Written Answers Nos. 203-224
203. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the total number of electric vehicles in Ireland to date in 2022; the number of electric vehicles registered annually over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24276/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below contains the details of the total number of electric vehicles registered in Ireland in 2022 to date and annually over the past ten years. These numbers do not include hybrids.
|
Year |
Number of Vehicles |
|
2022 (up to end of April) |
8,009 |
|
2021 |
9,886 |
|
2020 |
5,285 |
|
2019 |
4,497 |
|
2018 |
2,044 |
|
2017 |
1,167 |
|
2016 |
633 |
|
2015 |
602 |
|
2014 |
291 |
|
2013 |
83 |
|
2012 |
218 |
204. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the number of schools enrolled in the safe routes to school programme in 2022; the number of schools waiting to be enrolled; the number of schools enrolled in the programme by county council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24281/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2021, I was delighted to launch, with Minister Naughton the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme which will support Active Travel infrastructure for selected schools around the country. The Programme aims to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools and to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities. This will help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure.
All schools were eligible to apply to the Programme and information was circulated from the Departments of Education and Transport to schools nationwide. By the deadline of 16th April 2021, 932 applications had been received from schools in every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June that they have been selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme. The table below sets out the number of schools by local authority included in round 1 and subsequent rounds of the programme.
|
Local Authority |
Number of schools in Round 1 of the Safe Routes to School Programme |
Number of schools in subsequent rounds of the Safe Routes to School Programme |
|
Carlow County Council |
4 |
19 |
|
Cavan County Council |
2 |
13 |
|
Clare County Council |
5 |
29 |
|
Cork City Council |
6 |
18 |
|
Cork County Council |
10 |
51 |
|
Donegal County Council |
5 |
61 |
|
Dublin City Council |
28 |
23 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
6 |
19 |
|
Fingal County Council |
11 |
29 |
|
Galway City Council |
4 |
15 |
|
Galway County Council |
7 |
58 |
|
Kerry County Council |
5 |
37 |
|
Kildare County Council |
5 |
46 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
5 |
19 |
|
Laois County Council |
3 |
10 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
3 |
7 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
8 |
29 |
|
Longford County Council |
2 |
7 |
|
Louth County Council |
4 |
29 |
|
Mayo County Council |
7 |
44 |
|
Meath County Council |
6 |
31 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
3 |
11 |
|
Offaly County Council |
4 |
13 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
5 |
16 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
21 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
3 |
22 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
2 |
22 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
4 |
8 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
2 |
10 |
|
Wexford County Council |
4 |
24 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
3 |
21 |
|
Total |
170 |
762 |
€15m has been allocated for projects at the 170 schools included in Round One. The subsequent schools will be engaged with on a rolling basis in each local authority area. This funding is being provided from the €1.8 billion funding earmarked in the Programme for Government to support sustainable transport.
It is important to note that Active Travel funding generally seeks to improve links to schools where possible, not only the Safe Routes to School Programme. The required investment at each school will be dependent on the changes required in each particular case. As most interventions at/near applicable schools will take time to implement, particularly if they require planning permission, the €15m budget will extend beyond 2022. The budget for cycle parking element of SRTS in 2022 will be €3m. Cycle parking is also an important element of the Safe Routes to School Programme and I am pleased to say that in 2021 cycle parking was installed at 154 schools both in Round 1 schools and remaining schools within the programme.
The schools selected were assessed against a range of criteria including school type, location and the school’s commitment to sustainable travel.
Schools that have applied and have not been included in the first round of funding will not be required to reapply as they will come into the Programme on a rolling basis.
205. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the number of the 248 new posts for active travel teams in local authorities that have been filled; the number that currently remain outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24282/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra206. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the 248 new posts for active travel teams in local authorities by county in tabular form; the number that have been filled to date; the number of vacancies at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24283/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.
My Department announced funding in 2021 for up to 320 jobs (including existing jobs) in local authorities to support the expansion of walking and cycling infrastructure all over the country. This increase in resourcing reflects the €1.8bn of funding committed for walking and cycling over the planned lifetime of the Government. The additional staff will be dedicated to delivering and promoting Active Travel in Ireland and will work across design, communication, community liaison and construction oversight.
