Tuesday, 22 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 163-187

Driver Test

Ceisteanna (163)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

163. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of driving test pass rates by test centre since March 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13872/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority is responsible for the Driver Testing Service. The information requested is held by the RSA. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

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

Question No. 164 answered with Question No. 162.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (165)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

165. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the cost incurred by his Department for the supply of Covid-19 related face masks and face coverings since March 2019 to date; the name of the supplier involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13902/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The table below sets out the costs incurred by my Department for the supply of Covid-19 related faces masks and face coverings.

Year	Provider	Total Expenditure
2019	nil	nil
2020	Codex	€7,098.24
2021	Codex	€5,705.54
2021	ECIFFO	€1,462.50
2022 to date	ECIFFO	€402.50

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (166)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

166. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the cost incurred by his Department for the supply of Covid-19 related hand sanitiser since March 2019 to date; the name of the supplier involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13920/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The table below sets out the costs incurred by my Department for the supply of Covid-19 related hand sanitiser since March 2019 to date.

YEAR	PROVIDER	EXPENDITURE
2019	NIL	NIL
2020	Amazon	€58.24
	Careplus	€406.20
	Dowlings	€175.00
	Carethy	€597.46
	PHS Washroom	€369.00
	Codex	€4,354.15
	TOTAL	€5,960.05
2021	ECIFFO	€3,677.10
2022 to date	ECIFFO	€406.95

Bus Services

Ceisteanna (167)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

167. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if a bus stop is planned for Ballinglanna, Glanmire and Dunkettle, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13923/22]

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, including the provision of bus stops/shelters. 

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (168)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

168. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport when a driving licence will be issued to a person (details supplied) who applied on 16 July 2021 for a foreign licence exchange from a recognised state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13944/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to individual applications. 

I have referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (169)

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

169. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand and increase funding to the electric vehicle toll incentive scheme to allow for the expansion of the scheme beyond 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13946/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

Providing a sustainable, low-carbon transport system is a key priority of my Department. The Programme for Government commits to 7% average annual emissions reduction to 2030.

The grant schemes are kept under continuous review to ensure that they are as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.

The Low Emission Vehicle Toll Incentive (LEVTI) Scheme which offers toll discounts for alternatively fuelled vehicles was introduced in July 2018 and is expected to run until December 31st, 2022 (available only to a maximum of 50,000 LEVs). BEV and PHEVs qualify for 50% and 25% toll reductions respectively up to a maximum €500 annual threshold for private vehicles and a maximum annual threshold of €1,000 for commercial vehicles (greater off-peak rates also apply to the M50 toll). The Scheme was expanded in 2020 to include toll reductions for electric motorbikes, hydrogen fuelled passenger cars and SPSVs, and heavy duty vehicles (trucks, buses and coaches) fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen or electricity.

As part of preparations for Budget 2023, I have asked Departmental officials to review the full range Exchequer supports currently provided to EV owners, including the LEVTI scheme.

Local Authorities

Ceisteanna (170)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

170. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport the details of the specific active travelling funding allocated in 2021 to Westmeath County Council (details supplied). [13952/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area. 

Noting the role of the NTA in this matter I have referred your correspondence to them for their attention and a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (171)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

171. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 3 February 2022, when a reply will issue from the Road Safety Authority (details supplied); if the matter will be examined by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13959/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Officials in my department have contacted the RSA, and they have confirmed that a response has since issued to the Deputy.  The delay was due to the collation of the extensive amount of data involved.

In response to Question 10, a breakdown of how many years fully licensed drivers have held a full license, please see table below -

Number of Full Licences holders current at 28th February 2022 broken down by number of years fully licensed drivers have held a full license for.

Number of Years	Number of Drivers
0	12,213
1	91,503
2	63,637
3	144,960
4	79,817
5	78,569
6	75,027
7	77,710
8	64,747
9	57,646
10	48,356
11	55,069
12	51,541
13	65,880
14	185,080
15	97,013
16	79,299
17	70,640
18	78,771
19	88,564
20	89,443
21	108,377
22	123,337
23	74,721
24	65,441
25	67,041
26	66,179
27	62,460
28	70,128
29	88,677
30	172,199
31	160,428
32	135,613
33	10,096
34	368
35	257
36	209
37	217
38	67
39	60
40	59
41	66
42	64
43	58
44	36
45	40
46	33
47	21
48	15
49	7
50	4
51	3
52	12
53	5
54	1
55	2
56	2
57	5
58	4
59	4
61	8
62	5
63	1
64	2
65	2
67	4
69	1
70	1
71	4
77	1
Total	2,861,830 Note:  The details provided are based on all Full Licence Drivers with a valid licence on the National Vehicle and Driver File and may include drivers where a Death notification have not been provided to date.

