Written Answers Nos. 213-232
213. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of properties that are being leased by his Department that are currently vacant; and if he will provide a list of such properties. [52878/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have any vacant leased properties.
214. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the status of an application by a school (details supplied) for the safe-routes-to-school programme. [52920/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2021, I launched 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.
931 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June 2021 that they were selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme. The Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is supported by the Department of Education. An Taisce’s Green-Schools is coordinating the programme, while funding will be made available to local authorities who will play a key part in delivering the infrastructure along access routes and at the school gate.
I am aware that the school referred to in the Deputy's question has submitted an application under the Safe Routes to School Programme but was not selected for inclusion in Round 1. Given the nature of the programme, all 931 schools who applied will enter the programme on a rolling basis and there will be no requirement for those schools to reapply. Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question in relation to the status of this specific application to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
215. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide the details of the current appeals process for contesting a failed driving test due to alleged faulty brake lights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52939/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDriver testing in Ireland is carried out directly by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), to a standard that must comply with the EU Directive on Driving Licences.
In relation to a driving test not conducted due to a faulty breaking light issue, I am informed that a customer may, if aggrieved, make a complaint to the RSA. In the case where a complaint is not upheld, a response will issue clarifying the decision taken by the Authority not to conduct the test.
This response will normally refer to the ‘checklist for your driving test’ document which issues to each customer ahead of their scheduled test. If a customer is still dissatisfied, they may refer the matter to the office of the Ombudsman.
In the case where it is found that there was no valid reason for not conducting the test, the complaint is upheld, and the test applicant will be offered a free driving test.
216. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the status of a new bus route from Carlow to New Ross route A62; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52978/22]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland, including between Carlow and New Ross, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
217. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if a feasibility study of Metrolink south west Dublin is included within the Budget for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53008/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Budget 2023 expenditure allocation for carbon reduction and public transport is €1.53 billion, as announced on 27 September. Officials in my Department and the transport agencies are now working to agree more precise programme and project-level allocations for 2023, and these will be available in the Revised Estimates Volume before the end of the year. Once allocations are set, the exact activities that are expected to be funded in 2023 will be known. However, it is not envisaged that a feasibility study for a metro in the south-west of Dublin will be funded for 2023.
The Deputy may wish to note that the NTA's previous Metro-to-Knocklyon feasibility study concluded that a metro option is unlikely to be a cost-effective approach to enhancing public transport in this area of Dublin. The NTA's draft Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) 2022-2042 concludes that this corridor is best served by 'bus rapid transport' such as BusConnects.
While a metro to the south west of Dublin is not proposed before 2042 in the current draft GDA Transport Strategy, the NTA reviews and updates the strategy every 6 years and this proposal may be reconsidered in future.
218. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is considering implementing a Leap-90 system for Galway city, given that passengers must transfer buses in Eyre Square to get from one side of the city to the other; if his Department is engaging with a company (details supplied) to determine if it would be willing to participate in such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53026/22]
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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question in relation to the possible implementation of a Leap-90 system for Galway City, to the NTA for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
219. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will amend section 81 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 to allow for the use of CCTV evidence in cases of parking in bus lanes, parking in cycle lanes and driving in bus lanes, which are currently prohibited under various statutory instruments issued by previous Ministers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53029/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter.
Bus and cycle lanes are created to facilitate bus-based public transport and cycling. They are intended to facilitate the incentivised modal shift of private car occupants to the more efficient and sustainable travel modes. It is therefore in the travelling public's interest to abide by the statutory regulations governing the use of bus and cycle lanes and to ensure that they are not obstructed or misused in any way.
This is why it is an offence to either park or travel in contra-flow bus lanes at any time of the day or night, or in with-flow bus lanes during their displayed hours of operation. I understand that the statutory instruments relating to the offences referred to in the Deputy’s question are made under section 35 of the 1994 Road Traffic Act and that section 81 of the 1961 Road Traffic Act applies to this section and the regulations made under it.
Separate to the use of fixed CCTV camera evidence to prosecute offences such as the illegal parking or driving in bus lanes as provided for in section 81 of the 1961 Road Traffic Act, the Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 includes an action to investigate the possibility of also using bus-mounted cameras for enforcing the law in relation to the illegal use of bus lanes.
Specifically, Action 122 of the Strategy will “Examine the feasibility of utilising bus mounted cameras to detect and enforce illegal parking in bus lanes and if appropriate make recommendations for implementation.”
The National Transport Authority is the lead agency for this Action, and I look forward to considering any recommendations which may arise as a result of their considerations.
220. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the issues caused by delays in the 17 and 75 bus routes (details supplied); if he will ensure that action is taken to resolve the issues outlined by bus users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53034/22]
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.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
It is the case that operators in the public transport sector are experiencing difficulties with staffing both as a result of COVID-19 related absences and also difficulties in recruiting new drivers; however, it is also the case that Go-Ahead Ireland is experiencing higher than normal levels of Covid-related staff absences at present resulting in a knock-on effect on service delivery, including the 17 and 75 bus routes, with some services not operating as scheduled.
