Written Answers Nos. 184-207
184. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 12 May 2022, his plans for snap-net fishing on the River Suir in 2023 following its closure a number of years ago; and if his Department has sought engagement with fishermen in the area since it was suggested in May 2022. [11530/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the response to Question No. 179 of 24 January last.
The status of each of Ireland's more than 140 salmon rivers, including the river Suir, will again be reviewed later in 2023 as part of the annual independent scientific assessment of each river to inform regulation for the 2024 season.
Question 179 of 24 January 2023
To ask the Minister for the Environment; Climate and Communications if he will outline his intentions regarding the demand by fishermen for an urgent need for a review of the regulations governing snap net fishing on the rivers in the south-east of Ireland; if he has considered the submissions and correspondence from a person (details supplied) who represents the fishermen in this regard; if he will make the policy changes requested; if he will meet the person and his group to discuss their concerns and their policy suggestions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Reply
Each year a suite of secondary legislation – including the Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme Regulations (WSSTTSRs) – is made by my Department to set out the fisheries management regime for the following year. Prior to finalising the annual legislation, a 30 day public consultation process is undertaken which affords an opportunity for all stakeholders to make a written submission outlining their views on the proposals. The representative of the snap net fishermen made his submission within that process and the submission was carefully considered before the legislation was finalised.
The management of each of Ireland’s more than 140 salmon rivers, derives from the individual conservation needs of the rivers as each has a genetically unique stock of salmon The legislation is based on individual annual assessments of each river, including the Suir, Nore and Barrow where historically Snap Net fishing has taken place. These individual annual stock assessments are carried out by the independent Technical Expert Group on Salmon (TEGOS). This scientific assessment supports the annual management advice of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) setting out the status of each river (open to harvest, open to catch and release angling or closed to all fishing) for the following fishing season.
The Chair of TEGOS has previously engaged with the snap net representative in relation to similar previous submissions. I can request that officials of the Department and IFI engage again with this group and update me.
In line with the conservation imperative the determining factor as to whether any river may open to fishing is the availability of a harvestable surplus above the river’s conservation limit regardless of the harvest method.
186. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will not sign any amending statutory instrument changing the benefits of members of the CIÉ '1951 Scheme' because 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10819/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will insist that CIÉ provides a detailed explanation including all of the outstanding information sought by the statutory '1951 Scheme' Committee of Trustees. [10820/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra188. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will take action in respect of the 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 and which led to as yet unspecified financial loss to the pension scheme it was responsible for. [10821/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra189. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will insist that CIÉ provides answers to the preliminary questions in relation to the CIÉ '1951 Scheme' outlined in the Elected Trustee Bulletin, dated the 20 February 2023 (details supplied). [10822/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he will insist that CIÉ answers the questions posed in relation to the CIÉ '1951 Scheme' by your Elected Trustees in relation to agreed actuarial protocols, as outlined in their Elected Trustee Bulletin, dated 20 February 2023. [10823/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra198. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to sign any amending statutory instrument changing the benefits of members of the CIÉ 1951 scheme; if CIÉ will provide a detailed explanation, including all of the outstanding information sought by the statutory 1951 scheme Committee of Trustees in respect of the failure of the Board of CIÉ to act in a timely manner in relation to investment decisions from the end of March 2020 to 13 May 2020; which CIÉ official was initially contacted by CIÉ's investment advisors when a crucial Board decision was required in early 2020 in relation to scheme investments; the steps that CIÉ official took when they were informed; if CIÉ will respond to the questions posed by its elected trustees in relation to agreed actuarial protocols, as outlined in its Elected Trustee Bulletin, dated 20 February 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11057/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 190, inclusive, and 198 together.
Issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.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 Deputies 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. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term. 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. The deputies may also be aware that 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 additional questions raised by the Deputies in relation to the 1951 scheme are matters for CIÉ. I have, therefore, referred the Deputies questions to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
191. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the number of licensed State-owned vehicles on the national vehicle and driver file in each of the years 2018 to 2022; the number of hybrid and electric vehicles in those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10890/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe details requested by the Deputy are provided in the table below. The data reflect the number of state owned vehicles licensed (with a current motor tax) as at 31 December each year from 2018 to 2022. There were increased in 2022 for Electric (+54%), Petrol/Electric (+225%) and Petrol/Hybrid (+129%) from the 2021 figures. The overall number of vehicles licensed for the same periods is also provided.
|
Number of State Owned Vehicles by Fuel Type |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
DIESEL/ELECTRIC |
29 |
29 |
|||
|
ELECTRIC |
82 |
106 |
140 |
209 |
323 |
|
PETROL/ELECTRIC |
11 |
23 |
21 |
28 |
91 |
|
PETROL/PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC |
6 |
14 |
15 |
17 |
39 |
|
Total State Owned Vehicles |
11,489 |
11,730 |
12,228 |
12,340 |
12,542 |
|
Total Overall Vehicles with a current motor tax |
2,717,722 |
2,805,839 |
2,860,984 |
2,890,975 |
2,919,005 |
192. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the funding allocated to grants for the purchase of electric vehicles over the years 2018 to 2022, broken down by electric and hybrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10891/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraElectric vehicles (EVs) are the most prominent transport mitigation measure in the 2021 Climate Action Plan and Ireland has set an ambitious target of 945,000 EVs on our roads by 2030. This target is challenging but indicates the scale of the transformation that is needed across all sectors if Ireland is to achieve its climate targets in the coming years.
As the Deputy will be aware, a suite of measures is available to EV drivers, including purchase grants for private car owners and taxi drivers, VRT relief, reduced tolls, home charger grants, favourable motor and BIK tax rates, as well as a comprehensive charging network. These measures have collectively contributed to increased take up of EVs in Ireland in recent years, to almost 77,000 at the end of January 2023.
ZEVI's grant schemes aim to encourage behavioural change and support the Government’s commitment to achieving a 51% reduction in transport emissions by 2030. The grant schemes are kept under continuous review to ensure that they are as effective as possible in driving the decarbonisation effort.
The funding allocated for EV purchase grants the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 is as follows:
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
EV Purchase Grant Allocation |
€6m |
€16m |
€30m |
€63m |
€60m |
It should be noted that funding allocations are not broken down between battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Grant funding for PHEVs was removed from 1st January 2022.
The total number of vehicles grant aided from 2018-2022 is outlined in the table below. BEV and PHEV breakdown is only available for 2021 and 2022.
|
Total Grants 2018 |
Total Grants 2019 |
Total Grants 2020 |
2021 BEVs |
2021 PHEVs |
2022 BEVs |
2022 PHEVs |
|
1999 |
4619 |
4843 |
6547 |
6868 |
10624 |
261 |
The 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.
The funding allocated for the eSPSV grant scheme the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 is as follows:
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
eSPSV grant allocation |
€500k |
€500k |
€2m |
€15m |
€15m |
It should be noted that funding allocations are not broken down between battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
The total number of vehicles grant aided from 2018-2022 is outlined in the table below. BEV and PHEV breakdown is only available for 2021 and 2022.
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Total |
|
46 |
35 |
20 |
689 |
636 |
1426 |
Additionally, to promote the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty sector, and to assist road transport companies to transition from fossil fuels, my department launched the AFHDV Purchase Grant Scheme in 2021 to support the purchase of new large vans, trucks, buses and coaches. The Scheme is intended to help bridge the difference in purchase price between conventional heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and those powered by alternatively fuelled power-trains that offer environmental benefits over standard diesel vehicle technologies, and that would not otherwise have been bought.
The allocation for this scheme was €3m in 2021 and €3m in 2022.
193. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the breakdown on the Bus Éireann route 32 Letterkenny to Dublin on 23 February 2023; if he is satisfied with the measures being taken to prevent future interruptions in this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10917/23]
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 32, 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.
194. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the concerns of NDLS employees regarding the closure of the office in Kilkenny on certain days, resulting in job losses; if he will address the issues arising from the cutback, such as the applications from individuals that cannot use online services and those that do not have a PPS card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10966/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) was considering proposals to reduce opening hours in certain NDLS offices, to more closely align front office capacity with local demand for face to face services. When I became aware of these proposals, I asked the Authority to pause their plans, to allow for a fuller evaluation of their impact on broader Government policy objectives. I am subsequently advised by the RSA that it does not intend to proceed with any such proposals. The RSA has been committed at all times to maintaining an in-person, appointment based service.
195. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that older passengers with a free travel pass are being charged to book seats on the Dublin-Belfast train; if this charge is being imposed by Irish Rail or if it is being imposed by Translink NI Railways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11003/23]
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 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.
196. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the success of adding double-decker buses to a PSO route (details supplied); if he plans any further expansions on that route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11039/23]
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 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 addition the NTA is also responsible for decisions regarding bus routes and the type of fleet used for public transport services.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in these matters, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the addition of double-decker buses to Route 343 Limerick-Shannon-Ennis and any plans for further expansions on that route, to the NTA 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.
197. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Transport his views on Leap card incentives (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11043/23]
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. However, unlike with PSO services, the National Transport Authority (NTA) do not set, monitor or regulate fares on services run by commercial operators.
The Leap+1 initiative was a once-off campaign by the NTA to encourage increased usage of public transport services by Leap card holders. I had no role in this initiative nor was it subsidised by any public/exchequer funds.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
199. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if Enfield train station can be included in the Leap card zone; if plans are in place for the station to be included; the timeframe for when this will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11063/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra210. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on when a decision will be made by the National Transport Authority on a possible extension of the short-hop rail zone to Drogheda and Laytown train stations; if he will apprise this Deputy of his functions in relation to the adoption of potential changes to fare structures for commuters using these stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11254/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 199 and 210 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 addition, the NTA also has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in these matters, I have forwarded the Deputies questions to the NTA 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.
200. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to include more frequent trains from Enfield train station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11064/23]
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 issue raised by the Deputy of more frequent trains from Enfield train station is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, and 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
201. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport his Department's plans to develop the second and third phases of the Port Access Northern Cross Route in Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11125/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraLouth County Council is the statutory planning and road authority in its functional area. It is, therefore, a matter for Louth County Council to consider options regarding the development of the proposed Drogheda Northern Cross Route (PANCR) scheme.
It should be noted that there is a limited budget available for projects under the Regional and Local Road Strategic Grant Programme and that, under the Public Spending Code, a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) is required for all projects which are estimated to cost in excess of €10 million. To date no SAR report has been received by my Department from Louth County Council in connection with further phases of the PANCR scheme.
202. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of all lands reserved for future public transport sites, such as train stations in Louth and east Meath; if he will provide any details to progress plans to deliver on those sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11126/23]
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 on a statutory basis the Greater Dublin Area.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.
203. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Transport his views on a proposal (details supplied) to help speed up the Sligo to Dublin Connolly train line; if there are any plans to improve the speed of the Sligo to Dublin train service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11132/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for bringing this proposal to my attention.
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.
The Deputy may wish to note that the Strategic Rail 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, enhancing regional accessibility, supporting balanced regional development and rail connectivity to our international gateways. The Review is considering the scope for improved rail services and infrastructure along the various existing, or potential future, corridors of the network including disused and closed lines. This scope includes capacity on the Sligo/Mullingar line, including the type of issues to which the Deputy refers.
The Review is now at an advanced stage and will be published after the necessary approvals are secured on both sides of the border.
204. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport the status of a roads project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11135/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 Councils' 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.
The Department has provided funding to Mayo County Council for the road re-alignment and bridge replacement scheme at Glenisland on the R312 which was completed at the end of 2021.
Mayo County Council received an allocation of €100,000 this year under the Specific Improvement Grant Programme to progress the planning and design of the second phase of proposed works at Glenisland on the R312.
205. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11177/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases.
I believe the RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process, such that those who are eligible and have been waiting the longest are offered a test first.
I am told that urgent tests are only available to applicants who are employed by the HSE, a private hospital or the emergency services where the candidate would need to drive as part of their job (not including commuting to their place of work).
Information on who can apply for an emergency test is available at: www.rsa.ie/services/learner-drivers/the-driving-test/faqs
206. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the number of each category of train ticket sold for the Dublin Pearse to Maynooth commuter route in 2022 and to date in 2023, in both directions. [11192/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra207. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the amount of revenue generated through child fares on Dublin Bus journeys in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [11193/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 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 the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts. In addition, the Authority also has responsibility for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in these matters, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA 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.
