Written Answers Nos. 183-194
183. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport the estimated total cost to the State and total length of time remaining on the M1 toll contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62879/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day-to-day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
184. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide clarification on why a person who has a free travel pass is charged to bring their bike onto a bus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62915/22]
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 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.
185. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the charge to take a foldable bike on a bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62920/22]
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 is an operational matter the company concerned. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and GoAhead for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
186. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding that was provided for cycling facilities in Waterford city in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [62928/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel. Funding is administered through the National Transport Authority (NTA), who, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area.
Waterford City & County Council were allocated €13.8 million in 2021 and just over €24 million in 2022 under the NTA's Active Travel Programme for walking and cycling projects. Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed answer in relation to specific funding for cycling facilities. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
187. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of antisocial incidents on Dublin Bus by individual bus routes and by month in each of the past 18 months that resulted in bus curtailment in tabular form. [62929/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue of the number of antisocial behaviour incidents on individual Dublin Bus routes is an operational matter for Dublin Bus 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.
188. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the number of tickets sold for the Dublin-Dundalk train line to date in 2022; if he will provide a breakdown of tickets sold between adult single, adult return, student single, student return, child single and child return in tabular form. [62930/22]
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 addition, the NTA has responsibility for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question, in relation to the number and breakdown of tickets sold for the Dublin-Dundalk train line to date in 2022, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
189. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to have the Dublin Bus route H1 included on 24-7 routes during 2023. [62931/22]
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 possible plans to have the Dublin Bus route H1 included on 24/7 routes during 2023, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
190. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the staff and volunteer complement at Doolin coastguard unit; if he is satisfied that this unit is sufficiently experienced and competent; if there are immediate plans to further add to the staff complement at the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62936/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Mulvey Report on Doolin was completed at the end of 2021 and made a number of recommendations which I am pleased to say have since been implemented. Over the course of this year the Doolin Unit has been reconstituted with nine volunteers to date and continues to make good progress and I am informed that the reconstituted unit is sufficiently experienced and competent.
The Mulvey Report also recommended that the reconstituted Doolin Unit be allowed sufficient time to develop a culture of mutual respect and trust, and this process is on-going and I believe should be supported by all those interested in the Unit’s future success. Minister of State Naughton visited Doolin recently and heard first-hand of the positive work being undertaken in the Unit.
More generally I welcome this year's very positive engagement between Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) management and IRCG volunteer representatives - the Coastal Unit Advisory Group - in agreeing a renewed and refreshed terms of reference for the Group and can confirm that the IRCG is committed to ongoing consultation and communication with all Coast Guard volunteers.
191. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify whether the 226X service in County Cork has been reduced. [62979/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra192. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to improve the 226X service in County Cork. [62980/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions in relation to the 226X service in County Cork, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
193. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied that night-time transport options in urban areas will be able to meet increased demand during the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63058/22]
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 night-time transport options in urban areas during the Christmas period, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a schedule of the current greenway and blueway projects broken down by section; the current status of each section; and the costs to date associated with the sections and planned completion dates. [63068/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The planning, design and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to provide the information requested.
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.
Separately, Blueways come under the remit of Waterways Ireland. Noting this, I have also referred your question to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for a direct reply.