As of 1 April 2022, I can confirm that 190 additional staff have been recruited to work in Active Travel in local authorities across the country. In addition, 102 positions are currently ‘pending’, meaning interviews have either been completed or are ongoing, and the positions are expected to be filled shortly. Once these pending positions are filled, the total staff numbers will be 292. Recruitment processes are ongoing, and it is expected that all the remaining positions will be filled in 2022.
It is important to note that there is strong competition for staff given the strength of the economy and the fact that COVID-19 has impacted the traditional movement of potential recruits around Europe.
Details of the current staffing levels are set out in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
Current Staffing Levels 1st Apr 2022 |
Pending Positions offered/interviews conducted) to be recruited in 2022 |
Total 2022 (Current and Pending) |
|
Carlow County Council |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Cavan County Council |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Clare County Council |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Cork City Council |
7 |
10 |
17 |
|
Cork County Council |
12 |
6 |
18 |
|
Donegal County Council |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Dublin City Council |
20 |
35 |
55 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
8 |
9 |
17 |
|
Fingal County Council |
10 |
8 |
18 |
|
Galway City Council |
12 |
0 |
12 |
|
Galway County Council |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Kerry County Council |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Kildare County Council |
9 |
3 |
12 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Laois County Council |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Leitrim County Council |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
18 |
5 |
23 |
|
Longford County Council |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Louth County Council |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Mayo County Council |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Meath County Council |
12 |
0 |
12 |
|
Monaghan County Council |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Offaly County Council |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Sligo County Council |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
8 |
2 |
10 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
8 |
4 |
12 |
|
Westmeath County Council |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Wexford County Council |
1 |
3 |
4 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
11 |
1 |
12 |
|
Total |
190 |
102 |
292 |
207. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the amount that each county council has drawn down from its allocated active travel funding in 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24284/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the amount of the €289 million allocated for walking and cycling infrastructure in 2022 that has been spent; the areas in which the funding has been spent to date by county council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24285/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel and Greenways. The National Transport Authority (NTA), meanwhile, has responsibility for the allocation of funding to specific projects and oversight of their development, in cooperation with the relevant local authorities.
Noting their responsibility in this area, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply.
On 20 September 2021 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) took over responsibility for the allocation of funding to Greenway projects, in cooperation with the relevant local authorities. Please see table below which sets out details of the Greenways funding drawdown by local authorities from 1 January 2021 to 20 September 2021. It should be noted that it is not unusual for Local Authority claims to be made mostly in Q4.
I have forwarded your question to TII for a detailed reply in relation to the drawdown of Greenways funding for the remainder of 2021 and 2022. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
|
Local Authority |
Amount Drawdown from 1 January – 20 September 2021 |
|
Carlow |
€0 |
|
Cavan |
€0 |
|
Clare |
€0 |
|
Cork County |
€431,243 |
|
Donegal |
€0 |
|
Fingal |
€0 |
|
Galway |
€172,265 |
|
Kerry |
€1,007,236 |
|
Kildare |
€0 |
|
Leitrim |
€0 |
|
Limerick |
€2,193,905 |
|
Longford |
€0 |
|
Louth |
€0 |
|
Mayo |
€0 |
|
Meath |
€0 |
|
Monaghan |
€0 |
|
Offaly |
€837,808 |
|
Roscommon |
€0 |
|
Sligo |
€0 |
|
South Co. Dublin |
€0 |
|
Tipperary |
€0 |
|
Waterford |
€0 |
|
Westmeath |
€0 |
|
Wexford |
€374,616 |
|
Wicklow |
€0 |
|
TII (Galway to Athlone)* |
€1,864,248 |
* This relates to the total expenditure on the Galway to Athlone Greenway project, which is being led by Galway City Council and Galway, Roscommon and Westmeath County Councils.
209. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the amount that will be allocated to walking and cycling infrastructure in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24286/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government committed to an investment of €360 million per annum in walking and cycling over the lifetime of the Government. This investment will benefit society in both urban and rural areas by encouraging modal shift away from the private car thus improving fitness and health and reducing transport emissions.
The exchequer capital funding available for Greenways and Active Travel from my Department in 2022 is €360 million comprised of circa €60 million for Greenways managed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and €290 million for Active Travel measures managed by the National Transport Authority with the remaining funds delivered directly by my Department or through other agencies.
