Written Answers Nos. 204-223
204. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if he or any officials from his Department or from bodies under the aegis of his Department travelled to the Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Change Conference; the number who travelled; the costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57325/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI attended the COP27 Climate Change Conference from the 12th of November. I was not accompanied by officials from the Department of Transport.
The conference closed on the 18th of November. Final details of the costs involved are not yet available and I understand that my officials in the Department of Environment, Climate & Communications will provide these to Deputy Nolan at a later date.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of the Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
205. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will review the route of the Rural Link bus managed from the Tipperary Rural Link office to accommodate persons from the Knock area in County Tipperary to travel to Roscrea town (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57333/22]
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 management of the Rural Transport Programme, which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in County Tipperary, 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.
206. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57338/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 was adopted at the 96th session of the International Labour Conference on 14 June 2007. The Convention aims to ensure decent conditions of work in fishing regarding minimum requirements for work on board, conditions of service, accommodation and food, occupational safety and health protection, and medical care and social security.
In May 2012, the EU social partners in the sea fisheries sector reached an agreement concerning the ILO Work in Fishing Convention. The agreement aimed to promote the ratification of the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, create a level playing field within the EU fishing sector and improve the living and working conditions of fishers on board sea going fishing vessels. On 31 January 2017, Council Directive 2017/159 on the implementation of the social partners' agreement on the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
My department transposed this Directive in full in 2020 through a package of Regulations dealing with a range of issues such as:
- Hours of work and rest
- Manning
- Medical examinations
- Minimum age
- Fishing vessel owner liability and repatriation
- Food and accommodation
- Minimum safety and health requirements for improved medical treatment on board vessels.
While the Directive reflects most of the requirements of the Work in Fishing Convention, there is a need to ratify the Convention before any remaining elements of the Convention could be provided for by relevant Departments. These elements include some additional requirements in relation to application of the Convention, payment of fishers, recruitment services, social protection and issuing of compliance certificates under the Convention.
As you know, primary legislation is required in the first instance to allow us to ratify the Work in Fishing Convention. In this regard, officials in my department are working on a general scheme for a planned Merchant Shipping (International Conventions) Bill. This is at the preparatory stages, prior to seeking Government approval for its drafting in due course. It is hoped that such approval will be received in the second half of 2023. The main purpose of the Bill is to provide the required legislative framework for Ireland to become a party to several international maritime conventions. Progress of any such Bill is, of course, subject to pre-legislative scrutiny in the first instance followed by passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
207. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if studies have been conducted on the way that projects relating to BusConnects, MetroLink and the Royal Canal Greenway will impact local communities during their respective construction phases, particularly in the Dublin 7 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57364/22]
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 BusConnects programmes and MetroLink.
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.
208. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the Government policy on the increased use of HVO fuels in transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57383/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is a bioliquid, which when used in the transport sector is referred to as a biofuel. HVO bioliquid is also used as renewable energy for heating and power generators.
Biofuels are a core transitional technology relied upon for the medium-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the road transport sector, accounting for 1.1MT CO2eq of the transport sector decarbonisation target to be achieved by 2030 under the Climate Action Plan. In 2021, approximately 246m litres (7.6 PJ) of biofuel, including HVO, was placed on the market.
The Renewable Fuel for Transport Policy Statement 2021 sets out the pathway to the achievement of Climate Action Plan (CAP21) targets and European obligations concerning sustainability and GHG reduction criteria for renewable energy in transport. The policy sets out that the renewable transport fuel blending obligation (RTFO) rate, provided for under Part 5A of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007, will be increased annually to achieve a blend of E10 (i.e., 10% bioethanol in petrol) and B20 (i.e., 20% biodiesel in diesel) by 2030. Additional supply of HVO will be critical in ensuring the B20 by 2030 target is met.
One of the key challenges for increasing the supply of biofuels, including HVO, is ensuring sustainability and availability. My department recently published a biofuel study report estimating the projected consumption of biodiesel, including HVO, of between 570-730m litres under a B20 by 2030 blending scenario. There is potential for indigenous production to scale up to between 435m and 735m litres of biodiesel/HVO in 2030, but with low recoverable feedstock supplies (potential for 70m litres of biodiesel from indigenous feedstock) reliance on imported feedstocks (UCO and tallow) will continue to be high.
