Written Answers Nos. 186-205
186. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport to review the delays and wait times for driving tests in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8218/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and information on specific centres is held by them. I have therefore referred your 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. On the broader issue of driver testing delays, I am informed that the current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include: an increase in learner permits in circulation which has grown by about 30% since Q3 2019; increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test when the service resumed post Covid-19 pandemic and an increase in Advanced Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers which has increased the volume of learners becoming eligible and ready to take their actual test.I would like to assure the Deputy that the RSA is making every effort to address this issue. The Authority conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver testing service in 2022, following which my department sanctioned an increase in the permanent driver tester headcount from 100 to 130. I am informed that the RSA has deployed the majority of successful candidates across the driver testing service, with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists. It is expected that the remainder will be deployed by the end of Q1 2023.The RSA has assured me that they are keeping the situation under constant review and the Authority will report back to my department on the steps being taken to continue to reduce waiting times. The RSA has submitted a sanction request for increases in driver testers which my department is currently evaluating.
187. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the reason that Bus Éireann route 30-X30 from Donegal town departing at 4 a.m. to Dublin Airport was cancelled on 13 February 2023 without prior notification to waiting passengers; if his attention has been drawn to reports that passengers who booked tickets for the service missed flights while others were late for work in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8221/23]
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.Further, Bus Éireann's Expressway services, including route 30/X30, are commercial bus services and responsibility for the operation of those services is a matter for the company.I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
188. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 by his Department and by agencies which operate under the remit of his Department. [8250/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department is aware of its obligations under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 and has advised the agencies under its remit of their obligations.
My department has not received any requests for Irish Sign Language interpretation since the commencement of the Act. My department has appointed an Access Officer, who is responsible for providing and coordinating assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities accessing our services. Anyone requiring Irish Sign Language interpretation can contact the Access Officer at access.officer@transport.gov.ie.
The information requested by the deputy in relation to agencies which operate under the remit of my department is more appropriate to the state bodies concerned and is not held within my Department.
Accordingly, I have asked the agencies under my department’s remit to respond to you directly. If you do not hear from them within 10 working days, please advise my private office.
189. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost if 50 additional WTE driver testers were recruited for the Road Safety Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8262/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the national driving test service, including the employment of driver testers, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred the questions 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.
190. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the campaign of an organisation (details supplied); if gardaí have any powers of enforcement in respect of disabled parking bays in private car parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8299/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the campaign referred to by the Deputy and my officials engage with the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland on a regular basis, in the context of that organisation's statutory function as an issuing body for disabled parking permits.
I must be clear, however, that enforcement in relation to disabled parking bays in private car parks, such as those attached to shopping centres and other commercial premises, is the responsibility of the car park owner. Neither An Garda Síochána nor local authority traffic wardens have legal powers to issue fixed charge notices (FCNs) on private property.
191. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority was involved in relation to the establishment of setting standards for maintenance and enforcement of disabled parking bays, both public and private and if so, if he will provide details of same. [8300/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport. As the Deputy's Question relates to the National Transport Authority (NTA), I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
192. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the delays professional public service drivers are experiencing in terms of getting out on the road due to the time lag between applying for a test and the test date, combined with the average time it takes to process a CPC card after a driver successfully completes the test. [8304/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the National Driving Test. In this capacity, the Authority deals with all test applications and scheduling matters.
However, I understand that the Authority has been engaging with the Public Service Operators and their trainees' applications are being prioritised given the current driver shortages.
In relation to the Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) card, a driver must complete the initial qualification to apply for a CPC card. This involves a theory test, a case study theory test, driving test and walk around test. The theory tests can be completed together and the walk around test can be completed on the same day as the driving test.
The driver must have the new licence category on their driving licence, which takes on average 5 working days to process, before applying to the RSA for their CPC driver qualification card. I am informed that the average processing time for a qualification card is 7 to 14 working days.
193. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if he will authorise the issuing of a temporary 31-day CPC card to drivers who successfully complete their professional driving test in order to get newly qualified bus drivers out on the road serving local communities quicker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8305/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA truck or bus driver must complete the initial qualification in order to apply for a Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) card. This involves a theory test, a case study theory test, a driving test and walk around test. The theory tests can be completed together and the walk around and driving tests can be completed on the same day. The driver must have the new licence category on their driving licence, which takes on average 5 working days to process, before applying to the Road Safety Authority for their CPC card. The average processing time for a qualification card is 7 to 14 working days, and the card is valid for 5 years. There is no provision in legislation for issuing a temporary CPC card.
194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority will provide for the installation of a bus shelter at Dublin Bus Stop Nos. 495 and 4132. [8342/23]
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 their 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.
195. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the amount that was retained in overpaid tolls by Transport Infrastructure Ireland in respect of the M50 in 2022; and if Transport Infrastructure Ireland will develop a scheme through which it can refund and-or redistribute the excess funds. [8343/23]
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.
196. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding grant support for taxi drivers to purchase electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8384/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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. €15m has been allocated to the Scheme in 2023 to enable owners of small public service vehicles, such as taxis, hackneys and limousines, to buy electric vehicles. The Scheme is expected to open very shortly.
197. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport if the contract with the service provider of the national car test service contains any performance-related or penalty clauses for lengthy delays such as those being experienced at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8450/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and it is the Authority which holds the contract with the NCT service provider, Applus. 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.
198. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport the average waiting times for an NCT inspection in each centre in the country; the reason for the long delay in securing an appointment in Galway; the reason for the disparity in waiting times between centres; his plans to ensure that testing is carried out within a reasonable period of time following an application being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8637/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). 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.
However, I am aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet high demand for tests and the delays which vehicle owners are encountering. My officials continue to meet weekly with the Authority to monitor ongoing progress in reducing test delays and to ensure all possible actions are being taken to bring the waitlist to an acceptable level in 2023, as well as supporting all appropriate requests from the RSA for assistance. I have also met recently with the RSA Chief Executive and Chair to discuss this and other matters.
There has been some progress in addressing the long-term staffing issues behind this backlog. 110 inspectors were recruited in 2022 (including 44 recruited from outside the EEA). Recruitment of qualified vehicle inspectors is ongoing and 13 new personnel are in training as of 12 February, bringing the cohort of testers to 608. A number of other measures to provide additional capacity at test centres are also in place, including increased staff overtime and the temporary transfer of 20 testers from the NCTS contractor’s Spanish operation for a period of 3 months. Eight of these testers are continuing for a further period. Testers are assigned to the test centres with the most significant delays.
In the interim, I am advised that customers seeking test appointments may contact the NCTS directly, by calling 01-4135992 or by availing of the priority waiting list function via the NCT website, www.ncts.ie. In the majority of cases, these vehicle owners are provided with an appointment within 30 days.
199. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the amount expended on advertising and promotion in his Department and all agencies under the remit of his Department in 2022 and in January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8696/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total amount expended on advertising and promotion in the Department of Transport is €217,344.42 in 2022 and €29,187.48 in January 2023.
In 2022, the above figures include €115,926.50 spent on the promotion of the public consultation on the draft EV infrastructure strategy and €38,466 for social medial and online campaign concerning the safe manning of shipping vessels and fleet transport.
The Irish Coast Guard spent €50,902.86 on extensive Water Safety promoting and demonstrations (including newspaper ads and supplies) countrywide in 2022.
The Department also paid the Public Appointments Service (PAS) €2,287.16 in connection with advertising competitions in the Irish Times for Marine Surveyor (Ship Surveyor), Marine Surveyor (Engineer & Ship Surveyor), and Marine Surveyor (Nautical Surveyor).
Other expenditure included a notification in Fleet magazine regarding the licensing of Light Commercial Vehicles costing €1,845 and a HR recruitment competition in The Irish Times costing €2,337, plus other publications including the Limerick Leader and the Clare Champion totalling €5,579.90.
