Written Answers Nos. 101-120
101. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he will prioritise the roll-out of a hop-on hop-off Wild Atlantic Way bus service travelling regularly in each direction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30659/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) 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 the hop-on-hop-off Wild Atlantic Way bus services, I have referred your question to the NTA for a direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
102. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport when he intends to update the national ports policy; when he will designate ports on the east, south and west coasts for the construction and development of offshore wind projects and allocate investment for the upgrades required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30741/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA port capacity study is currently underway and is due for completion shortly. Upon its finalisation a full review of National Ports Policy will commence later this year which will look at the overall ports policy framework.
Given Ireland’s increased ambition in Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) of 5GW of offshore wind by 2030 and the potential of at least 30GW of floating offshore wind power in our deeper waters in the Atlantic, and, pending the review of overall National Ports Policy in 2022, the Department of Transport, in conjunction with the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), conducted an assessment in 2021 of the options for Irish State ports to facilitate the ORE sector and assist in Ireland achieving its emission reduction targets.
Following the assessment, last December I announced an ORE Ports Policy Statement setting out the strategy for a multi-port approach to the provision of port facilities. As ORE will develop in phases on the east, south, south west and west coast, a multiple of ports will be required to provide facilities for the different activities at several locations around the country and at different times for the various phases of the fixed and floating ORE developments.
This will help maximise the economic benefits at regional as well as national level in terms of the creation of jobs and new SME enterprise that can support the development of the ORE industry. A multiport approach will ultimately allow investments that are commercially viable in the long-term progress without undermining the ability of any port to meet its primary obligations in relation to the facilitation of international trade.
While Irish Ports receive no exchequer funding, EU funding of port infrastructure for ORE is now available for ports, or terminals within ports, on the Trans European Network for Transport (TEN-T). On its own, CEF funding does not have any State aid implications and successful applicants can obtain significant grant funding of up to 50% of eligible costs for studies and up 30% of infrastructure works costs.
A call opened on in 2021 for applications and closed last January which makes €4bn funding available EU wide for transport infrastructure projects. Similar calls are expected in 2022 and 2023. These are competitive processes, and typically oversubscribed. Bearing in mind the confidential nature of the process, what can be said at this point is that a decision by the European Commission on the applications, which include four Irish applications related to ORE port infrastructure, is due shortly.
103. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the N4 upgrade proposal; and the work that his Department has undertaken in relation to this project. [30452/22]
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 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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise the Deputy on the status of the N4 Mullingar to Longford project 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.
104. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the status of the work undertaken by his Department regarding the reopening of Killucan train station, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30451/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network including the former station at Killucan, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
105. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the total amount that the Dublin Airport Authority received in State funding or subsidies throughout the Covid-19 crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30617/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra130. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport if Government supports or the lack of suitable supports contributed in any way to the recent delays experienced at Dublin Airport due to staff shortages; if his attention has been drawn to any reason that the DAA did not avail of the Government-funded employment schemes which were expanded during the Covid-19 pandemic; if his Department engaged with the DAA in relation to its move to offer many redundancies which resulted in these staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31008/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra250. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport the total monetary value of the Covid-19 business subsidies extended to the Dublin Airport Authority throughout the pandemic. [28853/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 130 and 250 together.
I wish to thank the Deputies for their questions.
During the Covid-19 crisis the aviation sector has benefited considerably from the suite of measures put in place by Government to support businesses across the economy, including but not limited to, a wage subsidy scheme, grants, low-cost loans, a commercial rates waiver, deferred tax liabilities and the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme.
The total value of horizontal supports (EWSS, tax warehousing and commercial rates waiver) availed of by the daa since 2020 amounts to €241.1m.
In addition, in recognition of the very difficult circumstances being faced by our regional State airports due to the impact of Covid, funding of €16.67m was provided by Government to daa to support Cork Airport under a one year COVID-19 Regional State Airports Programme in 2021.
Furthermore, it was recognised in the National Economic Recovery Plan that additional support would be required to support the aviation sector’s recovery as European and international air transport resumed. Given this, a further €105.62m was allocated to daa during 2021 under an EU approved State aid Covid Supplementary Support Scheme. This funding to daa provided both Dublin and Cork airports with the flexibility to roll out route incentives/charge rebates, in consultation with airlines, which has successfully supported the recovery and growth of connectivity. at both Dublin and Cork airports.
In relation to redundancies at daa, there were no mandatory redundancies introduced by the daa. The daa did, however, introduce a Voluntary Severance Scheme (VSS) during the summer of 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 crisis as part of the cost-cutting measures deemed necessary to secure the continued financial viability of the company.
This was at a time when the daa was losing €1m per day, passenger traffic was substantially reduced, and there was uncertainty around the timing of a recovery with 2019 levels of passengers not envisaged until 2024/2025.
There was ongoing engagement between the Department of Transport, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and daa over a number of months before the terms and conditions of the VSS were finally approved. While the terms and conditions of the VSS were approved by the Minister and the Minister for Public Expenditure as required under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies, the number of staff targeted under the VSS was a matter for the daa who have statutory responsibility to operate and manage the airport including ensuring the optimum staffing levels are in place.
108. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport his plans, if any, to extend the grace period for car owners who are unable to get appointments in time in order to complete an NCT test on their vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30729/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may know, all Member States of the European Union are required to carry out periodic roadworthiness inspections on motor vehicles at specified regular intervals.
Under Regulation 3(2) of the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415/2017), which sets out the applicable dates for periodic testing, the initial test due date for a vehicle is determined using the date of registration of that vehicle and subsequent test due dates fall on anniversaries of that date. Accordingly, all test due dates are predetermined based on the date of registration of a vehicle and any NCT certificate issued in respect of a vehicle is only valid up to the test due date that falls after that certificate was issued.
Ireland, like all Member States, is obliged to adhere to the specified minimum intervals between roadworthiness inspections. Permitting the validity of roadworthiness certificates to be extended without inspection would place the State in breach of our obligations under European law and may negatively impact road safety should the vehicle in question be unsafe to drive. Consequently, there are currently no plans to amend this legislation.
109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which the Government can offer any further assistance to the transport sector by whatever means with a view to ensuring that the rising transport costs do not become prohibitive in the context of economic progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30691/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government has acted promptly to mitigate the effects of energy price increases. This year more than €2 billion worth of measures have been put in place. Of these measures, many were targeted at the rising costs of transport:
- a cut of 20c for every litre of petrol and 15c for every litre of auto diesel, and a proportionate 2c reduction for excise on green diesel;
- the temporary enhancement to the Diesel Rebate Scheme, which was provided in Budget 2020, has been maintained;
- cutting public transport fares by 20% from the end of April;
- the introduction of the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme.
In respect of the latter two measures, which fall under my remit, the Government approved a 20% fare-reduction initiative on Public Service Obligation (PSO) public transport services, at a cost of €54m. A Young Adult Card was introduced on both PSO and commercial services in Budget 2022. This measure allows any person nationwide who is between 19 and 23 years old, to avail of an entitlement for discounted travel costs, and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount to an average discount of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services. Over 1000 applications received by the National Transport Authority (NTA) on launch day alone. The initiative will be broadened to include commercial operators later this year, with the aim to have it in place before the recommencement of third level colleges.
In relation to the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme, this measure provided €100 per week, for eight weeks, for each eligible heavy goods vehicle authorised on the licence of a road haulage operator as of 11 March 2022. On 19 May 2022, the closing date for receipt of completed applications was extended to 6 June 2022. Over €15 million has been paid out under the Scheme to 2,923 licensed operators. Further eligible applications received will be processed over the coming days and final payments will be made shortly. The Scheme is now closed. There is ongoing engagement with the haulier industry in terms of their needs.
The Diesel Rebate Scheme offers a partial excise refund to qualifying operators. In Budget 2020, in light of the challenges arising from Brexit uncertainty facing the industry, the marginal rate of compensation at prices over €1.42 (VAT inclusive) was doubled up to the maximum repayment rate of 7.5 cents per litre. In recognition of the vital role that the haulage sector plays in the economy, this increase has been maintained since.
More generally, the Government has acted to offset the rising cost of fuel through a reduction in Excise on fuels - a reduction of 20 cent on petrol and 15 cent on diesel fuel. While this measure (announced in early March 2022) was originally proposed to last until 31 August 2022, the Government has extended it out to Budget Day 2022. This measure provides assistance to all citizens and businesses to help mitigate the impact of recent fuel price increases.
Since early March, with the benefit of the excise reduction, the 8 weeks support under the Licensed Haulage Support Scheme and the ongoing Diesel Rebate relief, haulage businesses will have had the opportunity to revise and renegotiate contracts with their clients in order to reflect increased prices, as is an unfortunate reality in all sectors across the economy.
While it will not be possible to fully insulate citizens and businesses from the impact of these fuel price increases, I will continue to monitor actively this evolving situation very closely, and consider such further steps as may be necessary in conjunction with my Government colleagues and in consultation with the sector.
110. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has examined expanding late night public transport services in urban areas to provide additional transport options at night; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30743/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, he is 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, including night-time bus services.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the possible examination of expanding late night public transport services in urban areas to provide additional transport options at night, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
111. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the establishment of the new office, zero emissions vehicles Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30708/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. A draft national charging infrastructure strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025 was published for consultation in March. The draft strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 194,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade. Responses and submissions received as part of the consultation are currently being considered in the development of the final Strategy for publication.
Preparations are underway to establish Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland. 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.
I anticipate ZEVI will be established within my Department next month.
112. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the level of funding drawn down by Wicklow County Council under the electric vehicle public charge point grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28454/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. A draft national charging infrastructure strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025 was published for consultation in March. The draft strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 194,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade. Responses and submissions received as part of the consultation are currently being considered in the development of the final Strategy for publication.
Preparations are also underway to establish Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland. 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.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well assists in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home. This means that the majority of EV users will never need to access the public network except for longer journeys.
A grant is available from the SEAI for those individuals seeking to install a home charger. 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.
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 non-residential neighbourhood charging, destination charging, and motorway charging.
A significant increase in funding for public charging points will be rolled out in the latter half of this year.
The existing 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.
