Written Answers Nos. 167-180
167. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will request the NTA to review the bus stops in Milltownpass, County Westmeath, to ensure they are in the correct location and to erect bus shelters at these locations. [10205/23]
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.
168. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken to reduce the large number of uninsured drivers estimated at nearly 200,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10229/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe completion of a central record of all insured vehicles, the Motor Insurance Database, will play a key role in reducing uninsured driving.
The Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, currently before the Oireachtas, will strengthen the operation of the Database. Under the new provisions, motor insurers must provide the policy number and, for all insured under the policy, their names, addresses, dates of birth, and driver numbers to the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland within 5 working days of a policy being issued, cancelled or amended. Vehicle registration numbers will also have to be provided for all vehicles covered by the policy.
The Database will assist An Garda Síochána to identify uninsured vehicles or drivers. As uninsured drivers tend to be involved in other road traffic offences, reducing uninsured driving will assist Ireland to meet its long-term goal of achieving zero road deaths or serious injuries by 2050. Reducing the numbers of uninsured vehicles and drivers will also help to bring down the cost of insurance for law-abiding drivers.
169. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if his Department is drafting an amendment to the Statutory Instrument changing the benefits of members of the CIÉ '1951 scheme' pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9511/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra200. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the CIE pensions 1951 scheme, with regard to any amendments or changes to provisions for members; if he will advise on a specific matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10013/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra202. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider not signing any amending Statutory Instrument changing the benefits of members of the CIÉ 1951 scheme given that the 1951 committee of trustees' independent actuary has confirmed that the 1951 scheme now meets the minimum funding standard provisions of the Pensions Act 1990 and is solvent; if he will ask CIÉ to provide a detailed explanation, including all of the outstanding information sought by the statutory 1951 scheme committee of trustees in respect of the alleged failure of the CIÉ Board to act in a timely manner in relation to investment decisions from the end of March 2020 to 13 May 2020, which lead to an as yet unspecified financial loss to the pension scheme it was responsible for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10087/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 169, 200 and 202 together.
CIÉ have advised that the Group’s two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), are currently not in compliance with the Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) as defined in the Pensions Act 1990.
As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to the schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority.
In relation to the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to proposed changes to the 1951 scheme which is being considered by my Department in conjunction with NewERA. However, the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days and the outcome from the Hearing is expected in the coming months.
The questions raised by the Deputy in relation in relation to the 1951 scheme are an operational matter for CIÉ. 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.
170. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport when a walk-around test will be given to a person (details supplied) who is waiting to complete it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9526/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority (RSA), has statutory responsibility for the operation of the test and deals with all application and scheduling matters. The Department of Transport does not have access to individual applications nor have I, as Minister, any power to intervene in individual cases.
171. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will review correspondence in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9566/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he can outline the changes made to driving licence renewals for persons with epilepsy (details supplied) which now mean persons must get a licence renewal every year as opposed to every three years; if he can furnish further information or guidance on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9567/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.
Driver licensing applications are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to individual applications.
Driving licence applicants with certain medical conditions must submit a medical report when applying for or renewing a licence or learner permit. The information provided is considered in determining the application.
This consideration is done in the context of Sláinte agus Tiomáint, the Medical Fitness to Drive Guidelines, prepared by the National Office of Traffic Medicine (jointly run by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and the RSA). The current guidelines for driving with epilepsy, published April 2022, are available at: www.ndls.ie/images/Documents/Guidelines/10421_Epilepsy_Seizures_and_Driving_DL_(hi-res_screen).pdf.
A complaint may be made through the RSA website at www.rsa.ie/help-support/online-support-centre. In the section “Do you have a different query”, select “contact us” as the category, “make a complaint” as the topic, and “I wish to make a complaint” as the subtopic. Alternatively, the RSA can be contacted on 096 25000 or by email to lqueries@rsa.ie.
173. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if a proposed bus route in Cork (details supplied) will be expedited; if the timeframe for the implementation of this route has been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9570/23]
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 BusConnects Cork.
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.
174. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport the correspondence or communication, if any, which he has had with the board of CIE regarding the solvency or otherwise of the pension fund; if he has received a request from the board of CIE, or trustees of the pension fund, to sign or vary any statutory instrument governing disbursements from the fund; if he is satisfied that the fund now meets the minimum funding standard provisions of the Pensions Act 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9572/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport if he has sought a detailed explanation from the board of CIE in respect of investment decisions regarding the pension scheme (details supplied); if he has sought details regarding CIE’s pension investment advisors' contact with the board in respect of these investments; if he is satisfied that the board acted appropriately with regard to its fiduciary duties in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9575/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.
