Written Answers Nos. 77-97
77. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will ensure that all households, including small flats and apartments with electricity supply from all energy companies, are credited with the Government energy support programme, as this has not happened to date for some households (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9151/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is acutely aware of the impact that the recent increases in global energy prices is having on households. This is why a €2.4 billion package of supports was implemented during 2022, and a package of once off measures worth €2.5 billion included in Budget 2023. The Budget package includes an Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €550.47 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €183.49 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - November/December 2022, January/February 2023 and March/April 2023. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.211 billion. The payments apply to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2). The scheme uses the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure it can be administered automatically and without an application/approval process.
Despite this advantage, the scheme does have limitations. While one credit is applied per domestic MPRN, there are cohorts such as households on commercial connections, that did not receive the payment. Officials from my Department are examining this matter to determine if a solution can be developed.
Any customer that is in need of additional support may apply for an Additional Needs Payment provided by the Department of Social Protection, including customers on a Pay As You Go meter who have a need for financial assistance to facilitate their continued energy supply. Every effort will be made to ensure that these vulnerable individuals in financial distress, and who qualify, receive an Additional Needs Payment on the same day or as soon as possible where it relates to electricity and heating expenses. On 13 December, Government approved a new Energy Poverty Action Plan, which provides for the establishment of a €10 million fund to further support people in, or at risk of, energy poverty this winter and into 2023, including people on PAYG meters. The fund will provide a further safeguard in addition to the supports from suppliers and the Additional Needs Payment operated by the Department of Social Protection. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is also available to provide budgeting advice and advocacy support.
78. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address concerns arising from the five resignations from the board of Inland Fisheries Ireland and the subsequent removal of the remaining board members on a no-fault basis by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9155/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Tuesday 14 February last, I exercised my powers under Section 18 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 to remove the current members of IFI on a no-fault basis.
I intend to appoint new members of IFI, in accordance with the provisions of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010, as soon as possible.
To ensure that IFI is in a position to perform its functions effectively as quickly as possible, I have also used my powers under Section 18(5) of the Act to appoint Mr Tom Barry and Mr Seamus Neely to perform the functions of IFI pending the appointment of a new, full Board through the statutory appointments process, with the support of the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
I have also instructed Mr Barry and Mr Neely to oversee the preparation of a governance review of IFI to be delivered within a period of three to six months.
79. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of the turnover of staff in his Department for each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and the percentage of total staff this represents in each category. [9277/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe turnover of staff, including % relative to total staff, for 2020, 2021 and 2022, in my Department is as follows.
|
- |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Full Time Equivalent at end of year |
533.56 |
544.95 |
578.63 |
|
Exits per year (Full time Equivalent) |
90.96* |
66.85 |
77.80 |
|
Percentage of staff total at end of year |
17.05% |
12.27% |
13.45% |
*Includes 56 staff who transferred to Dept. Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media with transfer of functions.
80. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the future of the active travel programme for local authorities in view of the reduced allocation for 2023, particularly for Tipperary County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8948/23]
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. Funding levels to particular local authorities can vary year-on-year as projects proceed through the various stages of planning, design and construction.
The Programme for Government committed to cross-Government spending of around €360 million per annum for walking and cycling throughout the lifetime of the Government. This includes investment in Active Travel, Greenways and other outdoor recreation measures.
A high level of investment has been committed to Active Travel infrastructure projects specifically in recent years with €290 million being made available in 2023 to local authorities around the country through the National Transport Authority (NTA) to progress the delivery of approximately 1,200 walking and cycling projects across Ireland. 2023 funding is in line with the 2022 allocation of €289 million.
This constitutes a significant increase on investment levels even a few years ago, with funding of €45 million invested in Active Travel in 2019. Just four years later we are seeing over six times as much funding dedicated to making walking and cycling infrastructure safer and better connected than ever before.
To this end, we have also invested in resources to increase local authority capacity to deliver these projects. Over 200 additional staff have been recruited since 2021 across local authority to work on the delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure, and recruitment is ongoing.
Additionally, where historically we invested heavily in Active Travel projects in the Greater Dublin Area and regional cities, 2021 saw an expansion of the Active Travel programme to include the 22 local authorities outside these areas under the National Transport Authority’s Rural Active Travel Programme. In 2022, this funding was mainstreamed and the NTA’s overall Active Travel Programme now sees significant investment in each of Ireland’s local authorities, ensuring that walking and cycling are increasingly becoming viable options for both our rural and urban population.
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 Tipperary County Council. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
81. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to Iarnród Éireann proposals to charge holders of free travel passes a fee when booking journeys online to Newry, Belfast and other locations; how his Department communicates its expectations in relation to how the free travel pass scheme should operate with Iarnród Eireann; if such a booking fee is in breach of this; his position on the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8991/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra83. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify the position of holders of free travel cards when using train services; the reason Irish Rail imposes a booking fee on some services; when this practice was first introduced; if the imposition of such fees undermines the concept of the free travel scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8995/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 83 together.
