Written Answers Nos. 214-233
214. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he was informed that the proposed cycle path from Whitestrand to the Barna Road, Galway, would remove a section of public road space from the Salthill diving board to the Barna Road before approving funding of the engineering design works. [51916/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. The National Transport Authority (NTA) in turn works with local authorities to determine funding for specific projects and oversees their development including the relevant design works.
In 2022, €289 million was allocated to the National Transport Authority (NTA) to fund walking and cycling around the country. Noting the NTA's role in relation to the Deputy's specific question about Galway, I have referred your question to that agency for a detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
215. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to many issues that commuters are reporting with the reliability of the Real Time passenger information system for buses in Dublin, particularly the inconsistencies between the information on the TFI Real Time Ireland app, the Dublin Bus app and the RTPI screens at bus stops; if his Department has had contact with the National Transport Authority and or Bus Átha Cliath in relation to such reliability issues; the steps that are being taken to ensure that the issues are resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51109/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to many issues that commuters are reporting with the reliability of the Real Time passenger information system for trains serving Kildare, particularly the inconsistencies between the information on the Irish Rail app and the screens at train stations; if his Department has had contact with the National Transport Authority and or Irish Rail in relation to such reliability issues; the steps that are being taken to ensure that the issues are resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51110/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. In addition, the NTA is also responsible for determining the organisation of shared systems such as real-time passenger information (RTPI).
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
217. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing issues that commuters are experiencing with the reliability of the scheduled 8.20 am train ex Sallins, which is now consistently delayed by between 10-20 minutes, which not only delays passengers on that service but on many occasions results in a missed connection to the 8.35 am ex Hazelhatch service, meaning that passengers cannot travel onwards to Grand Canal Dock as planned but must terminate at Heuston; if his Department has had contact with the National Transport Authority and or Irish Rail in relation to such reliability issues; the steps that are being taken to ensure that the issues are resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51111/22]
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 issue of the reliability of specific train services is first and foremost an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
218. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide assistance in relation to the lack of a bus shelter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51114/22]
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 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.
219. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of instances in which an Irish rail bridge has been struck by a vehicle in Dublin county and city in the past two years to date in 2022; the same information in respect of level crossing gates being struck; and the number of acts of vandalism on Irish rail assets and property in the same time period. [51160/22]
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 issues raised by the Deputy regarding the number of instances of Irish Rail bridges and level crossing gates in Dublin being struck by vehicles, as well the number of acts of vandalism on Irish rail assets and property are an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
220. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the total spend by his Department and the agencies under his remit on cybersecurity measures since 2019 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51183/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department takes the security of it’s Information Technology and email systems very seriously. It would not be appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to identify potential vulnerabilities in Departmental cybersecurity arrangements and for that reason I will not elaborate further on operational security matters. I can confirm that our technical staff continue to operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest levels, and are closely engaged with experts in the OGCIO and the NCSC to ensure that we follow best practice as it relates to all aspects of Cybersecurity.
I have referred your question to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
221. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the proportion of his Department’s IT data that is stored in the cloud; the proportion of the data held by all agencies and subsidiaries of his Department in the cloud; if this represents an improvement; if so, the development that has been made towards cloud storage since 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51207/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently stores a low proportion of data in the cloud. We have an agreed Cloud Computing policy in place since September 2021 which has established a cloud first strategy in the development of all new systems in line with the Government’s Cloud Computing Advice Note of October 2019. Those systems that have moved to the cloud have proved successful and my Department will continue to examine its systems and migrate same when and where appropriate to ensure the full advantages of cloud computing are realised.
I have referred your question to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
222. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action that is being taken to support businesses with the cost of petrol and diesel, particularly those that employ drivers, in view of increased prices since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51209/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ukraine crisis and matters arising from it continue to adversely affect European and Global oil markets, causing a sustained increase in the price of crude and in the price of refined products on the retail market.
The Government recognises the important role the haulage sector plays in supporting the economy and is fully aware of cost pressures on haulage businesses arising from high fuel prices in particular since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine.
The Government has put in place several measures to ease these cost pressures:
- On 10 March 2022, in direct response to the crisis in Ukraine, the Government introduced an Excise duty reduction of 15 cent per litre of diesel. This has now been extended to 28 February 2023.
- On 15 March 2022, the Government introduced the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme. The Scheme was administered by the Department of Transport and provided a temporary financial support of €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. There was good uptake of the scheme, with over €15.6 million paid out to c. 3,080 operators (approx. 80% of licensed operators.)
