Thursday, 17 Nov 2022

Written Answers Nos. 130-150

Business Supports

Ceisteanna (130)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

130. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason that companies in the primary agricultural, fishery or aquaculture sectors have been excluded from applying for funding from the Ukraine enterprise crisis scheme to assist with unprecedented high energy bills; if he will reconsider their exclusion or identify alternative supportive funding streams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57081/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The €200 million Ukraine Enterprise Crisis Scheme announced on 22nd October last and implemented through Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Údarás provides for two streams of funding to assist viable but vulnerable firms of all sizes in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors.

The first stream will assist firms suffering liquidity problems as a result of Russia’s war on Ukraine, and the second stream will also help those impacted by severe rises in energy costs.

The €1.25 billion Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS), announced in Budget 2023, and which is designed to be compliant with the EU State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework, will apply to both eligible businesses and eligible primary producers. Claims operate on a self-assessment basis and are subject to a monthly cap of €10,000. This is a significant measure at a time of escalating costs, which will be of direct assistance to both farmers and food businesses, including those in the seafood sector.

My Department is also working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the development of a new Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme. This scheme will make up to €500 million in low-cost investment loans of up to 10 years available to SMEs, including farmers and fishers and small mid-caps, with no collateral required for loans up to €500,000. In this scheme, a minimum of 30% of the lending volume will be targeted towards Environmental Sustainability purposes.

In addition, as announced in Budget 2023, the Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme is currently being drafted, which will have €1.2 billion lending capacity and will facilitate low-cost loans for working capital and short-term investment for SMEs, small mid-caps, and primary producers. It is proposed that personal guarantees and collateral requirements will not be required for loans of up to €250,000.

Labour Market

Ceisteanna (131)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

131. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the workforce drain, in particular, the high numbers of young persons emigrating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57117/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment

According to the latest available national figures, from the Central Statistics Office’s Labour Force Survey, employment levels reached 2.55 million in Q2 2022. We now have more people employed in our country than ever before, while the latest monthly unemployment rate, for October 2022, stands at 4.4% - levels not seen since 2005. These results are a testament to the hard work and resilience of the Irish people and enterprise. The rate of growth since the beginning of 2021 has been remarkable. Since Q1 2021, the number of people in employment has grown by 324,000, or 14.5%.

Much of the recent increase in employment has been driven by record levels of female labour market participation. There is currently a record-high 1.19 million women in employment – an increase of 164,400 since the start of 2021. As well as continued funding increases for early learning and childcare, interventions through Making Remote Work, our national Remote Work Strategy and Pathways to Work 2021-2025, have assisted in addressing obstacles to labour market inclusion for women.

Of this record employment total of 2.55 million in Q2 2022, 1.492 million was represented by workers aged between 15 and 44. The annual rise in employment for this age cohort was 125,900, or 9.2%. 35,100 of this number represented workers aged 15-19, 33,400 those aged 20-24, 31,600 those aged 25-34 and 26,000 those aged 35-44.

These record employment levels have also been supported by strong net inward migration in recent years, in particular amongst the 15-44 age group. According to Central Statistics Office figures, Ireland has experienced net inward migration every year since 2015 across all age groups, increasing from net inward migration of 5,900 in the year to April 2015, to 61,100 in the year to April 2022; almost 28,000 of this number for the year to April 2022 was accounted for by those arriving from Ukraine.

For the 15-24 age group, while there was net outward migration in the year to April 2021 of 3,400- an outflow which can be attributed to the impact of public health restrictions on workplaces and the education and training system- there was renewed inward migration of 7,400 in the year to April 2022. For the 25-44 age cohort, net inward migration declined from 18,500 in the year to April 2020, to 10,400 in the year to April 2021, while increasing to 31,600 in the year to April.

No similar age breakdown of migration is available by nationality, but the overall levels of emigration and immigration of Irish nationals have been stable each year since 2018, with immigration levels exceeding emigration. In that five year period, the immigration or return of Irish nationals has averaged 28,660 per year, while emigration has averaged 27,200.

Industrial Relations

Ceisteanna (132)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

132. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has initiated the stakeholder consultation regarding International Labour Organisation Convention No. 190; the timeline for the completion of same; and the date by which the Convention will be ratified by Ireland. [57176/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Ireland is committed to ratifying ILO Convention No.190. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment undertook a stakeholder consultation from 5th to 26th September 2022. It is intended to seek the formal approval of the Government for ratification, and I anticipate that the Instrument of Ratification can be signed as soon as is practicable thereafter.