Traveller Community

Ceisteanna (172)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

172. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the actions that his Department has taken to implement the relevant recommendations from the Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community report issued in November 2021. [14015/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

While the recommendations in the report supplied are not an area of direct policy responsibility for my Department, the Irish public sector operates within a legislative framework that recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workforce and work environment. This includes polices that promote the rights and inclusion of groups across the equality grounds. Some strategies include specified targets; for example, an increase from 3% to 6% of people with disabilities in the workforce by 2024 (Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities) and 1% of the workforce to comprise ethnic minorities (Migrant Integration Strategy, National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021).

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) as recruiters of staff for the public service play a central role in recruiting diverse talent to take up public service employment opportunities, as outlined in their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy which includes access and the effect of recruitment and selection processes to attract candidates from diverse backgrounds, including the Traveller Community.

In relation to travel costs, the Deputy will be aware that a new suite of measures is being introduced by Government to help with the rising cost of living, including a 20% average fare reduction on PSO public transport services until the end of 2022. These discounted fares will benefit the hundreds of thousands of people across the country who use PSO services every day. €54m in Exchequer funding has been secured to allow for the introduction of these discounted fares; this funding does not include an extension of the scheme to private coach and bus operators. As the Deputy will be aware, unlike with PSO services, the National Transport Authority (NTA) do not set, monitor or regulate fares on services run by commercial operators.

Also, in recognition of the importance of incentivising young people to use public transport, as part of Budget 2022 I secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a young adult card (YAC) which 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 of discount of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services. It is envisaged that the discount will initially be made available on PSO services, and then broadened to include commercial operators at a later date.  This will not only promote modal shift in the transport sector among this age group but should also contribute towards a reduced reliance on private transport with associated benefit of transport emission savings.

These measures align with our objectives of decarbonisation, decongesting cities, improving liveability, and providing accessibility on an equitable basis which will have a real impact in people’s pockets.

Dublin Airport Authority

Ceisteanna (173)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

173. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to a proposal by the Dublin Airport Authority to impose a drop-off charge for persons being brought to the airport in a private vehicle; if this action requires Government approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14039/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I can confirm to the Deputy that I am aware of the proposal by the daa to impose a drop-off charge.  The daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop Dublin Airport and this matter is an operational matter for the company. It does not require Government approval.

 

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (174)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

174. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if it is mandatory to have a government services card to apply for a driver licence; and if he will reverse the policy and allow citizens apply for a driver licence online without the government services card. [14069/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

It is not mandatory to have a public services card (PSC) to apply for a driving licence. Applications can be made in person at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) office. A PSC may be used to establish an applicant's identity, but it is not mandatory for in-person applications and an applicant may use one of several options. 

A verified MyGovID account, for which a PSC is required, is needed to apply for a licence online. MyGovID satisfies the requirement for verifying a person’s identity online in place of a face-to-face verification carried out in person.

The recent agreement between the Department of Social Protection and the Data Protection Commission (DPC) acknowledged that the Department of Social Protection and other specified bodies can continue to use MyGovID as the sole means of authenticating identity for accessing online services, provided that an alternative service channel is available. The NDLS offices provide this alternative channel.

The Road Safety Authority is a specified body for the use of a PSC under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended by the Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Act 2009).

Bus Éireann

Ceisteanna (175, 176)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

175. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the reason online booking was unavailable on route 64 Bus Éireann's Donegal to Galway on 3 March 2022; the operational issues which led to this; the steps taken by Bus Éireann to prevent a re-occurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14104/22]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

176. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the reason return tickets were not available on route 64 Bus Éireann's Donegal to Galway 06.25 a.m. service on 3 March 2022; the operational issues which led to this; steps taken by Bus Éireann to prevent a re-occurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14105/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

Further, Bus Éireann's Expressway services, including route 64, are commercial bus services and responsibility for the operation of those services is a matter for the company.

I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Question No. 176 answered with Question No. 175.

Airport Policy

Ceisteanna (177)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

177. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport if he and his Departmental officials will meet a cross-party delegation from Derry, Strabane District and Donegal County Council as soon as possible to discuss the funding of the City of Derry Airport as previously requested [14152/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I would like to thank the Deputy for his question.  However, as previously advised, given that City of Derry Airport is not eligible for funding from the Irish Exchequer under the Regional Airports Programme, I do not think it appropriate for me to meet with Strabane District and Donegal County Council to discuss that issue at this time.