As part of the NTA’s performance monitoring system poor reliability and punctuality performance does result in financial penalties. I am informed that these matters will be discussed between the NTA and Go-Ahead Ireland at their forthcoming quarterly review meeting.
The NTA also formally meets Go-Ahead Ireland on a weekly basis to review performance, associated customer feedback and driver recovery plans and will continue to monitor and engage closely with the operator in an effort to improve the situation.
Operators are forecasting improvements in reliability in the coming months, dependent on successful recruitment and retention of critical staff, in particular drivers, and it is hoped that this will help to resolve to current reliability issues being experienced.
221. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider issuing a directive that cyclists and scooter users should have bells on their bicycle or scooter for safety reasons when using public roads or parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53048/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic and Roads Bill, which is currently before the Seanad, will provide powers to regulate powered personal transporters, including vehicles such as e-scooters. The need for audible warning devices for e-scooters will be considered by my department in the context of those regulations.
222. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the poor service provided by company (details supplied) on many of its routes, including late and cancelled services and no updates on the app; the steps that can be taken to improve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53051/22]
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.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
It is the case that operators in the public transport sector are experiencing difficulties with staffing both as a result of COVID-19 related absences and also difficulties in recruiting new drivers; however, it is also the case that Go-Ahead Ireland is experiencing higher than normal levels of Covid-related staff absences at present resulting in a knock-on effect on service delivery with some services not operating as scheduled.
As part of the NTA’s performance monitoring system poor reliability and punctuality performance does result in financial penalties. To date, as part of this performance monitoring process, penalties were applied to Go-Ahead Ireland for Q4 2021 and Q1 2022, amounting to €266,968 and €209,188 respectively
The NTA also formally meets Go-Ahead Ireland on a weekly basis to review performance, associated customer feedback and driver recovery plans and will continue to monitor and engage closely with the operator in an effort to improve the situation.
Operators are forecasting improvements in reliability in the coming months, dependent on successful recruitment and retention of critical staff, in particular drivers, and it is hoped that this will help to resolve to current reliability issues being experienced.
223. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a timeline for his Department and the Local Government Management Agency to publish plans to deliver EV charging solutions to persons living in housing without a driveway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53100/22]
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. As you are aware, 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 195,000 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 later this year.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
On 21st July I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. A suite of new grants and initiatives have been launched including the Apartment Charging Grant. This grant is for dwellings which do not have access to a driveway such as apartments, duplexes and mixed developments. Management companies can now apply for up to 80% funding for infrastructure costs when installing an EV charging system in multi unit residences.
ZEVI is also in the process of developing new residential charging grant which will focus on providing neighbourhood and residential charging solutions, targeting areas where off-street charging is either limited or not possible.
The launch of this scheme is planned to take place in 2023.
Additionally, €10 million has been committed from the Climate Action Fund to support ESB investment in the publicly accessible charging network and this has leveraged a further €10 million investment from ESB, with the infrastructure to be in place by the end of 2022.
In terms of progress ESB eCars have:
- One hub of 4 High-Powered Chargers with 8 charging bays constructed, with 2 in progress. There is an overall target of 6 sites.
- One hub consisting of 2 High-Powered Chargers with 4 charging bays completed with a further 10 currently in design/construction.
- 16 hubs of 1 High-Powered Charger and 1 Fast Charger with 3 charging bays completed with a further 9 currently in design/construction.
- Completed the upgrade of 40 Standard 22kW chargers to DC Fast 50kW chargers.
- Completed the replacement of 250 Standard 22kW AC chargers.
Further details on the progression of this project can be found at esb.ie/ecars/our-network/network-upgrades.
Further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland is available at www.gov.ie/zevi.
224. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the number of vacant positions currently in Dublin Bus, noting the ongoing recruitment campaign to recruit 450 drivers and 50 mechanics and engineering operatives in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53106/22]
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 management and operational aspects of public transport.
The matter raised in relation to the number of vacant positions currently in Dublin Bus is an operational matter for the company. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Dublin Bus for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
225. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of hybrid, electric and hydrogen buses that will be delivered in 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [53184/22]
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 procurement of the Public Service Obligation 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.
226. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus and heavy goods vehicles driving tests that were carried out in each driving test centre within County Tipperary in July, August and September 2022, in tabular form. [53185/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for the operation of the driving test service and the information requested is held by them.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
227. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the consideration that is being given to bringing forward a standalone feasibility study into light rail, including very light rail in Galway, as opposed to the matter being considered as part of the upcoming review of the Galway Transport Strategy in view of a recent decision (details supplied) by An Bord Pleanála and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53194/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy knows, I believe that a feasibility study for light rail in Galway is best considered within the context of the review of the Galway Transport Strategy, which will commence this year, rather than a stand-alone study. This will allow for a multi-modal perspective and integration within an overall land-use plan.
The review of the strategy and the development of a new Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy will be led by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in cooperation with Galway City and County Councils. The review process will include a comprehensive analysis of changes to population projections, development density, employment forecasts and future travel demand patterns since the finalisation of the current strategy in 2016. This analysis will be utilised to reassess the public transport needs across Galway city and the potential role all modes of transport, including light rail/very light rail, can play in meeting those needs.
