Written Answers Nos. 214-232
214. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport when the age rules will be amended to allow 16-, 17- and 18-year-old students in third level education to apply for the student Leap card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1011/23]
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.
The Young Adult Card (YAC) was initially introduced on PSO services in May 2022 and was later broadened to include participating Commercial Bus Operators (CBOs) on the 4th of September 2022. In October 2022 the YAC was further extended to include third levels students aged 16- to 18. As a result, holders of a YAC or Student Leap Card can now avail of the 50% fare discount on both PSO and CBO services.
215. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider locating another National Car Testing Service centre in Tipperary due to the high demand for tests in the area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1021/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query 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.
216. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider increasing the testing lane capacity at the current National Car Testing Service facilities at Nenagh and Cahir, County Tipperary, due to the high demand for tests and given that the testing centres in Nenagh and Cahir also provide testing capacity to persons living in counties Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Kilkenny, Offaly and Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1022/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query 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.
217. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of the provision of additional bus service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1026/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
My Department and NTA continue to monitor and respond to the influx of refugees due to the Russia invasion of Ukraine, and are factoring in the geographical spread of Ukrainian refugees into the planning process. In order to serve a dual purpose by catering for both existing demand as well as responding to the increased pressures on services where the local population has grown in response to the humanitarian crisis, the NTA have accelerated the implementation of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, and also added additional stops, routes and services where the need has arisen.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in County Kerry, 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.
218. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of the provision of a bus shelter at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1027/23]
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.
219. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the status of operation on a construction project (details supplied); and the amount spent to date, segmented into each area of spending, in tabular form. [1081/23]
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 on the status of this project.
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.
|
Technical Advisor fee |
€1,131,252 |
|
Geotechnical Surveys |
€256,464 |
|
Traffic Surveys |
€49,230 |
|
Public consultations |
€27,265 |
220. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the number of bus users on each individual bus route in Cork city and county in each of the years 2019 to 2022, in tabular form. [1082/23]
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 day-to-day operations of public transport services. The National Transport Authority (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 of bus users in each of the years 2019 to 2022 on each individual bus route in Cork city and county, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
221. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify, as part of the new plans for the metropolitan rail network proposed for Cork, the timetable frequency changes that will be required from Mallow to Tralee stations to coincide with increased frequency proposed from Cork to Mallow stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1095/23]
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 operation and provision of public transport services.
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. As such, the issue of the metropolitan rail network proposed for Cork and the resulting frequency changes is an operational matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann, and I have therefore 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.
222. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if there is any funding available to someone in receipt of social protection payments such as invalidity pension who wishes to buy an electric bike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1129/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to Active Travel and public transport infrastructure.
My Department's Sustainable Mobility Policy examines the different behavioural change measures that can be explored to promote modal shift away from private car use and towards zero-emission transport modes such as walking, cycling and e-biking.
While there is nothing in place as of yet with regards to funding available to someone in receipt of social protection payments such as invalidity pension who wishes to buy an electric bike, we will continue to explore all avenues available to encourage an uptake in electric bike usage across all demographics.
223. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to return the route 306 bus service to Ballynanty Beg in Limerick to a 15-minute or 30-minute service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1153/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra224. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to improve the 306 bus service in Limerick city servicing the Ballynanty Beg area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1154/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 224 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 306 bus service in Limerick city servicing the Ballynanty Beg area, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
225. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the reason that there are no bus stop markings or signs in the Ballynanty Beg area of Limerick city for the 306 bus route; if he has been in contact with the National Transport Authority regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1155/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra226. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport the reason that there are no bus shelters in the Ballynanty Beg area of Limerick city for the 306 bus route; if he has been in contact with the National Transport Authority regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1156/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.
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 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.
227. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update to include costings, plans and progress made on the All-Island Strategic Rail Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1195/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra235. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport when the publication of the report Strategic Rail Review Island of Ireland is due to be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1271/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 227 and 235 together.
The Strategic Rail Review is being undertaken in cooperation 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 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 rail), enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development, and rail connectivity to our international gateways. This also includes the role of rail freight.
It is important 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.
To date, my Department has spent €1.52 million on the Review.
The Review is now at an advanced stage. Publication of the report will follow once it has been considered and approved at Ministerial level on both sides of the border.
228. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the amount of revenue that CIÉ generated through advertisement boards within train and bus stations in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and the rates CIÉ charges for such advertisement. [1202/23]
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.
Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) is responsible for managing the advertising of its operating subsidiaries: Bus Átha Cliath, Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann. Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ 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.
229. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport when he last met the CEO of Bus Éireann; and the topics that were discussed with the CEO. [1203/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI last met with the CEO and Board of Bus Éireann on the 15th September 2022 and a range of topics were discussed including Sustainable Public Transport.
I meet with the Chairpersons and CEO's of CIÉ and its subsidiaries on a regular basis, or as the need arises. In addition to these meetings, my Department has regular engagement with the company at all levels, including at CEO level, in relation to issues including governance, financial, investment, safety and service-related issues, and I am of course briefed by my Department on any relevant issues which arise during the course of such normal administrative and corporate governance related contact between my Department and the companies in question.
230. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport if he has received the strategic assessment report on the need to put in place a relief road bypass around Castlemartyr and or Killeagh and to further upgrade the N25 between Midleton and Youghal, County Cork; when he will he be in a position to make any decision on this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1223/23]
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 on the status of these projects.
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.
231. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the current status of the Meath County Council draft appraisal for the proposed Julianstown bypass which aims to deal with the relentless congestion experienced in the village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1241/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant 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 a matter for the Council.
The major cuts to funding for regional and local roads during the post 2008 recession resulted in the build-up of a substantial backlog of works across the country. The estimated cost of the backlog is in excess of €5 billion. Because of the pressures on the regional and local road network, approximately 90% of available Exchequer grant assistance to local authorities for regional and local roads is being directed to maintenance and renewal works rather than for new roads or for road realignments.
Any road improvement projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Strategic Grant Programme are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework.
The revised Public Spending Code requires a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for all projects with an estimated expenditure of €10 million or more. The SAR is now a key deliverable at the first decision stage in the project appraisal process. My Department has not received a SAR from Meath County Council for this proposed project.
232. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the details of measures being taken to address delays in the processing of foreign driving licence exchanges; the current average waiting times for the exchange of foreign licences for Irish licences; his plans to allow for the provision of an interim document which would allow an applicant to drive while the exchange of their foreign licence for an Irish licence is processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1245/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra20,604 foreign licence exchange applications were received by NDLS in 2022, 92.5% have been processed. The average processing time for applications in 2022 was 36 working days, this has improved in recent months to 25 working days.
There are various reasons for the time taken in processing foreign licence exchanges, for example, the driver may need to submit outstanding information, such as, a medical or eyesight report, or the physical driving licence itself in the case of an online application. The most common reason for delays is the NDLS awaiting verification of the driving licence from the foreign driving licence authority. At times a response is received very quickly but sometimes there can be considerable delays.?
Vigilance is needed when processing a foreign licence for exchange to ensure a fraudulent document has not been submitted and to ensure a driving test was passed in the foreign country in which the licence was obtained.
Under section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, it is an offence to drive without a valid driving licence.