The total amount expended in January 2023 is €29,187.48. Of this, €20,000 was for a social media promotional campaign to support the ZEVI EV Sports Club Scheme plus €9,187.48 on Irish Coast Guard promotional events.
With regard to Agencies, this is a matter for the agencies themselves. I have forwarded your question to the Agencies for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply within ten working days please contact my private office.
200. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the number of communications staff currently employed in his Department; the cost of these staff for 2022; the expected cost for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8714/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the end of January, there were 11 staff employed in the Press & Communications Division of my Department. The Division is responsible for press relations, social media engagement, event management, internal departmental communications, stakeholder engagement, behaviour change campaign development and support public consultations and citizen outreach programmes.
The costs for staff in the Press & Communications Division for 2022 was €473,152. Staff were recruited into the Division throughout 2022.
The expected costs for 2023 for 11 staff will be €628,092. This costing accounts for pay adjustments which are due under the Public Service Agreement “Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement 2021-2023”.
201. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the current position regarding the national speed limit review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8723/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Action 6 of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy a review is underway to examine the framework for setting of speed limits in Ireland including specific consideration of the introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in urban areas. As part of the work of the group an assessment was carried out on the existing framework of speed limits including the current guidance document for the ‘Setting and Managing of Speed Limits in Ireland’, best practice internationally as well as an analysis of potential options. This review is now nearing completion and I intend to publish the completed review in the coming months. Thereafter an implementation plan will be prepared to progress the recommendations of the review including as a priority updating the Guidelines for Setting and Managing of Speed Limits in Ireland.The Road Traffic Act of 2004 sets out the current legislative basis for the setting of speed limits. The Act applies ‘default’ speed limits to different categories of road and also allows for local authorities to intervene and set ‘special speed limits’ on roads in their area. Local authorities have the discretion to decide on varying these limits through ‘Special Speed Limit’ bye-laws for roads within their administrative area. Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004, as amended, sets out the range of Special Speed Limits that may be applied through bye-laws. The current special speed limits are 120km/h, 100km/h, 80 km/h, 60km/h, 50km/h, 40km/h, 30km/h and 20km/h. The making of such bye-laws is a reserved function of the elected members of the council. Currently a Bill is passing through the Houses of the Oireachtas to update the provisions for speed limits to allow for the introduction of variable speed limits on designated sections of national road. The Acts also provides Transport Infrastructure Ireland and An Garda Síochána with particular roles in relation to the application of Speed Limits.
202. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm whether his Department has undertaken any exploratory work on a second train track on the Carlow to Waterford line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8730/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport, including rail. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
As the Deputy may be aware, an All-Island Strategic Rail Review is currently underway, having been jointly commissioned by my Department and the Northern Irish Department for Infrastructure. The Review will inform investment in the rail network over the coming decades and, among other things, is considering the potential for improved services and infrastructure along existing and possible future lines on the network. This scope includes the line between Carlow and Waterford. Work on the Review is now at an advanced stage. I look forward to receiving the final report, and it will be published after it receives appropriate approval in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for a more detailed reply in relation to the specific line mentioned. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
203. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers that used each LocalLink bus service within County Roscommon in each direction from January 2022 to date in 2023, in tabular form; if he will advise on scheduled improvements for LocalLink bus services within County Roscommon in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8735/23]
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 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 TFI Local Link and 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, including in County Roscommon, 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.
204. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport whether there are plans to increase the number of train services from Sallins to Heuston; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8764/23]
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 statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area. This responsibility includes parking facilities, commuter rail services and implementing public transport projects, such as the DART+ programme.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
205. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to update the bye-laws on the powers councils have in respect of the parking of camper vans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8765/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1994, each local authority may make bye-laws for the control and regulation of parking on public roads in its own functional area. As the making of bye-laws is a reserved function of the elected members of the council, I am not in a position to intervene in the specific matter raised by the Deputy.