As 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 issues raised by the Deputies in relation to fees charged by Iarnród Éireann to free travel users is an operational matter for the company and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
82. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if a request by a person (details supplied) for access to public transport can be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8994/23]
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.
84. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on seeking further approvals to improve the N59 Clifden to Maam Cross, as was mentioned in the National Development Plan 2021-2030, given that part of this road was identified as the most dangerous stretch of road in the State in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9011/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation, maintenance and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for 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 on the current status and funding of this project.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
85. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to ensure the smooth operation of a service by a company (details supplied) and bus services in Dublin South-Central, specifically Dublin Bus routes 60, G1 and G2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9024/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra89. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport his views on the roll-out and operation of the G-spine Bus Connects programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9035/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 89 together.
As 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 the BusConnects programme.
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.
86. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the approved Pathfinder programme for Naas, County Kildare; and if the funding is in place and can be drawn down as soon as the local authority is ready to do same. [9025/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Naas Mobility Network Integration project was approved as part of the Pathfinder Programme in October 2022.
The Pathfinder Programme is not a funding programme and this was made clear from the outset. While most pathfinder projects indicated that funding commitments were in place, there were a small number which were dependent on securing funding sources outside my own Department's funding streams, including the Naas project.
In that context, I met with the CEO and Acting Director of Services of Kildare County Council on 3 February 2023 to discuss the delivery of the project and sources of potential funding, including the Climate Action Fund. My Department is engaging with them on this potential source of funding to progress the project quickly.
87. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the improvements made to the rail network across the country in recent years; and if he will outline any plans for further expansion and improvements. [9033/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
The Programme for Government – Our Shared Future includes a priority to deliver the DART+ programme. The DART+ programme comprises of five projects for the development of rail in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), with DART+ Fleet and DART+ West being the most advanced. The Programme also includes DART+ South West, DART+ Coastal South and DART+ Coastal North projects. Collectively these projects will extend and/or enhance the current DART system and services west to Maynooth and Celbridge/Hazelhatch, south to Greystones and north to Drogheda.
In December 2021, the Government gave Decision Gate 1 approval under the Public Spending Code for the DART+ Programme and a fleet framework agreement. 185 new carriages have been purchased under this framework in two orders. The first of these carriages will enter operation in 2025 and extend DART services to Drogheda on the Northern Line.
This decision also granted Decision Gate 1 approval under the Code to DART+ West which allowed the project to enter the statutory planning process. The Railway Order for DART+ West was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in July 2022.
As well as the expansion of fleet under the DART+ Programme, which will effectively double capacity on the rail network serving the GDA, 41 new intercity railcars will enter service in 2023. Delivery of these carriages commenced in September 2022 and all units will have arrived by the end of Quarter 1 2023.
Another significant area of investment is the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, which represents the largest investment in the rail network in Cork undertaken by the State. The programme comprises a number of separate but interrelated projects. The frequency of a number of rail services in the Cork Metropolitan Area were doubled in July 2022 with a frequency of every 30 minutes to/from Cork-Cobh and Cork-Midleton and a frequency of every 15 minutes to/from Cork and Glounthaune.
Phase 1 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme was included in Ireland’s National Recovery & Resilience Plan, as submitted to the European Commission in 2021. Works associated with Phase 1 are to be completed by end-2026 as required by the European Commission. This will see a €185 million investment (€164m of EU funds) in Cork’s rail infrastructure, which will facilitate the longer-term electrification of the network through construction of a new ‘through’ platform at Kent Station to create an integrated suburban network, re-signalling of the network, and double-tracking from Glounthaune to Midleton.
Funding has been announced for redevelopment of Ceannt Station and track and station improvements at Oranmore in Galway and both projects are scheduled to be completed by 2025. A feasibility study on the Athenry to Galway Corridor to consider the feasibility of incremental improvements in train capacity between Galway and Athenry is now complete. The study considers the nature of infrastructure interventions required to deliver increased service frequency on the line.
The NTA published the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS) in December 2022. The strategy was prepared by the NTA in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, with the cooperation of Iarnród Éireann, and provides a roadmap for sustainable transport in the region over the next 20 years.
Proposals for investment in rail under LSMATS include:
- Additional stations at Moyross and Ballysimon (including Park and Ride)
- More frequent train services on the Ennis line and on the Ballybrophy line
- Dual tracking on the line from Limerick Junction to Colbert
- Upgrading of Colbert Station
LSMATS also proposes a detailed feasibility study to determine future investment in rail infrastructure and commuter services in the Limerick area. The proposed study will assess future development in the region, evaluate future demand based on projected increases in population and economic activity and outline medium to long term investment in rail. Options around investment in improving existing infrastructure and investment in new infrastructure will be examined in detail.
In November 2022, the Government approved the final business case for the Waterford North Quays project under Decision Gate 3 of the Public Spending Code. The Government also approved €170.6m funding for the project. This investment includes funding to relocate Plunkett Station to a new location on the North Quays, a move which is supported in the Waterford Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy published by the NTA in December 2022.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway infrastructure.