The NTA will undertake a comprehensive public consultation exercise on a draft strategy as part of the development process, with an expected publication of a final strategy before the end of 2023.
228. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport his views on increasing the fines for public transport providers who do not accommodate persons with guide dogs or assistance dogs. [53274/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding relating to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the day-to-day operations and promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network, in both urban and rural areas.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities, for providing an integrated accessible public transport network and including fixed payment offences, 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.
229. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will request Irish Rail to carry out a feasibility study for a dual railway line between Mullingar and Maynooth. [53329/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It will inform the development of the railway sector on the Island of Ireland over the coming decades.
The Strategic Rail Review is considering the future of the rail network with regard to the following ambitions: improving sustainable connectivity between the major cities (including the potential for higher/high-speed), enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development and rail connectivity to our international gateways. This also includes the role of rail freight.
The Review is also considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing, or potential future, corridors of the network including disused and closed lines.
The Government has previously stated its belief in the potential of rail. It is vital that we address constraints in the rail sector and deliver a strategy which allows rail to fulfil its potential as a sustainable mode of transport in pursuit of decarbonisation priorities, rural connectivity objectives and as a generator of prosperity for people across Ireland.
In advance of the Review concluding, it would be premature to request that Iarnród Éireann conducts a feasibility study on double tracking of the line between Mullingar and Maynooth. I look forward to a draft report from the Review being ready before the end of the year.
230. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport the current status of an application for funding for a town bus service for Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53338/22]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
231. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport the reason that County Galway was excluded from pathfinder funding for cycling and active travel projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53367/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pathfinder Programme is designed to demonstrate how Local Authorities and Transport Agencies can develop practical sustainable mobility measures that will have a genuinely transformative impact on how we travel, and how we can do this at speed. The proposals that have been selected to the Programme are a representative sample of the over 55 projects that were proposed by every Local Authority across the country. It is intended that these projects will provide a template that can be replicated and scaled-up elsewhere, with a strong emphasis on experimental and innovative approaches.It important to note that the Pathfinder Programme is not a new funding stream. It is an initiative aimed at ensuring that the projects selected provide the impetus to deliver quickly (by the end of 2025), and to showcase and demonstrate what can be achieved with the right level of ambition and innovation.
The Assessment team and SMP Leadership Group considered all the proposals against the criteria for the Pathfinder programme. My Department has already written to all local authorities laying out in more detail the rationale for these assessments and why certain proposals were not selected. It should be noted that one of the proposals put forward by Galway County Council, focused on Safe Routes to School infrastructure in Oranmore, will indeed be progressed as part of a wider Pathfinder Project which will accelerate the Safe Routes to School programme across the country.In addition, it is worth noting that the Pathfinder Project for Galway City - which is the Cross-City Link element of the wider BusConnects project - will also make a real difference to the lives of those living in Galway city and county who must commute into and through the city for work, education, and other essential aspects of their daily lives.I would like to re-iterate that not being selected as a Pathfinder Project does not mean that the proposals submitted should not proceed where already planned. My Department will work with the relevant Local Authorities to provide feedback and supports to ensure that all are able to extract benefits and learnings from the programme. All local authorities will also have access to training workshops being developed through the Regional Assemblies to build capacity and learn from the experience of those Pathfinders selected, as part of the ‘Smart and Sustainable Mobility Training Workshops’ Pathfinder - a capacity-building and education initiative for Local Authorities (LAs), Councillors and Public.
232. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the measures that he is taking to support hauliers with the increasing price of fuel; if there are plans to extend or renew the licensed haulage support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53372/22]
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.
Since March 2022, the Government has put in place several measures to help ease these cost pressures:
- On 10 March 2022, to alleviate the impact of rising fuel prices, the Government introduced VAT inclusive excise duty reductions of 15 cent per litre of diesel and 20 cent per litre on petrol. A further reduction of 1 cent per litre (VAT inclusive) applied from 1 April 2022 to offset the impact of anticipated increased prices as a result of the increase in the Biofuel Obligation Scheme administered by Minister for Transport and Environment, Climate and Communications. These reductions were due to expire on 12 October 2022 but in recognition of continuing elevated costs these measures were extended out in Budget 2023 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 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 has been further recognised by the Government through the reduction of the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) Levy to €0.001. 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.
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, it isn’t possible to fully insulate citizens and businesses from the impact of these fuel price increases.
With the benefit of the Excise reduction, the 8 weeks support under the Licensed Haulage Support Scheme and the ongoing Diesel Rebate relief and NORA levy reduction, haulage businesses 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. It is important that all businesses, large and small, across the economy share the pain of these cost increases - where it is possible to review contractual arrangements to provide for such sharing in these difficult times, I would encourage all businesses to adopt a fair and reasonable approach.
We will continue to monitor the evolution of fuel prices in the period ahead and we will remain engaged on an ongoing basis with the sectoral representative bodies.