World Economic Forum

Ceisteanna (178)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

178. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if he or officials from his Department have engaged in any form of communication with the World Economic Forum or representatives of the World Economic Forum including by phone call, webinar, email or any event organised by the World Economic Forum from 1 January 2019 to date; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14170/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I participate and engage regularly with a number of international bodies, including the World Economic Forum. Summary details of my engagement with the World Economic Forum, since my appointment as Minister in June 2020, are set out below in tabular form:

Date	Event	Note
14 September 2020	World Economic Forum – Mobility Stewardship Board	Virtual attendance as part of The Stewardship Board of the Platform on Shaping the Future of Mobility.
20 January 2021	Davos Energy Week.	Virtual attendance as a keynote speaker.
9 June 2021	CEO Action Group for a European Green Deal.	Online - Ministerial panel session

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (179)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

179. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that additional funding is allocated to the National Transport Authority for 2023 to allow for the provision of an increase in PSO funding that would fund a third service at midday each day on the Ballybrophy train line, which services Roscrea, Cloughjordan, Nenagh, Birdhill, Castleconnell and Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14211/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland. Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).  The allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. 

The funding allocation for PSO public transport services for 2023 will be subject to the annual Budgetary process and therefore the allocations for 2023 are yet to be determined in the context of future Estimates processes.

Public Transport

Ceisteanna (180)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

180. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the fixed payment notice for taxis that refuse to carry assistance dogs or guide dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14215/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including the amount specified in a fixed payment notice, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. 

I have, therefore, forwarded your correspondence to the Authority for consideration and direct reply. Please advise this office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

National Car Test

Ceisteanna (181, 182, 183, 184)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

181. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons on the current waiting list for an NCT test appointment; the measures that his Department will take to reduce this number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14233/22]

Colm Burke

Ceist:

182. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons on the waiting list for an NCT test appointment by month from 1 January 2020 to 28 February 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14234/22]

Colm Burke

Ceist:

183. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the current average lead time for an NCT test appointment; the measures that his Department is taking to reduce this timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14235/22]

Colm Burke

Ceist:

184. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if additional NCT vehicle inspectors will be employed in 2022; if so, the number who are expected to be employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14236/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 182, 183 and 184 together.

I propose to take PQs 14233/22, 14234/22, 14235/22 and 14236/22 together.

The operation of the National Car Test (NCT) service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred these questions to the Authority for direct reply.

I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

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

Question No. 182 answered with Question No. 181.

Question No. 183 answered with Question No. 181.

Question No. 184 answered with Question No. 181.

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (185)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

185. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the difficulties facing electric car owners who do not have private driveways and whose front doors open out onto the public footpath and as a result cannot have an EV charger installed at their home; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such persons are barred from accessing the EV home charger grant given the car charger must be on their property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14248/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The Government’s policy regarding the increased usage of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is primarily driven by the Climate Action Plan which sets a target of 945,000 EVs by 2030. 

Home charging is considered the primary method of charging for the majority of EVs in Ireland and is a convenient, cost effective and environmentally friendly means of charging, especially when using night rate electricity. It accounts for circa 80% of EV charging sessions and will continue to be the primary method of charging in the future. The EV Home Charger Grant Scheme has been in operation since January 2018 to support the installation of home chargers for purchasers of new and second-hand BEVs and PHEVs.  The grant provides generous support towards the full cost of installation of a home charger up to a maximum of €600. 

The Government has introduced a requirement that new buildings and those undergoing substantial renovation works will have to include charging points for electric vehicles if they have more than 10 car parking spaces. 

As regards existing apartment buildings, work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. My Department is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for apartments to open shortly.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the public electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A national charging infrastructure strategy is due to be published for public consultation in the coming month which will set out a pathway for infrastructure provision ahead of demand over the critical period out to 2030. This strategy will specifically address the challenge for citizens without access to a driveway, and plans for EV charging infrastructure provision for people in this category. 

In terms of existing supports for public charging, the primary focus of the Public Charge Point 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. The scheme continues to be available to provide local authorities with a grant of up to €5,000 to support the development of on-street public chargers. My Department is reviewing the Scheme at present to ensure that it is as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort and an updated scheme is likely to be launched shortly after publication of the EV Infrastructure Strategy

Road Projects

Ceisteanna (186, 187)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

186. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeline to complete the N2 Clontibret to the border road scheme; the funds that have been allocated and expended to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14295/22]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

187. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport when it may next be considered to allocate funding to progress the N2 Clontibret to the border road scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14296/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.  Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), 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 TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. 

Approximately €600m of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2022. The 2022 funding allocations are made having regard for the NDP, which balances investment in transport against other priorities of Government, such as housing and health over the lifetime of the Plan. It was necessary to prioritise projects for funding in a manner which seeks to achieve key outcomes in line with the NDP. Resulting from this, while a large majority of the projects under the NDP were issued a funding allocation in 2022, TII were unable to provide an allocation for the N2 Clontibret to the Border project. The delivery programme for this project will be kept under review for next year and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.

In this context, TII is best placed to advise on the latest status of this proposed project.  I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply in this regard.  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

Question No. 187 answered with Question No. 186.