Business Supports

Ceisteanna (133)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

133. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will clarify the holiday entitlements of employees under the employment wage subsidy scheme; and the way in which it should have been calculated. [57190/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The Department of Finance have responsibility for the employment wage subsidy scheme. I can confirm that the scheme did not affect any legal obligation that an employer had to their employee.

The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 sets out the key parameters around the taking of annual leave and payment of same. The terms and conditions of individual employment contracts may provide additional specifics within those parameters such as stipulations in relation to the entitlement to extra days' leave above what is statutorily required by the Act.

Section 19 of the Act provides that an employee shall be entitled to paid annual leave equal to:

(a) 4 working weeks in a leave year in which he or she works at least 1,365 hours (unless it is a leave year in which he or she changes employment),

(b) One third of a working week for each month in the leave year in which he or she works at least 117 hours, or

(c) 8 per cent of the hours he or she works in a leave year (but subject to a maximum of 4 weeks).

Where an individual believes they are being deprived of employment rights applicable to employees they may refer a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) where the matter can be dealt with by way of mediation or adjudication leading to a decision that is enforceable through the District Court. WRC inspectors can also be asked to investigate certain breaches. Complaints can be made on a single online complaint form available at the WRC’s website www.workplacerelations.ie

Exploration Industry

Ceisteanna (134)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

134. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of the issuance of an extended exploration licence to a company (details supplied); if this decision was subject to an analysis of the climate impacts of the potential extraction of fossil fuel in the field; if any analysis was carried out on the impact on Ireland’s climate targets and commitments under the Paris treaty; if he was given any legal advice that he was obliged to issue this licence; if any consideration was given to rejecting the application under the current terms and conditions of that licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57152/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

Ministerial consent was granted to extend the first phase of the licence referred to in the Question to 31 January 2024. This was an extension to the duration of the first phase of an existing licence as opposed to a follow-on authorisation.  Section 6.1 of the Policy Statement on Petroleum Exploration and Production in Ireland published on 12 August 2022, in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 (and which is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/3bcaf-policy-statement-on-petroleum-exploration-and-production-in-ireland/) relates to extensions to the term of an authorisations or phase.  As set out in the statement, the application was subject to a technical assessment and an assessment of the financial resources available to the applicant in order to undertake the relevant work programme, which is in line with the 2007 Licensing Terms of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production.  I as Minister will continue to take into account the public interest when considering all applications for the variation of the duration of individual phases of exploration licences and or the overall term

Environmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (136)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

136. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made in setting up structures for a deposit return scheme; when is it expected to commence; and the value of the deposit expected of consumers. [57179/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The framework for the establishment of a deposit return scheme (DRS) is set out in DRS Regulations (S.I. No. 599 of 2021) signed in November 2021. On 1st July 2022, I granted approval to Deposit Return Scheme Ireland CLG (DRSI trading as Re-turn) as the approved body to operate a DRS in Ireland. This approval was a vital foundational element for the project, giving DRSI the legal standing to establish a DRS and commence formal engagement with producers, retailers and other operators.Ireland's national DRS will be launched later this month when the scheme will open for registrations from producers and retailers. This is a major project involving the development of complex IT, infrastructure and communication systems, which will be delivered by DRSI over the course of 2023. The planned go-live date for consumers is February 2024. Under the DRS regulations, DRSI are required to submit their advice to me on the appropriate level of deposit and the type of deposit. I expect to receive that advice soon.

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (137)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

137. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the number of applications that have been received to date for grants to install EV chargers in the car parks of multi-unit residential developments; and if he plans initiatives to accelerate their take-up. [57180/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle charging network over the coming years. A draft national charging infrastructure strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the 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.

The Government’s EV target is a critical solution to reducing our transport emissions and is a key part of the strategy which also includes measures to reduce car journeys, through improved public and active transport networks.

Having an effective and reliable recharging network is essential to enabling drivers to choose electric. 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.

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 of 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. Further information on Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland and how to apply for the apartment charging grant is available at www.gov.ie/zevi .