I can confirm to the deputy that Wicklow County Council have to date not drawn down any funding under the current Public Points Scheme.
My Department has reviewed the Scheme and the draft Strategy sets out a number of additional actions to support delivery by local authorities, such as funding capital costs for civil and electrics works, as well as charge point installation, through a new Residential Charging Scheme.
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.
114. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the roll-out of safer cycling infrastructure in rural areas, particularly safe connections for young children who are cycling to rural schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30660/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government has committed to Exchequer spending of approximately €360 million per annum on walking and cycling over the lifetime of the Government, equivalent to 20% of the 2020 transport capital budget. This investment will help support the planned delivery of almost 1,000 kilometres of improved walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025 as well as additional investment in Greenways.
2021 saw the first ever major Active Travel investment programme for rural Ireland. €72.8m was allocated to 19 local authorities to support the delivery of 340 sustainable transport projects. It should be noted this allocation was more than the entire Active Travel budget for 2019.
This year has seen another increase in my Department's overall funding for cycling and walking, in line with the Government’s prioritisation of Active Travel and Greenways. As well as an increased allocation of €289 million administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA) to Active Travel, I was delighted to also announce funding of €60 million for investment in our Greenways.
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 almost 250 dedicated Active Travel staff in local authorities around the country.
In addition to the increased funding for walking and cycling infrastructure, a number of smaller-scale initiatives are being progressed by my Department to support and promote efforts to increase safe Active Travel. The Department of Transport funds the delivery of CycleRight training through Cycling Ireland, which delivers cycling training to school-children around the country and equips them with the skills to cycle safely.
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.
The step-change in funding and the introduction of various innovative measures to encourage safe and connected Active Travel is proof of the Government's commitment to this area, and I look forward to the delivery of the numerous projects and programmes around the country, including in rural areas.
Furthermore, TII (Transport Infrastructure Ireland) are developing a National Cycle Network that will identify routes for development all around the country that will work with the Regional and Local Cycle Networks being developed by the NTA.
116. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for the delivery of the updated National Cycling Manual in order for up-to-date standards to be made available to local authorities to design and deliver active travel networks to the necessary level of quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30596/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra322. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the estimated timeline for the publication of the revised national cycling manual. [30607/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 322 together.
The Deputy will be aware of the National Cycle Manual which was first published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2011 and is the principal source for guidance on the design of cycle facilities in Ireland. Last year it was decided that a review of the National Cycle Manual was required and in April 2021 consultants were appointed by the NTA to carry out this review.
Any new active travel infrastructure funded by my Department must be designed in compliance with the guidance and standards set out in the National Cycle Manual. I expect the revised version of the National Cycle Manual to be published in the coming months.
Once finalised, the NTA intends to complement the publication and dissemination of the new Manual with a series of training sessions for relevant stakeholders and it is my expectation that this work, together with other initiatives planned including local authority resourcing, will result in improved cycling outcomes across the country.
117. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will commit to a feasibility study to investigate the reopening of the Navan to Kingscourt rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29517/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority's draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area, is recommending the development of a rail link to Navan by 2042. Consideration is not currently being given in the draft Strategy to such a rail link beyond Navan. The Strategy is subject to a formal statutory approval process and a final version will ultimately be submitted for my approval in the coming weeks.
Separately, as well as looking at issues relating to inter-urban and inter-regional rail connectivity and the potential for high-/higher speed(s), the Strategic Rail Review will also consider improved connectivity to the North West and the border region.
The Review will consider the potential scope for improved rail services along various existing and potential future corridors of the network, and that scope includes the potential afforded by disused and closed lines such as the Kingscourt line. I expect to receive a final Report later this year.
118. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport when he expects red light cameras to be rolled out following the successful trial in 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30619/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Action 67 of my Department's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, we are committed to 'further develop camera-based enforcement by the Gardaí, including at junctions and for management of bus/cycle lanes, building on existing and recent legislation through establishing suitable cross-agency administrative arrangements; and, where any legislative issues are identified, to consider and develop agreed proposals to remedy them.'
My officials have met with the Garda Síochána with a view to exploring this matter. I understand that legislative measures will be required in due course, and these will have to be considered in detail. At present, my legislative focus is on passing and implementing the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021. Already very wide-ranging, there is not sufficient time to develop measures in this particular area for inclusion in this Bill.
119. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the status of the East West Link which is urgently needed in the north east; the most recent engagements that his Department has had on this project; the persons or bodies with whom his Department has engaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29516/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraProposals 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 which involves exploring the possibility of a series of interventions which might improve the safety of the route, improve journey times and bring consistency to the travel speed along the route. The position remains the same as outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 149 in that the report on this analysis is expected shortly.
It is envisaged that individual local authorities will examine, taking into account each Council's overall priorities and available resources, how projects identified in the risk analysis could be brought forward. The Department has allocated some grant funding this year to Cavan County Council and Louth County Council for the initial assessment of two possible schemes subject to the receipt of the required project appraisal documentation from the relevant local authorities.
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.
120. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a list of proposed light rail stops on the northside of Cork city. [29648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 our cities, including Cork Light Rail Transit.
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.