The funding allocation for 2023 will be decided as part of the annual Estimates process. I expect the amount that will be made available will reflect the commitment in the Programme for Government.
210. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated in 2021 and to date in 2022 to each of the local authorities in the greater Dublin area and the regional cities under the sustainable transport measures grants; the amounts actually expended and reclaimed by each; the amounts provided in each local authority for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24287/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government committed to an investment of €360 million per annum in walking and cycling over the lifetime of the Government. The years 2021 and 2022 have seen a significant increase in my Department's funding for cycling and walking, in line with the Government’s prioritisation of Active Travel and Greenways. I was delighted to announce funding totalling €289m through the National Transport Authority (NTA) earlier this year for approximately 1,200 Active Travel projects. This is in addition to the approx. €60m funding that was allocated to Greenways in 2022.
Details of the Active Travel funding allocated in 2021 and 2022 to each of the local authorities in the Greater Dublin area and in the regional cities are set out in the tables below.
|
Local Authority |
2021 Allocations |
|
Dublin City Council |
€49,875,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€20,705,000 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€14,870,000 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
€34,145,000 |
|
Meath County Council |
€12,885,000 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€7,730,000 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€7,616,000 |
|
Cork City Council |
€29,606,000 |
|
Cork County Council |
€15,781,943 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
€17,372,500 |
|
Galway City Council |
€11,865,000 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
€13,886,500 |
|
Campuses, Hospital and Educational Institutions |
€3,720,000 |
|
Total |
€240,057,943 |
|
Local Authority |
2022 Allocations |
|
Dublin City Council |
€52,810,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
€18,158,485 |
|
Fingal County Council |
€25,535,000 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council |
€38,990,000 |
|
Meath County Council |
€13,910,000 |
|
Kildare County Council |
€13,670,000 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
€9,007,500 |
|
Cork City Council |
€46,291,010 |
|
Cork County Council |
€20,456,545 |
|
Limerick City and County Council |
€24,390,568 |
|
Galway City Council |
€15,185,000 |
|
Waterford City and County Council |
€24,010,000 |
|
Campuses, Hospital and Educational Institutions |
€6,960,000 |
|
Total |
€309,374,108 |
As Minister, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. The National Transport Authority (NTA), meanwhile, has responsibility for the allocation of funding to specific projects and oversight of their development, in cooperation with the relevant local authorities.
Noting their responsibility in this area, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for reply in relation to the amounts expended and reclaimed by each local authority. It should be noted that an over-allocation has been made to each local authority in the expectation that not all projects will progress as hoped in 2022, this is based on experience of previous years.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
211. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the total cost arising from the reduced 20% public transport fares to the public and the reduced 50% public transport to students and young people under 24 nationwide; if he is considering making the reduction permanent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24289/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra212. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the total estimated cost of eliminating all public transport fares nationwide, factoring in the cost of providing the additional fleet, depots, drivers and so on to meet the likely resultant substantial increase in passenger numbers if fares were eliminated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24290/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra213. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the total estimated cost of eliminating all public transport fares in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24291/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 213, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares.
It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has the statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services and also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services by way of public transport services contracts in respect of services that are socially necessary but commercially unviable. The funding of those services comprises both the fares paid by passengers and the subvention payments from the Exchequer. The main purpose of the subvention payment is to meet the gap between income from fares and the cost of operating services.
The provision of public transport services is heavily dependent on passenger fare revenue as it normally contributes about 65% of the operational cost. The remaining 35% of cost is covered by the PSO grant and the Department of Social Protection grant under the free travel scheme.
Prior to COVID-19, €287 million of Exchequer funding was provided for PSO services in Budget 2020; however, since 2020, additional funding has been required to continue to address the significant COVID impacts on public transport provision.
In 2022, I secured €538m to support PSO services including over €200m to address COVID expenses (i.e. loss of fare revenue, cleaning costs). Up to €12m will be provided as ongoing support for the licensed bus sector; while, over €15m has also been allocated to support Local Link regular service provision in rural Ireland.
The Government is strongly committed to helping combat the rising cost-of-living being experienced throughout the country. In this context, a suite of new measures is being introduced by Government to help with this issue, including a 20% average fare reduction on all PSO services until the end of 2022. These discounted fares will benefit the hundreds of thousands of people across the country who use PSO public transport every day. €54m in Exchequer funding has been secured to allow for the introduction of these discounted fares.