I am pleased to note that since the apartment charging scheme opened, there has been nine applications with a request for the installation of 28 charge points and 479 parking spaces to be made EV ready.

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (138)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

138. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate the delay in the grant payment under the electric small public service vehicle scheme 2022 to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57051/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

The Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is in place to support the greening of the SPSV, or taxi, sector. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO2 emissions of a sector which typically has very high mileage, and also can positively influence the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.

The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department of Transport and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs. Queries on individual cases should be directed to the NTA as the scheme administrators.

Driver Test

Ceisteanna (139)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

139. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport if he will expedite a driving test for an employee (details supplied) who cannot get to work unless they can drive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57063/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The operation of the driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.

I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Departmental Priorities

Ceisteanna (140)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

140. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 307 of 21 April 2021, if consultants have been appointed for the purposes of providing a pedestrian footbridge over the Owenriff river in Oughterard; when he expects this work to commence; when the work will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57071/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As 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 the footbridge over the Owenriff River.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Company Registration

Ceisteanna (141)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

141. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will examine a matter for a retailer (details supplied). [57114/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The policy adopted by my Department around the issuance of motor dealer identity numbers has not changed. The Department through the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) maintains a record of the ‘registered owners’ of motor vehicles. The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (SI No. 385 of 1992) and amendments made thereon set out the procedures regarding notification and recording of changes of vehicle ownership. Central to this is notifications of vehicle ownership changes from motor dealers.

In the administration of this system, motor dealers who are issued an identity number from the Department, are, in effect, given special 'dispensation' as they are not required to pay motor tax, or complete a non-use declaration, while the vehicle is in their ownership but not on a public road. Neither are they regarded as a registered owner of the vehicle when it is subsequently sold. The presumption is that vehicles in the ownership of motor dealers are not used in a public place and if they are, it is under the cover of a Trade Plate, or have been taxed and used for private purposes.

In this regard, the Department have strict requirements in issuing identity numbers, and must be satisfied as to the authenticity of the applicant. Identity codes are only issued to a registered company or a sole trader on completion of a standard application form.

The application must include:

- copy of a premises rateable valuation receipt, or planning permission for such premises granted under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1963, the same as an application for a Trade Licence. If leasing a premises, rates must be paid on the leased premises.

- copy of current motor trade insurance policy

- VAT number or PPSN number (whichever applicable)

- If the application is in the name of a registered company (registered with the CRO) a registration number is required

It is important to note that the requirement for a suitable business premises is similar to what is required where a motor dealer requires a trade plate, or to be an authorised motor trader with the Revenue Commissioners.

My officials in the Driver Vehicle and Computer Services Division, who administer the issuance of identity codes, are happy to discuss the matter further with the individual concerned if he wishes to make contact with them.

Departmental Reviews

Ceisteanna (142)

Alan Dillon

Ceist:

142. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport if he requires the formation of the Northern Ireland Executive to sign off on the publication of the All-Ireland Strategic Rail Review, north and south; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57130/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

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.

I look forward to a draft report from the Review being ready before the end of the year. Publication of the final report will follow after it has been considered and approved at Ministerial level on both sides of the border.

Rail Network

Ceisteanna (143)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

143. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the proposals that he has put to the Government in relation to the upgrade of the rail line from Foynes to Limerick; the decisions that have been taken in relation to this vital project; the amount that will be expended on this project; the details of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57151/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network, including the rehabilitation of the rail link from Shannon Foynes Port to Limerick, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.

I can confirm that €64 million is to be allocated this year from my Department to Iarnród Éireann in respect of the Foynes Line Rehabilitation Works for 2022. This is additional to the total allocation already provided for in the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) for this year for the entire rail network.

The Deputy may wish to note that as a port on the European TEN-T Core Network, it is a requirement under EU regulations that a rail link to Shannon Foynes be developed by 2030.

Bus Services

Ceisteanna (144)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

144. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the bus companies that were fined by the NTA due to the fact that they did not comply with their public service obligations in providing bus services; the location of the substandard services; the details of the fine in each case; if the NTA had to obtain his approval to impose these fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57156/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

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.