CIÉ have advised that the Group’s two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), are currently not in compliance with the Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) as defined in the Pensions Act 1990.
As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to the schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority.
In relation to the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to proposed changes to the 1951 scheme which is being considered by my Department in conjunction with NewERA. However, the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days and the outcome from the Hearing is expected in the coming months.
The questions raised by the Deputy in relation in relation to the 1951 scheme are an operational matter for CIÉ. 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.
176. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport the amount that Iarnród Éireann spent on personnel security within its stations and trains in 2022; and the additional funding that will be allocated for same in 2023. [9588/23]
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 operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy in relation to the amount that Iarnród Éireann spent on personnel security within its stations and trains in 2022 is an operational matter for the company. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
177. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport the amount of moneys awarded to Mayo County Council for regional roads funding in each of the years 2021 and 2022; and the status of each project submitted for funding at the end of each year, in tabular form. [9606/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra178. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the full list of projects submitted by Mayo County Council for funding via the regional roads funding to date in 2023. [9607/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Eligible local authorities are advised as early as possible at the start of each year of the grant amount available to them under the Restoration Maintenance, Supplementary Restoration Maintenance, Restoration Improvement, Discretionary Grant, Drainage Grant, Training Grant and PSCI Survey Support Grant Programmes. The bulk of the grant funding provided to local authorities for regional and local roads is directed to maintenance and renewal works. Once the grants are notified to local authorities it is a matter for each local authority to draw up their annual programme of pavement works which must then be submitted on the Asset Management System which is hosted by the Road Management Office.
As regards other grant programmes, each year the Department issues Circulars to eligible local authorities seeking grant applications for the following year for the Bridge Rehabilitation, Safety Improvement, Former National Roads, Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience, Signage Grant Programmes. In the case of the Community Involvement Scheme applications are sought for a 2 year period.
The Department no longer seeks annual applications from local authorities in respect of the Specific (road improvement schemes costing up to €5m.) and Strategic (improvement schemes costing over €5m.) Grant Programmes. Instead it considers projects proposed by local authorities on a case by case basis taking into account the availability of funding and the outcome of project appraisals. Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific or Strategic Grant Programmes must comply with the requirements of the DPER Public Spending Code and the Department’s Capital Appraisal Framework.
Following the notification of the grants to local authorities the Department lodges an allocations booklet to the Oireachtas Library which sets out in tabular form the allocations provided to each local authority. The allocations booklets for 2021 and 2022 are available in the Oireachtas Library.
As regards the end of year position, payments booklets which set out the outturn under the various programmes for 2021 and 2022 are also available in the Oireachtas Library.
As regards 2023, the allocations booklet will be lodged to the Oireachtas Library shortly. Details of the 2023 regional and local grant allocations are available at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/2381e-626-million-for-regional-and-local-roads-announced/.
179. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied) raised by elected Trustees of the CIÉ ‘1951’ pensions committee as it relates to his Ministerial responsibilities and functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9608/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCIÉ have advised that the Group’s two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), are currently not in compliance with the Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) as defined in the Pensions Act 1990.
As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to the schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority.
In relation to the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to proposed changes to the 1951 scheme which is being considered by my Department in conjunction with NewERA. However, the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days and the outcome from the Hearing is expected in the coming months.
The questions raised by the deputy in relation to the 1951 scheme are an operational matter for CIÉ. 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.
180. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to sign amending Statutory Instruments into law that would change and reduce the pension benefits of CIÉ employees under the CIÉ 1951 pension scheme; if he is aware that this semi-State pension scheme is solvent and compliant with the minimum funding standard provisions of the Pensions Act 1990, and that there is significant opposition from past and present CIÉ workers to any such changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9616/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCIÉ have advised that the Group’s two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), are currently not in compliance with the Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) as defined in the Pensions Act 1990.
As the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to the schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard required by the Pensions Authority.
In relation to the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to proposed changes to the 1951 scheme which is being considered by my Department in conjunction with NewERA. However, the rules governing the 1951 scheme are currently subject to ongoing legal proceedings before the Commercial Court. The Hearing commenced on 24 May 2022 for 4 days and the outcome from the Hearing is expected in the coming months.
The questions raised by the Deputy in relation in relation to the 1951 scheme are an operational matter for CIÉ. 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