This is the fourth year of the five-year IMMAC programme, as approved by Government in 2020, and over the five years of the programme in excess of €1.3billion in Exchequer funding will be made available to support delivery of maintenance work across the network. This funding enables the delivery of safe rail services for passengers and will help improve service reliability, punctuality and journey times.
In 2022 €64 million was allocated from my Department to Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in respect of the Foynes Line Rehabilitation Works. Further additional funding of €6.4 million was also allocated to IÉ for the renewal of 9.5 miles of track on the line, which will saw the full length of the Ballybrophy line upgraded to continuous welded rail, bringing journey time improvements for passengers. This was additional to the total allocation already provided for in the IMMAC for the year for the entire rail network.
In 2020 July Stimulus provided €18m toward track improvement works and that was further supported by an additional allocation of €25m in Budget 2021; these additional allocations were largely directed toward works on the Dublin – Cork line.
As the Deputy may also 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. 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.
88. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update in relation to work permits for bus drivers from non-EU and non-EEA countries and the possible inclusion of bus drivers on the critical skills list due to the current driver shortages being experienced across the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9034/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in Q4 2022 in relation to work permits for bus drivers from non-EU and non-EEA Countries and the possible inclusion of bus drivers on the critical skills list due to the current driver shortages being experienced across the system. My Department engaged with all PSO operators, including Bus Éireann, and representatives from the commercial bus sector as part of this process.
As a result of this engagement, in December 2022 the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced that changes had been made to the permit system to help ease the recruitment challenges being faced in the transport sector with the establishment of a quota of 1,500 employment permits for bus and coach drivers. These changes came into effect on the 16th of December.
It should be noted that driver recruitment has improved. For example, in December 2022, Dublin Bus reported that the company recruited 319 drivers since January 2022.
90. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a monthly breakdown of the number of bus drivers working for Dublin Bus in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9036/23]
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 query raised by the deputy in relation to a monthly breakdown of the number of bus drivers working with Dublin Bus in 2022 is an operational matter for Dublin Bus.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.
91. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department is taking to improve the provision of bus services in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9037/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on his recent interactions with the National Transport Authority to tackle the poor provision of bus services in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9038/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 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.
I am pleased to advise that under Budget 2023, I secured c. €563m in funding for Public Service Obligation services, including funding for the continuation of both the 20% discount on PSO services and the Young Adult Card on PSO and participating commercial bus services. Funding was also secured for the introduction of new services and service enhancements.
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.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions, in relation to the provision of bus services in Dublin, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
93. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9062/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra94. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9080/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.
Section 6(4) of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 requests each public body to publish a list of designated officials of the body. The purpose of the Act is to provide for a web-based Register of Lobbying to make information available to the public on the identity of those communicating with designated public officials on specific policy, legislative matters or prospective decisions. The Designated Public Officials for the Department of Transport under this legislation are available on my department’s website here. Agencies under the remit of my department are aware of their obligations to comply with the Act. I have referred the Deputy's question to the agencies under the aegis of my Department for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
In making appointments to State boards under my remit as Minister for Transport, my department operates in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform guidelines on appointments to State Boards, published in November 2014.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) has responsibility for managing an open, accessible and transparent system to support Ministers in making state board appointments and it is open to all members of the public to apply for positions advertised on the stateboards.ie website.
Although the information requested by the Deputy may be available as part of the appointment process, under General Data Protection Regulation guidelines my department does not have access to this information once the appointment has been made. Therefore the specific information sought by the Deputy relating to persons serving or those who have previously served on Department of Transport State boards is not available.
Details of the current membership of all applicable State boards are published on the State Boards website www.Stateboards.ie or on the Department of Transport’s website www.gov.ie State Boards Membership here.
95. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the delay in offering a driving test date; if a driving test can be expedited for a person (details supplied) for employment purposes in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9081/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the 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. As Minister, I have no influence on the scheduling of appointments.
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 and an increase in Approved 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.
Further to this, the RSA conducted an updated analysis of demand and capacity in late 2022 and early 2023, which has concluded that a further increase in driver tester is required. My Department is actively engaged with the RSA in evaluating this request at present.
96. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 218 of 2 February 2023, if he can address the issues raised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9087/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the information provided to the Deputy in my previous response, the TEN-T Regulations as currently set out require a rail connection to Core ports on the TEN-T network by 2030.
As a Core port, this requirement extends to Shannon Foynes. The November 2022 announcement of funding to commence civil engineering works on the line, with a view to reopening it for freight in advance of the 2030 deadline, is consistent with this requirement.
The Deputy may wish to note that the TEN-T Regulation is currently under review and the associated infrastructure requirements may change in future once it has been agreed. Pending the outcome of this process, however, the obligation to connect Shannon Foynes to the rail network by 2030 remains in force.
97. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with Bus Éireann on the need for the 208 bus to stop at Harrington Square in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9188/23]
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 in our cities, including the provision of bus stops.
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.