Further, as part of the NTA’s contractual performance monitoring system with the operators, issues of poor reliability and punctuality performance can result in financial penalties for those operators. The NTA, as the independent Transport Regulator, does not seek my approval for imposing these fines.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (145)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

145. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the way that it is intended to classify electric scooters in the context of use of cycle lanes, speed restrictions and obligations to get insurance; and his views on the separations between the traditional divide between mechanically-propelled and those propelled by personal power. [57181/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

E-scooters have become widely available in recent years. In Ireland, as elsewhere, much of our road traffic legislation pre-dates vehicles of this kind. Under Irish law, they are mechanically propelled vehicles, and may only be used in a public place if they are registered, taxed and insured and the user has the appropriate driving licence. As e-scooters are not type-approved, they cannot be registered or taxed and there is no appropriate licence category, and they cannot be legally used on public roads.

It is intended, as soon as possible and in accordance with the Programme for Government, to provide a clear legal framework for the use of e-scooters on public roads. The Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, currently before the Oireachtas, introduces a new vehicle category, powered personal transporters or PPTs. Following enactment of the Bill, e-scooters will no longer be classed as mechanically propelled vehicles and will instead be classed as PPTs.

It is important to clarify that the Bill does not allow or regulate the use of e-scooters. Instead, it enables regulations to be made to allow the use of specific PPTs, such as e-scooters, on public roads.

Following regulation, e-scooters will, in many respects, be treated in the same way as bicycles in relation to use and to traffic legislation. It is not intended to subject e-scooters to tax, insurance, registration or operator licensing requirements. However, I do intend to restrict their use to public roads and cycle lanes and to apply design restrictions for them to be legal to use on public roads. E-scooters which do not comply with these criteria will remain illegal for public road use. A maximum speed limit will apply and technical requirements, including for lighting and construction, will be introduced.

Bus Services

Ceisteanna (146)

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

146. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the estimated investment to date in the Dublin BusConnects initiative; the estimated final cost; and the expected impact when it is fully in place in terms of extra passengers, extra peak hour share, extra buses in the system, and reduced emissions from city transport. [57182/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As 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 BusConnects Dublin.

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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Road Safety

Ceisteanna (147, 149)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

147. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of disqualification court orders received from the Courts Service per year from 2017 to date in 2022 in which the RSA could not match a disqualification against drivers who have an Irish driving licence or learner permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57197/22]

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

149. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the number of driver disqualifications received from the Courts Service per year from 2017 to date in 2022 which resulted in mismatches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57199/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 149 together.

My responses to Parliamentary Questions 210 of 25 October 2022 and 193 of 8 November 2022 addressed this matter. Unmatched records, referred to as "shell" records are created only in situations where an Irish Driving Licence or Learner Permit could not be matched to an individual; and as such the number of Irish Driving Licence holders or Learner Permit holders on the shell record file is zero.

The number of shell records is as provided in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 210 of 25 October 2022. The details for the period January to 14 November 2022 is as follows:

Number of Driver Disqualifications Imposed	2022 to date
Irish Driver Records	5,425
Shell Record	1.680
Total	7,105
% Matched	76%

Road Safety

Ceisteanna (148)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

148. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm that the automation process for sending notification of driver disqualifications by the Courts Service to Transport, which went live in September 2022 in phase 1 of the programme of work, will only automate records of disqualified drivers where a driver number has been captured; if he will report on the progress of phase ll of the programme of work which will cover all remaining records and the date set for completion of phase ll; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57198/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Where the driver disqualification details supplied by the Courts Service to the National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) include a driver number, and match a driver record on my Department's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF), the disqualification is automatically applied to the driver record concerned.

It is a legal requirement to bring your licence to court. However, as per my response, to Parliamentary Question 52722/22, where the court order cannot be matched automatically, the NDLS attempt to match the record manually. Over 75% of records are matched automatically or as a result of the manual matching process by the NDLS. The remaining 25% of court orders are assigned to ‘Shell’ driver records, where the details supplied could not be matched to any driving licence or learner permit holder on the NVDF. This could be a result of the driver never having an Irish licence or the driver holding a foreign licence.

There are currently no plans by my Department for a subsequent phase of this project.

Question No. 149 answered with Question No. 147.

Departmental Reports

Ceisteanna (150)

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

150. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport when the report from the public consultation on proposed small public service vehicle (contingency measure – vehicle supply) (maximum permissible age) regulations will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57247/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy may be aware, the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.

Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51