructure strategy is due for publication this year which will set out a pathway to stay ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030.
Preparations are underway to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles. This Office will play an important role in our transition to zero emission vehicles. It will co-ordinate measures to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure.
There is a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging, and workplace charging.
In terms of existing supports for public charging, the Public Charge Point Scheme, which is administered by the SEAI, provides local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. The primary focus of the scheme is to provide support for the installation of infrastructure which will facilitate owners of electric vehicles, who do not have access to a private parking space, but instead rely on parking their vehicles in public places near their homes to charge their EVs. It should be noted that this scheme facilitates the installation of standard charge points.
My Department has committed to reviewing the Scheme later this year to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.
My Department is also developing a new scheme which will support the installation of destination charge points in locations such as visitor centres and parks. This new initiative will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
Thirteen local authorities have been in touch with SEAI in relation to the Public Points Scheme. To date, letters of offer have issued to Louth County Council and Dublin City Council in 2021, to install a total of 29 charge points within their administrative areas.
In 2021, Dublin City Council and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council also received €35,779 and €52,780.71 from the Department for the installation of EV Charge Points in their areas, as pilots to inform the development of the forthcoming EV infrastructure strategy.
208. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers that used the 109x Dublin to Cavan Bus Éireann route in both directions in of 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3417/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile most public transport is funded through the National Transport Authority's (NTA) public service obligation (PSO) programme, there is part of the national public transport system that comprises non-subvented services. These non-subvented services are run on a commercial and competitive basis by bus and coach businesses of varying sizes throughout the country.
Bus Éireann operates a substantial PSO business under contract with the NTA, providing subvented bus servcies both in the cities outside Dublin, and in regional and rural locations throughout the country. Bus Éireann also has a separate, commercially-run business, "Expressway", which operates a number of inter-regional bus routes in competition with other, private, commercial operators in the licenced bus market. The 109X Dublin to Cavan service is one of the routes which is operated by Bus Éireann's commercial Expressway business. As such, the query raised does not fall under the remit of my Department and is a matter for the company directly.
209. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he is considering the introduction of a replacement service for the Galway to Dublin 20/X20 bus service which ceased operations in 2021 given the significant demand for public transport services in communities along the route such as Loughrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3427/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 has had a profound impact on the public transport sector with significant falls in passenger numbers and associated drops in fare revenues; in this context, the Bus Éireann Board, following extensive analysis and work, took the commercial decision to consolidate its Expressway network in September 2020. This decision impacted four routes including the 20/X20 Dublin/Galway service which ceased operations on 28/07/2021.
In circumstances where a commercial operator cease operating a specific route, the National Transport Authority (NTA) undertakes an examination to determine whether, with the discontinuation of the commercial service, it is necessary for a replacement PSO service to be introduced to ensure no loss of connectivity to the travelling public. This process includes an assessment of the level of demand for public transport services in the affected area, an evaluation of whether existing PSO services can be reconfigured to meet any shortfall, or whether it is necessary to competitively tender for the provision of services.
Due to the decision by Bus Éireann to cease operating the X20 route, the NTA completed a detailed assessment of the X20 corridor and have determined that despite Expressway’s withdrawal, sufficient connectivity is provided by the remaining operators and the public service obligation is adequately met by other rail and bus services, thereby negating the need for any further intervention on the route.
Given the NTA's statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, I have also forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
210. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the commencement of works for the construction of a new train platform at Kent station, Cork for the provision of additional capacity in relation to the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3434/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra211. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the timetable for the works in relation to the €184.7 million of European Union funding for the Mallow to Midleton and Cobh rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3435/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra212. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a timetable for the construction of the double track from Carrigtwohill to Midleton train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3436/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 210, 211 and 212 together.
As the Deputy is aware, Government approved the inclusion of Phase 1 of the Cork Commuter Rail Programme in Ireland's National Recovery & Resilience Plan. Inclusion in the Plan means the projects referred to by the Deputy will be largely funded through the EU's Recovery & Resilience Facility and also means that all works should be complete by 2026.
Funding for the projects will be administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and in view of NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to it for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
213. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the research undertaken as part of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review into the provision of electrified high-speed rail between Cork to Dublin and Dublin to Belfast and associated costings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3437/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, my Department, in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure, Northern Ireland, has commissioned an All Island Strategic Rail Review, for which Arup Consultants were appointed to undertake.
As part of the scope of the Review, Arup will consider, amongst other matters, the potential for High/Higher-Speed Rail on the wider network and of course, the Belfast-Dublin-Cork corridor. I expect the Review to conclude by Q4 this year. It is the Review itself that will provide the type of information the Deputy seeks.
214. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his views on increasing subvention to Irish Rail to lower the cost of inter-city fares between Cork and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3438/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile 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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services by way of public services obligation (PSO) contracts, for allocating PSO Exchequer funding and for the regulation of PSO fares, including the rail inter-city fares mentioned in the Deputy's question.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
215. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the fuel types of second-hand passenger vehicles imported into Ireland for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3439/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of second-hand imported passenger vehicles licensed as private cars for the first time in 2021 by fuel type is provided in the tabular table below.
|
Fuel Type |
Number of Vehicles |
|
Diesel |
36,495 |
|
Diesel/Electric |
71 |
|
Diesel/Plug-in Hybrid Electric |
228 |
|
Electric |
455 |
|
Petrol |
20,830 |
|
Petrol/Electric |
5,657 |
|
Petrol/Plug-in Hybrid Electric |
4,276 |
|
Other |
30 |
|
Total |
68,042 |
216. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the efforts he has made in respect of plans to phase out the sale of diesel cars in Ireland; the details of a comprehensive diesel scrappage scheme in the medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3440/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPassenger cars account for over half of all land transport emissions in Ireland; therefore, a transition to low and zero emission cars is one of the necessary changes if Ireland is to substantially reduce its transport emissions. Accordingly, electric vehicles (EVs) are a prominent mitigation measure in the Climate Action Plan and Ireland has set an ambitious target of nearly one million EVs on our roads by 2030. With approximately 47,700 EVs currently in Ireland, this target is very challenging but indicative of the scale of the transformation that is needed across all sectors if Ireland is to reduce national emissions and reach its legally binding emission ceiling in future years.
A national ambition has been firmly established that by 2030 all new cars and vans sold in Ireland will be zero-emission capable.
The European Commission have indicated that a complete ban of the marketing, import or registration of new ICE vehicles in a single Member State is not compatible with EU law, and an EU-wide approach is therefore required. Ireland was signatory to a non-paper to the Commission earlier this year requesting a phase-out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the EU in line with the objective of climate neutrality by 2050 as well as the introduction of a legal framework that allows Member States to move ahead by taking action at national level to incentivise early phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars and vans. The paper can be viewed at www.permanentrepresentations.nl/permanent-representations/pr-eu-brussels/documents/publications/2021/03/10/non-paper---transition-to-zero-emission-light-duty-vehicles
In addition, on Transport Day at COP26, I signed a sponsored declaration to accelerate the transition to 100% zero emission cars and vans. The declaration is an important signal of ambition at a global level. In line with our Programme for Government commitments, Ireland has even greater ambitions, targeting a switch over of one million electric vehicles by 2030 to bring us on a trajectory to achieving electrification of all new car sales well ahead of 2035
These declarations are consistent with Ireland’s ambitions to tackle transport emissions. They follow the recent publication of the Climate Action Plan (CAP) ’21 which outlines a pathway to a radical and equitable transformation in Ireland’s transport sector over the next nine years as it moves towards decarbonisation. Car manufacturers are responding to these initiatives by introducing a wide range of electric vehicles to the market, and over the coming decade, I envisage a progressive transition to EVs in our car fleet as electric vehicle technology becomes mainstream .
My Department has convened the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway (EVPP) Working Group to produce a roadmap to achieving the 2030 EV target. The EVPP Working Group comprises senior officials and has considered regulatory, financial, and taxation policies to help drive a significant ramp-up in passenger EVs and electric van sales. Scrappage schemes were discussed as part of these considerations. The Working Group considered the potential of this incentive but concluded that a general scrappage scheme would entail significant additional costs; however, the Group concluded that niche markets scrappage schemes could potentially play an important role, such as the SPSV sector.
Furthermore, considerable progress has been made to ensure that conditions and policies are in place to support citizens in making greener vehicle choices. As the Deputy will be aware, a comprehensive suite of measures is available to EV drivers, including purchase grants for private car owners and taxi drivers, VRT relief, reduced tolls, home charger grants, favourable motor and BIK tax rates, as well as a comprehensive charging network. These measures have collectively contributed to increased take up of EVs in Ireland in recent years.
217. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport his plans to prepare legislation for motorway filling stations to increase the number of rapid charging points for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3441/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPreparations are under way to establish an Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), as recommended in the Electric Vehicles Policy Pathway Report; this will play an important role in our transition to zero-emission vehicles. OLEV will co-ordinate measures, including legislation as required, to support the uptake of EVs and the rollout of charge point infrastructure.
Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. In support of EV adoption, a National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy is in development which will seek to prioritise the delivery of fast and rapid charge point infrastructure over the next 5 years including along the motorway network.
Specifically, the Strategy will consider the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) which proposes that Member States expand public recharging capacity in line with zero-emission car sales as well as installing dedicated light and heavy-duty vehicle recharging points at regular intervals (every 60kms) on major highways (TEN-T core and comprehensive network) from 2025 onwards.
AFIR will ensure the rapid and coherent development of an interoperable, wide-spread network of greener refuelling and recharging infrastructure network across the EU. The Government recognises that the provision of sufficient and suitable charging and alternative fuelling facilities is a key enabler of the transition to zero- and low-emission vehicles.
