Written Answers Nos. 213-227
213. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport if there is a mechanism for a person to claim a refund for the cost of a flight that did operate but that they did not take due to Covid restrictions in cases in which the flight operator has refused a refund of the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61856/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms and conditions of any flight booking with an airline will determine if refunds or options such as vouchers are due in instances where the flight operates, and the customer does not travel. In instances where a flight is cancelled consumer rights in overseas travel are protected under EU law, which of course applies in Ireland.
The EU Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004 sets out the rights and entitlements of airline passengers in instances of flight cancellations, among other matters. It provides that where a flight is cancelled the air carrier must offer the passenger the choice of a refund of the cost of the unused flight ticket within seven days or re-routing as soon as possible after the original departure time or at a later date. However, there is no legal onus on airlines to refund where a flight goes ahead.
While the impacts of the pandemic are in decline the Department of Foreign Affairs maintains a general COVID-19 travel advisory noting that when planning travel abroad, persons travelling should take into account the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 while abroad. Anyone contracting COVID-19 when abroad, may face delays and additional costs before returning to Ireland. Persons travelling are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance and to check with their insurance provider on COVID coverage before travel.
Any intending air travel passengers should make themselves aware of the terms and conditions of the flight bookings they wish to make whether done so directly with the airline or via an intermediary, such as travel agents or tour operators, particularly the terms relating to cancellations and/or re-booking options if the passenger cannot travel for whatever reason.
214. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the additional PSO funded Bus Éireann services that will be provided by location in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61863/22]
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, since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
This Government is firmly committed to enhancing and expanding our public transport services provision across the country. To support this objective, in Budget 2022, I secured c. €538m of funding for PSO and Local Link services provided by State operators and under contract by the NTA this year. The recently agreed Budget 2023 further helps to support this aim, with a €563million funding package secured to support the PSO services next year.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the additional PSO funded Bus Éireann services that will be provided by location in 2023, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
215. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers that have used Bus Éireann route 109X in each direction in 2021 and to-date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61864/22]
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 raised by the deputy in relation to the number of passengers that have used Bus Éireann Route 109X in each direction in 2021 and to-date in 2022 is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
216. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if Dublin Bus plans to have a 51X Bus departing UCD Belfield going towards Dunawley at 6.20 p.m. on Monday to Friday during term periods only. [61887/22]
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 51X Bus, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
217. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the current status of a new Coast Guard building in Howth; and the amount that his Department has spent on this project to date. [61888/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHowth Coast Guard Unit operates from a fully equipped station building in the Howth Fishery Harbour Centre that was built by the Office of Public Works in 2001.
There is currently no requirement for a new station for the Howth Unit, however, the Coast Guard Station is currently a priority on the Irish Coast Guard Building Maintenance Programme for a proposed extension to the rear of the station.
IRCG requires a lease agreement for the site on which the station is built and an additional adjoining site from Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine before this project can be progressed any further. This lease is currently being drafted by DAFM and on finalisation of lease agreement, the project will progress to the design phase.
218. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport when each of the remaining parts of the BusConnects Dublin programme will come into operation. [61889/22]
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, 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.
219. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if project Bruce will take into consideration plans to establish an M50 resilience road; if he has plans to toll the proposed new route; if he will provide an update on the proposed route; and if the options that have been developed have been considered and one chosen. [61904/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.
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.
220. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the status of the programme for Government commitment to ensure that private bus operators and the National Transport Authority operate the free travel scheme on all publicly licensed bus routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61923/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters of public transport operators, including those related to the operation of commercial bus services, their fare structures, or the acceptance of free travel passes. Further, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has no direct involvement with the free travel scheme on commercial services either.
The Programme for Government commitment aims to maintain the entitlement for the Free Travel Scheme for those aged over 66, and to work with private bus operators and the NTA to ensure that the Free Travel Scheme is available on all publicly licensed bus routes.
While all public service obligation (PSO) transport services, including rural Local Link services, provide free travel to eligible pass holders, my understanding is that only some commercial operators have opted to participate in the Free Travel Scheme.
Those private bus companies that have chosen to opt into the Free Travel Scheme are reimbursed for carrying non-fare paying passengers at a discount to reflect the 'fares foregone' nature of the scheme.
221. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the status of the Programme for Government commitment to roll out BusConnects, in particular the E-Spine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61924/22]
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, 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.
222. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the status of the roll-out of 24-hour bus routes in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61925/22]
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 status of the rollout of 24-hour bus routes in Dublin, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
223. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the reason that the RSA driver theory test does not provide full result details to those who are sitting the test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61951/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the driving theory test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority this question is being referred 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.
224. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to reports that some vehicle insurance companies are suggesting that vehicle owners should obtain a certificate of road worthiness from a mechanic while awaiting an NCT due to the backlog of NCT tests, in order that the insurance would honour the policy; the reason that this is happening; the rationale for this; if this is legal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61988/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I do not have any role in, nor would it be appropriate for me to get involved with, how private insurance companies negotiate policy agreements with their clients. However, I can confirm to the Deputy that it remains an offence under the Road Traffic Acts to drive a vehicle in a public place without a valid certificate of roadworthiness. I would also note that any vehicle assessment report provided by a private mechanic as an alternative to a certificate of roadworthiness would have no statutory basis and would not be legally binding.
I understand Insurance Ireland has confirmed that its members will be pragmatic and understanding in their approach to the current delays and cover will continue to be provided where customers, through no fault of their own, are unable to obtain their NCT due to backlogs at test centres. Under the current circumstances, provided motorists make every effort to book appointments in the normal way, insurance companies will recognise that the current issue is not the fault of the customer.
225. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport when an individual transport service will commence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61990/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I am fully committed to strengthening our public transport offerings and progressively making them accessible for all, especially for disabled people/persons with disabilities, reduced mobility and older people.
However, I must emphasise to the Deputy that specialised non-public (closed) door-to-door services do not fall under my aegis. The type of dedicated, individual transport service referred to by the Deputy, falls outside of the public transport remit of my Department, and its agencies. In this instance, the D/Education might be best placed to answer the Deputy's question.
226. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if he supports the concept of transport hubs in towns with the location of all public transport services, information on such services, smart travel links form such hubs and local facilities. [62075/22]
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 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 concept of transport hubs in towns with the location of all public transport services, information on such services, smart travel links form such hubs and local facilities, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
227. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will detail all meetings that he and or his departmental officials have had with the NTA since he took office; and if he will provide the meeting dates in tabular form. [62076/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met regularly with the National Transport Authority (NTA) since taking office. Please see as follows a copy of my diary since my appointment as Minister for Transport:
|
Subject |
Date |
|
NTA |
6th Nov 2020 |
|
NTA CEO & Chair |
16th Dec 2020 |
|
NTA |
30th April 2021 |
|
NTA / Connecting Ireland briefing |
27th Oct 2021 |
|
NTA |
14th Jan 2022 |
|
NTA/Active Travel |
19th Jan 2022 |
|
NTA photo op |
24th Jan 2022 |
|
CALL WITH NTA CEO RE: 20% FARE REDUCTION |
15th Feb 2022 |
|
NTA Photocall – Fare Reductions and student cards |
6th May 2022 |
|
NTA Chair and Board Secretary |
16th June 2022 |
|
NTA re SPSVs in rural areas |
26th Aug 2022 |
|
NTA re bus services |
21st Oct 2022 |
Furthermore, my officials regularly meet with the NTA at monthly monitoring meetings; quarterly corporate governance meetings; various Working Groups; and at ad-hoc meetings as the need arises.