- The Revenue Diesel Rebate Scheme (‘DRS’) has been in place since 2013 and remains available to licensed haulage operators in respect of vehicles over 7.5 tonnes. At diesel prices over €1.43 (including VAT), the maximum rebate of 7.5 cent per litre is provided. Data from the Revenue Commissioners shows that not all licensed operators currently avail of this support – I would encourage all eligible operators to do so.
- The rising cost of fuel was further recognised by the Government in the Budget through the reduction of the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) Levy to zero. The reduction of the NORA levy, which had been collected at a rate of 2 cent per litre, will help offset the carbon tax increase of just over 2 cent which took effect on 12 October, meaning that the price of fuel will not go up as a result of taxes or levies.
However, it should be noted that the causes of the current fuel price pressures are not within the control of Government and are being directly influenced by external factors, including the Ukraine crisis. Unfortunately, we must accept that it will not be possible to fully insulate citizens and businesses from the impact of these fuel price increases.
Since early March with the benefit of the excise reduction, 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.
The Government has limited resources but through the Excise measure, as well as the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme, it has responded to help to ease the impact of these price increases.
223. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will review a bus service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51219/22]
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question in relation to the timetabling of public transport to MTU in Tralee, to the NTA for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
224. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the reason that a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51220/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test service, this question is being referred 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.
225. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the names of all special advisors working in his Department; the Minister and Junior Minister who each advisor is associated with and their respective salaries, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51266/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
From July 2020 costs of special adviser(s) to the Minister for Transport were absorbed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
The salary costs for the advisers to Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton are detailed below:
|
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton |
Cost |
|
Special Advisor Paul Melia |
€106,518 |
|
Press Advisor Denise Duffy |
€106,518 |
226. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the way he intends to address the issue of a lack of morning bus services to Limerick city from Charleville, County Cork which is an ongoing issue for years (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the fact that at the same time, the NTA continue to refuse private bus operators licences to stop in Charleville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51314/22]
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. In addition, the NTA is also responsible for decisions relating to the granting of licences to private bus operators and I have no role in this matter.
In view of the above, 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.
227. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the way he intends to address the issue of Charleville students trying to access college in Limerick and Cork without adequate morning public transport services; if his attention has been drawn to dozens of parents that are making two trips daily to Limerick city due to a total lack of accommodation, which is adding to their carbon footprint and traffic congestion with parents adding 900km to their weekly driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51315/22]
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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to Charleville students trying to access college in Limerick and Cork without adequate morning public transport services, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
228. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport if he will extend the deadline for submissions for Metrolink beyond the deadline of 25 November 2022, in order to allow residents time to assess the lengthy application. [51342/22]
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 the Greater Dublin Area which includes, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), MetroLink.
The current arrangements for the MetroLink statutory consultation process are aligned with legislative requirements, with submissions to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála. TII and the NTA recognise that some aspects of the Railway Order process are quite technical and have set up a process to assist residents’ groups in interpreting technical designs, drawings, etc. and formulating their responses. Independent experts, RINA, have been appointed to review the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) on behalf of the residents’ groups and assist the residents in preparing their Railway Order submissions. Written submissions on the plans can be made to An Bord Pleanála until 25 November.
Given the statutory nature of this process, and the need to expeditiously advance the MetroLink planning stage, it is not my intention to seek an extension of the public consultation period from An Bord Pleanála.
229. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to reports that the independent experts RINA appointed by the National Transport Authority to assist resident stakeholders were not furnished with the draft application before the public, so now will not have a report ready for residents until ten days before the closing deadline, therefore not allowing residents time to fully participate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51343/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTransport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has undertaken a significant amount of work to decide the preferred route for MetroLink and the concerns and considerations of residents along the route have played an important role in this. A public consultation took place from 22 March to 11 May 2018 along the full length of the route and almost 8,000 submissions were received and considered by TII. A further round of public consultation on the route took place between 26 March and 21 May 2019, with over 2,000 submissions received. Following the submission of the Railway Order planning application from TII to An Bord Pleanála on 30 September, written submissions on the plans can also be made to An Bord Pleanála until 25 November.
TII and the National Transport Authority (NTA) recognise that some aspects of the Railway Order process are quite technical and have set up a process to assist residents’ groups in interpreting technical designs, drawings, etc. and formulating their responses. Independent experts, RINA, have been appointed to review the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) on behalf of the residents’ groups and assist the residents in preparing their Railway Order submissions.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The NTA has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area which includes, in conjunction with TII, MetroLink.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed direct reply to the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
230. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the number of new active transport infrastructure projects completed in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51369/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra231. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the number of upgraded active transport infrastructure projects completed in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51370/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra232. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of active transport infrastructure completed in 2021 including location of delivery, length of active transport route at each location, cost of project and nature of work completed in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51372/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra234. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of all the proposed active transport projects that applied for funding in 2021 but were incomplete by the end of Q4 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51374/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 230, 231, 232 and 234 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. In 2021, approximately €313 million was allocated through the National Transport Authority (NTA) to local authorities to fund walking and cycling around the country. The NTA works with the local authorities to determine funding for specific projects and oversees their development.
