Written Answers Nos. 119-132
119. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport his views on fluctuation in prices for the purchase of seats with an airline (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder European Union Regulation 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community, airlines have pricing freedom in relation to setting air fares for intra-Community air services and other related services such as baggage.
The Regulation requires that air fares be transparent i.e. that passengers booking a flight must be aware of the final price of a flight including any supplemental elements selected by the passenger, at all times during the booking process.
Within this framework airlines regularly take into account various operational realities in setting these fares and charges over time, for example flights at peak times or with short advance bookings may attract higher prices which is an industry norm.
Anyone who feels that the final price of an air fare was not displayed transparently in the booking process may refer the matter to the Commission for Aviation Regulation.
120. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Dublin Port pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31831/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, in June 2021, Dublin Port Company, in line with the provisions of Dublin Port Superannuation Scheme 1996, sought Ministerial consent to a 2.5% increase in pensions in payment and deferred pensions that were impacted by the implementation of the pension levy.
The request for consent was reviewed within my Department in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with the assistance of NewERA.
Following consideration of that review, I have decided not to consent to the proposed 2.5% increase in benefits as the relevant CPI inflation calculation for the period in question - the year ending March 2021 - was actually 0% and the pension scheme’s policy is for inflation linked increases.
The Company has been advised of this decision. It is considered that any reversion of the reductions in pensions benefits on foot of the pension levy implementation and the method employed are matters for the trustees of the pension scheme to resolve. My Department will assist as appropriate in reviewing any proposals in this regard.
More broadly, it is acknowledged that there are increasing inflationary pressures generally as reflected in the Consumer Price Index over the last year and any future requests for consent will be considered as appropriate in light of these developments.
121. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Transport the details of the timeline for the completion of double tracking of the rail line connecting Athenry to Galway city. [31873/22]
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 responsibility, on a non-statutory basis, for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Galway City Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, railway infrastructure.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply to the specific questions asked. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
122. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has provided funding to an association (details supplied) over the past 20 years; and if so, the amount involved. [31874/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraProvision of funding to the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) was sanctioned by two Government decisions in 2000, in support of the strategic development of the haulage industry. From 2000 to 2009 this Department provided funding to the IRHA totalling approximately €1,330,000. The funding programme was discontinued from 2010 and no further funding has since been provided to the IRHA.
123. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the steps that will be taken in relation to the buses that will no longer be in use once the new electric buses are delivered; the timeline for the 800 buses; the areas in which they will be allocated, delivered and up and running; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31921/22]
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 responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the procurement of the national bus fleet.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
124. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport if changes will be made to the local improvement scheme to widen the scope for applications to the scheme; if the need for the road to be used for farming will be changed to include a large number of roads in west Donegal which are widely used by the public but not used for farming purpose due to the rocky nature of the land in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31933/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government Act 2001 provides the statutory basis for a Local Improvement Scheme (LIS). Under that scheme, funding can be provided to local authorities for the construction and improvement of non-public roads (that is roads not taken in charge by local authorities) which meet the criteria set out in the Act. The Department of Rural and Community Development is providing funding for the LIS. My Department provides grant assistance to local authorities for the maintenance of public roads and is not operating a LIS for non-public roads.
This Department has no proposal to amend the existing legislative arrangements in relation to the criteria for the Local Improvement Scheme.
125. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport when the N2 upgrade will be carried out; if plans are in place to upgrade the road from Letterkenny to Lifford to link-up with the new A5 motorway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31935/22]
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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on.
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.
126. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the planned total investment in the national public service obligation bus fleet; and the increase anticipated in over all fleet numbers per year to 2030, in tabular form (details supplied). [32014/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost and number of fully electric vehicle buses to be added to he national fleet between now and 2030, in tabular form. [32015/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra128. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the planned increases in bus fleet numbers in public service obligation services in Galway, Cork Limerick and Waterford city services between now and 2030, in tabular form. [32016/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 127 and 128 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) hasresponsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the procurement of the PSO bus fleet.
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.
129. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the current total number of buses in the fleet of companies (details supplied); and the number of bus vehicles in these companies that are not included in the public service obligation numbers in tabular form. [32017/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 query raised in relation to the number of buses in the fleet of companies; and the number of bus vehicles in these companies that are not included in the public service obligation numbers is a matter for the individual companies. Therefore, I have referred this question to the operators for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
130. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a matter in relation to signage at a location (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32042/22]
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 operation and management 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 you.
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.
131. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider allowing the transfer of Ukrainian bus driver licences to an Irish bus driver licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32074/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences) (Ukraine) Order 2022. which came into effect on 22 April 2022, allows Ukrainians admitted to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive to exchange their Ukrainian licences for Irish category B licences (cars and light vehicles). Such licences are valid for 12 months. This measure was taken in response to the immediate and extraordinary humanitarian crisis arising from the conflict in Ukraine.
Anyone with an EU category B licence, which Ukrainians who exchange their licences will have, can apply for a bus licence in the normal way (theory test, learner permit and driving test).
132. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 4 May 2022, if he will provide a further update on the timeline to confirm the statutory instrument to give effect to the changes agreed in the CIÉ regular wages scheme. [32134/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCIÉ has prepared and submitted draft Statutory Instruments (SIs) to give effect to the proposed changes to the Regular Wage Scheme (RWS). These changes have been agreed by the trustees of the Scheme, the employees and the CIÉ Group following extensive and prolonged engagement between all parties.
There are a number of steps before an SI can be made. In accordance with the provisions of Section 44(3) of the Transport Act 1950, I directed CIÉ to publish a statutory notice of the draft SIs in Iris Oifigiúil, which was advertised on the 14th of January 2022. 45 days were given to allow any person to make objections and representations in relation to the Scheme to me. The consultation period ended on the 28 February 2022 and my Department examined the submissions received.
As required under the Transport Act, consultation with the Minster for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the SIs has also taken place. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform recently gave his approval for my confirmation of the SIs. As such, officials in my Department are currently preparing the SIs for my signature which I expect will be completed shortly.