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. The discount is available on PSO services and will be broadened to include commercial operators as soon as practical. 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.
The PSO programme represents a significant expenditure of taxpayers' money, and funding has increased in recent years to cater for additional services and growing capacity. Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in the regulation of fares, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
214. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to increase transport accessibility in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24292/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing an accessible, integrated and sustainable public transport network. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport in rural areas, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
215. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to improve pedestrian safety and infrastructure on rural roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24293/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe years 2021 and 2022 have seen a significant increase in my Department's funding for cycling and walking, in line with the Government’s prioritisation of Active Travel and Greenways. Last year I was delighted to announce the first ever major Active Travel investment programme for rural Ireland, to support sustainable transport projects in 19 local authorities outside the Greater Dublin Area and Regional Cities. All 19 local authorities have been allocated funding under the 2022 Active Travel Investment Programme and details of the allocations are available at www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2022-Active-Travel-Investment-Allocations.pdf.
The overall increase in funding across urban and rural Ireland will not only support the construction and improvement of safe and connected walking and cycling infrastructure but also the deployment of 320 dedicated Active Travel staff in local authorities around the country. In partnership with the Department of Education we also launched the Safe Routes to Schools Programme last year, which aims to accelerate the delivery of safe walking, scooting and cycling infrastructure on key access routes to schools. It has had a great response, with applications received from schools in every county in Ireland, and extensive engagement has taken place with all 170 schools that have been selected for round 1 of the programme.
My Department also provides funding for Greenways through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), and funding of circa €60 million has been allocated to around 40 Greenway projects across the country in 2022, in nearly every single county. Greenways are for use by people walking and cycling and also provide an option in rural areas for connections to towns and villages. TII are also, as part of their funding of Active Travel measures, including pedestrian and cycling infrastructure as part of National road construction and renovation works. In addition, a number of regional and local road improvement schemes which are currently under construction or have been recently completed, incorporate provision for cycle tracks and footpaths.
Finally, it is important to mention that education is key and this is where the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the agency tasked with road safety education in Ireland, has an important role in reminding everyone of their responsibilities to other road users. The RSA ran a public awareness campaign in 2021 specifically directed at promoting increased safety on rural roads.
216. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if the Government is considering implementing a congestion charge on private motor vehicles entering Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24294/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan makes clear that we need to reduce fossil fuelled passenger vehicle kilometres by up to 10% to fully achieve a 51% emissions reduction for the transport sector by 2030. While all options are on the table as we strive to achieve carbon neutrality, we must ensure that if policies like this are pursued that they are evidence based and that viable alternatives exist for people to continue to make their journeys.
My Department published the Five Cities Demand Management Study in December 2021, pursuant to Action 81 of the Climate Action Plan 2019. The purpose of the Study is to identify transport demand drivers in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway, and to assess the impact and suitability of an array of different demand management measures for each city. The Study focused on addressing four main challenges facing our cities: decarbonisation, air quality, congestion, and, improving the overall urban environment. The Study is evidence-based using insight from an extensive international best practice review, national and local stakeholder engagement and supported by detailed qualitative (Phase 1) and quantitative (Phase 2) appraisal - available to view at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c6571-five-cities-demand-management-study/.
While the Study has identified that the introduction of congestion charges can prove effective, the Study also found that there are a variety of alternative measures that can be pursued with greater effect. The three priority measures that have been recommended for implementation across the five cities are:
- Developing and embedding the concept of 15-minute neighbourhoods through national and local plans and strategies, providing resources to incentivise their implementation through national funding/grants schemes.
- Enhancing delivery of the National Planning Framework.
- Public Parking Controls.
Importantly, the Study has also made clear that there is no single solution to tackling the challenges facing our urban environments. Utilising an integrated Travel Demand Management approach to policy development, planning and delivery of our land use and transport systems will be fundamental to addressing these challenges in the coming years.
In line with our Climate Action Plan commitments, my Department, NTA and the Regional Assemblies are engaging to identify a pathway for the implementation of suitable demand management measures at national and local level, and to advancing these measures by 2025.
217. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has looked at increasing the frequency of train journeys on the Midleton to Cork line and the Cobh to Cork line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24296/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling of those services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators, in this case Iarnród Éireann.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's query in relation to increasing the number of train journeys on the Midleton to Cork and Cobh to Cork lines to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
218. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [24317/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 employers are required to take reasonable steps to accommodate the needs of current and prospective employees with disabilities.
As an equal opportunities’ employer, my Department is conscious of its statutory obligations and is continually working to ensure that it meets all commitments in this regard.
In order to meet this obligation my Department works with the Public Appointments Service to ensure that prospective recruits are provided with reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.
Current employees who have disclosed disabilities have been provided with assistive technology to allow them to carry out their roles.
Ergonomic and risk assessments are available to all staff and specialised furniture has been made available to those who need it.
Evacuation chair training has recently been completed to ensure the safety of those with mobility issues during an emergency and the Health and Safety officer reviews the accessibility of the Department’s offices on an ongoing basis.
My Department has facilitated special arrangements to accommodate disability requirements where required, including reduction of work patterns to under 50% and in some instances, changing roles for accommodation reasons.
My Department has a dedicated Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who assists employees with their disabilities and accessing reasonable accommodations. The Disability Liaison Officer is also part of a wider network of DLOs across the Civil/Public Service, that meet regularly to exchange ideas on how the workplace for people with disabilities and/or those that require reasonable accommodations can be improved.
My Department continues to work with the Office of the Chief Medical Office and the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service, both of whom have provided guidance on reasonable accommodation requirements for certain employees.
I have asked the aegis bodies to respond directly to you on this matter and if you do not hear from them within 10 days you should contact my office.
219. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the number of sports utility vehicles registered in total in Ireland; the number of SUVs registered annually over the past ten years; the number registered to date for 2022; the breakdown of the number of SUVs registered per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24322/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraVehicles details such as make, model and body type are collected at the initial registration of a vehicle by the Revenue Commissioners and are provided electronically to the Department of Transport's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) to facilitate first licensing of motor tax for the vehicle.
An SUV is not a specific category under the classifications in use. Such vehicles will be assigned various body types such as MPV, Jeep or Van and are recorded under these body types on the NVDF. Therefore, the number of SUVs is not separately identifiable on the NVDF.
220. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the waiting times for driving tests in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24336/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the 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.
221. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify Government policy concerning the handling of fossil fuels from the Russian Federation at Irish seaports. [24351/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is ensuring that all EU sanctions once agreed are being implemented, including in the transport sector.
Currently, European sanctions applying to Russia exclude oil product. Petrol, diesel, home heating oil and kerosene are not subject to sanctions and there is no legal basis to refuse to accept such products.
It is vital that Ireland continues to move in step with our EU partners in relation to sanctions imposed. The effectiveness of EU sanctions is evident and Ireland has fully supported the EU sanctions packages agreed to date and is actively engaged with partners in looking at what further measures can be taken.
Proposals for a sixth package of sanctions, aimed at further depriving Russia and Belarus of the ability to wage war on Ukraine, are under discussion by the EU. It is expected that these will be adopted in the coming days. A phased import ban on all Russian oil is proposed to be introduced.
222. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the progress made to date with respect to the proposed bypass of Castlemartyr on the N25 in east Cork; the amount expended to date on the proposed bypass; the amount his Department has allocated to enable the project to progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24363/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.
I can confirm that an allocation has been made by TII to Cork County Council for the N25 Castlemartyr and Killeagh bypass, which is on the N25 Midleton to Youghal corridor. TII is best placed to provide information concerning the current status and funding of this proposed project.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
223. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the progress that has been made to date with respect to the upgrade of the commuter rail link from Mallow to Midleton and Cobh, County Cork; the expected timescale for the various parts of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24369/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the 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 project 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 on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
224. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the transport of six howitzer guns with ammunition which passed through Shannon Airport on board an aircraft (details supplied) on the weekend of 7 to 8 May 2022. [24370/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra239. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if an aircraft (details supplied) that arrived at Shannon airport on 7 May 2022 was approved to transport weapons and munitions through Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24622/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 239 together.
The air operator for the flight detailed was not granted an exemption to permit the carriage of munitions of war, pursuant to Article 5 of the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders, 1973 and 1989.
The air operator had indicated, prior to the flight, that the cargo carried consisted of basic frame armoured vehicles without weapons.