While this investment marked a large increase in the delivery and expenditure on Active Travel between 2020 and 2021, there was a significant under-spend last year compared to available funds. Factors constraining delivery of Active Travel infrastructure in 2021 included the impact of COVID restrictions, planning issues and staffing constraints. In 2022, however, many of the larger budgets and projects have now bedded-in, new staff are being recruited by the local authorities, and the situation is improving. We expect a much higher draw-down on available funds this year leading to increased delivery.
Noting the NTA's role in the matter, I have referred your specific questions to that agency for a more detailed reply . Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
233. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the funds allocated to each local authority in 2021; the amount of funds unspent, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51373/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy,
My Department issued funds to local authorities in 2021 in a wide range of areas. The areas included regional and local road improvement and maintenance, active travel, greenways and Electric Vehicle grant funding. Funds directly disbursed by the Department to local authorities are tabulated below.
Table 1: EV Grants
|
Local Authority |
Funds Allocated (2021) |
Amount Unspent (2021) |
|
Dublin City Council |
€35,779 |
0 |
Table 2: Environmental Remediation Works
|
Local Authority |
Funds Allocated (2021) |
Amount Unspent (2021) |
|
Wexford County Council |
€489,965.66 |
nil |
Table 3: Greenways
|
Greenways |
|
|
|
County |
Funds Allocated (2021) |
Amount Underspend (2021) |
|
Carlow |
€150,000 |
€150,000 |
|
Cavan |
€175,000 |
€98,891 |
|
Clare |
€200,000 |
€44,727 |
|
Cork |
€15,005,492 |
€11,810,511 |
|
Donegal |
€340,000 |
€293,344 |
|
Fingal |
€154,277 |
€154,277 |
|
Galway |
€5,615,621 |
€4,953,862 |
|
Kerry |
€10,195,879 |
€6,289,368 |
|
Kildare |
€3,191,681 |
€3,191,681 |
|
Leitrim |
€500,000 |
€437,821 |
|
Limerick |
€6,223,342 |
€220,000 |
|
Longford |
€1,701,402 |
€1,000,037 |
|
Louth |
€200,000 |
€198,264 |
|
Mayo |
€5,296,136 |
€4,750,357 |
|
Meath |
€260,685 |
€24,830 |
|
Monaghan |
€100,000 |
€69,250 |
|
Offaly/Waterways |
€5,048,600 |
€2,548,683 |
|
Roscommon |
€245,000 |
€244,366 |
|
Sligo |
€300,000 |
€223,544 |
|
South Dublin Co.Co. |
€1,400,000 |
€1,400,000 |
|
Tipperary |
€95,000 |
€0 |
|
Waterford |
€135,220 |
€135,220 |
|
Westmeath |
€183,369 |
€110,000 |
|
Dublin to Galway Greenway - Westmeath and associated counties /TII |
€8,100,000 |
€1,387,279 |
|
Wexford |
€10,729,147 |
€7,941,749 |
|
Wicklow |
€7,279,452 |
€7,117,203 |
The EV grant is for a pilot Community Mobility Charging Hub in Finglas which launched in September 2022. Following the transfer of New Ross Port to Wexford Council in 2019, the Department agreed to provide funding towards the remediation of some port sites which presented a potential for serious contamination or environmental risk.
The development of the Greenway network is now managed directly by TII, including the allocation of funding following agreement between the Department and TII during the course of 2021. The Department issued the 2021 grant funding round. Reasons for expenditure delays include planning and construction delays, and restrictions caused by Covid-19 health measures, which exacerbated these delays. In addition, €20m capital funding "carried over" from 2020 meant that some grant allocations for 2021 were not spent as Councils continued to spend the 2020 grant allocations on delayed projects.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for the policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. The National Transport Authority (NTA) in turn allocates this funding to local authorities and works with them to determine funding for specific projects and to oversee project development.
In 2021, €285.13 million was allocated to the National Transport Authority (NTA) to fund walking and cycling around the country. Noting the NTA's role in relation to this matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State Road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
In terms of the regional and local road grant funding allocated to each Local Authority in 2021, details of the regional and local road grant allocations to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. As regards the funding drawn down by each Local Authority in 2021, this is reflected in the regional and local road payments booklets which are also available in the Oireachtas Library.