Supply of UCO is limited and additional demand for it will impact on its cost and may heighten the risk of fuel fraud in global supply chains. To combat this the EU is introducing more rigorous verification requirements including an EU database for all biofuel supply. In this regard, my department engages with the European Commission on an ongoing basis, including through the working group on sustainability, set up under the Renewable Energy Directive.
209. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the specific criteria for inclusion of a project in the active travel funding administered by his Department. [57417/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have overall responsibility for the development of policy and provision of funding around Active Travel, however the responsibility for project selection and delivery falls to the NTA in coordination with the relevant local authorities. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport and active travel infrastructure, including cycling infrastructure.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
210. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if a scheme is available for the restoration and repair of footpaths; and, if so, the grant limits under this scheme. [57418/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for the overall policy and funding of Active Travel infrastructure. The allocation of this funding to the various local authorities falls to the National Transport Authority (NTA) who are responsible for overseeing the delivery of both new projects and upgrading of existing infrastructure.
Investment in Active Travel infrastructure, including footpaths, has increased significantly in recent years, with around €289 million allocated to the NTA for such projects this year alone.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days please contact my private office.
Separately, while my Department provides grant support for road maintenance and renewal programmes under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme it does not have a specific grant programme for the restoration and repair of footpaths; however, local authorities have the option to fund these types of works from certain grant programmes.
211. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if officials in his Department have been contacted by Cork City Council regarding the John F Connolly Road; if so, the date of this contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57419/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 grants, where applicable.
Under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme, my Department provides funding for road rehabilitation works under the Restoration Improvement Grant and each Council is required to submit a 3-year programme of works. In November 2021 Cork City Council submitted its 2022 to 2024 programme which provides for road pavement improvement works on the John F Connolly road in 2023.
212. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if there is any guidance, circular or legislation governing the replacement of traffic lights; and if funding is available to local authorities for same. [57421/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegal responsibility for public roads is vested in the County Councils and City Councils. These local authorities, in discharging their road functions, are referred to as ‘road authorities’.
Section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 notes that “a road authority may provide in respect of public roads in their charge such information signs and warning signs as they consider desirable” This includes the erection, maintenance and operation of traffic signals.
Section 95 also provides for the Minister to issue a direction to road authorities in relation to the provision of traffic signs. In this context, the Traffic Signs Manual, specifically Chapter 9, provides details of the traffic signals which shall be used both at new installations or when replacing equipment at existing locations. The layout, symbols and the circumstances in which each signal may be used are outlined in this chapter. The Traffic Signs Manual is available at www.trafficsigns.ie where each chapter can be downloaded individually.
As regards the funding that is available to local authorities for the replacement of traffic lights, under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme's Discretionary Grant, Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works which includes the provision and maintenance of traffic signals.
As part of the Active Travel Programme, the National Transport Authority may upgrade traffic signals to provide compliant accessible crossings. However, no separate funding is available to local authorities for the maintenance of existing traffic signals.
213. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on a replacement service on the Tullamore to Athlone route (details supplied). [57435/22]
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 NTA, which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally by way of public transport services contracts, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators, will assess whether Flagline Ltd decision to withdraw their services will give rise to any loss of connectivity. The Authority will also consider whether there is a need to provide additional public service obligation services in the affected areas.
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 reply within ten working days.
214. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will arrange for a bus shelter to be erected in Ballynacargy, County Westmeath, given that the centre of the village is heavily used by bus passengers. [57502/22]
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 and 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.
215. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if workers at Irish Rail, Dublin Luas, Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus and in a company (details supplied) will be provided with free public transport across all public transport networks in the State; and if they will also be provided with free public transport for a nominated partner and family member. [57504/22]
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 issue of free travel for employees and a nominated partner and family member would fall within the terms of employment offered and would be a matter for the individual public transport operators.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to each of the named operators for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
216. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if all audio announcements and display announcement boards are fully working on all DART carriages; if not, when remaining announcement areas will be in full working order; the estimated cost it will take to ensure that announcements on all DARTs are fully working. [57578/22]
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 audio and display announcements on board DART carriages is 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.
217. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority will fund the installation of a shelter at a location (details supplied). [57579/22]
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 and bus 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.
218. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if Aer Rianta International, as a subsidiary of the Dublin Airport Authority, currently operates overseas retail spaces in either the United States of America or an Australian airport. [57580/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that Aer Rianta International (ARI) do not currently operate any retail spaces in airports in the United States of America or in Australia.
A full list of all locations ARI currently operate in is available online at their website, www.ari.ie.
219. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority will consider extending the free travel currently offered to staff of Luas, Go Ahead and Dublin Bus on each respective service to cover all three transport operators, regardless of which of the three individual operators where a person works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57633/22]
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 issue of free travel for employees falls within the terms of employment offered and would be a matter for the individual public transport operators.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to each of the named operators for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
220. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons who have used LocalLink bus services by route in County Kilkenny to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57701/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The 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 the Rural Transport Programme management, which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in County Kilkenny, 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 days.
221. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport the amount paid to Limerick City and County Council for restoration and maintenance of roads in each of the years 2011 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57870/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
As regards the amount that has been paid to Limerick City and County Council for the restoration and maintenance of regional and local roads in each of the years 2011 to 2021, details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
The tables included in the allocations and payments booklets outline expenditure by type of grant programme. For the Deputy's information an explanation of the purpose of the main Regional and Local Road Grant Programmes is set out below:
Restoration Maintenance (RM): The purpose of the RM grant is to protect the structural integrity of the road by way of surface dressing through the sealing of the road surface. The purpose of restoration maintenance is to maintain the asset before it requires improvement.
Restoration Improvement Grant (RI): The RI grant programme is the main road strengthening programme and caters for surface restoration, pavement overlay works, complete road rehabilitation works and for drainage works where required.
Discretionary Grant (DG): Councils have discretion in spending these grants for improvement and maintenance works subject to selecting from a list of eligible works. However Councils are requested to prioritise projects which involve strengthening works, remedying road defects, winter maintenance and drainage works.
Bridge Rehabilitation (BR): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake bridge rehabilitation works.
Safety Improvement Works (BS): This programme allows local authorities to apply for monies to undertake safety improvement works.
Community Involvement Scheme (CIS): Facilitates community involvement in the repair and improvement of roads.
Drainage Programme (DR): The purpose of this grant is to promote network resilience.
Former National Roads (FN): The purpose of this grant is to provide assistance to local authorities specifically for the maintenance of former national roads.
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (CCAR): The purpose of this grant is to provide assistance to local authorities for road adaptation/resilience works which have become necessary due to the effects of climate change.
Specific Grant and Strategic Grants: The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific and Strategic grant programmes. Instead it considers projects on a case by case basis taking into account the availability of funding and the outcome of project appraisals.
To date in 2022, the amount that Limerick City and County Council has drawn down is set out in the table below.
|
Grant Programme |
Amount Paid to Date in 2022 |
|
Restoration Maintenance |
€1,720,524 |
|
Restoration Improvement |
€9,299,009 |
|
Discretionary Grant |
€3,596,972 |
|
Bridge Rehabilitation |
€234,444 |
|
Safety Improvement Works |
€213,885 |
|
Community Involvement Scheme |
€551,585 |
|
Drainage Programme |
€683,619 |
|
Former National Roads |
€0 |
|
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience |
€272,799 |
|
Specific Grants |
€0 |
|
Strategic Grant |
€2,946,884 |
|
Speed Limits Housing |
€22,791 |
|
Speed Limits Rural |
€121,253 |
|
Cycle Signs |
€0 |
|
Active Travel (2020 Stimulus Carryover) |
€46,022 |
|
Total |
€19,709,787 |
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 protection and renewal 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 funding of projects by Limerick City & County Councils.
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.
222. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport the reason a bus stop at Maugheraboy, County Sligo, was excluded from the new 981 bus route from Coolaney to Sligo, even though it was included in all media releases in regard to the new, long-awaited route; if this stop will be included as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57913/22]
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 Rural Mobility Plan, including the rollout of services in County Sligo, 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.
223. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated with a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57948/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra224. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport when it is anticipated a person (details supplied) will be called for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57957/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 together.
The Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test. This includes all driving test applications and scheduling matters. I have therefore referred these questions to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask the Deputies to contact my office if responses have not been received within ten days.
