Written Answers Nos. 247-271
247. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport if any projects under his remit are on hold due to Capital Funding pressures; if he will indicate the projects, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12636/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Revised National Development Plan, provides for €35bn in investment from 2021-2030 inclusive. The investment encompasses all transport modes, including active travel, EV infrastructure, public transport, road networks, and aviation and maritime security and safety.
Over 80% of funding goes to public transport and road related investment. The review of the National Development Plan (NDP) in 2020 provided an opportunity to reassess investment plans and update project costings across the public transport capital investment programme, and the revised NDP 2021 – 2030 sets out sets out the 10-year capital ceiling for the programme. Public transport infrastructure projects are progressed in line with both the availability of funding under the NDP envelope and the allocations provided to the programme under the annual Estimates process.
Approximately €491m of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through Transport Infrastructure Ireland to local authorities in 2023. This included approximately €237 million for new roads projects. These allocations were announced by TII and the Department of Transport on 16th February 2023.
The Government earmarked €5.1bn for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. The greater portion of this funding becomes available in the second half of the decade which means that there is a constraint on the funding available for new projects in the period to 2025. Funding allocations are determined on an annual basis.
248. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to alter the Athlone town bus service which serves Bealnamullia to serve a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12692/23]
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 decisions regarding the routes of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the possible alteration of the Athlone town bus service which serves Bealnamullia to serve Colaiste Chiaran, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
249. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will be offered a date for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12736/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), this includes the scheduling of driving tests. Neither I nor my department have access to information in relation to individual cases.
Therefore, I have 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.
250. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will instruct the NTA to introduce self-beep ticketing on Cork buses as part of BusConnects; and the estimated cost of same, in tabular form. [12750/23]
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.
251. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport with his responsibilities under the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993; and the steps he is taking in relation to MV Alta in Ballycotton, including addressing health and safety concerns in relation to persons travelling to view the vessel. [12758/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the relevant legislation that allows for the removal of abandoned vessels in Irish waters such as the MV Alta, is the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993.
Section 40 of the Act provides that the Minister for Transport has the “general superintendence” of matters relating to wrecked or stranded vessels. The Act also sets out the responsibilities from an operational perspective for other bodies. Sections 51 and 52 are of note with regard to the duties of the owner and appropriate authorities.
Section 51 places the initial responsibility for removing a wreck on the owner of the vessel. However, if the appropriate authority, in this case Cork County Council, considers the wreck is or is likely to become an obstruction or danger to navigation or a threat of harm to the marine environment, or to related interests, which includes the health of the public, it shall proceed to raise and remove the wreck or otherwise render it harmless.
While the Act does allow for the removal of a wreck, it does not contain provisions in relation to the costs associated with the removal of a wreck where the sale of that wreck is not possible, and the owners of the vessel cannot be located. It is understood that no evidence of ownership or insurance has come to light yet in the case referred to by the Deputy.
My Department commissioned a health and safety assessment of the wreck referred to by the Deputy in the summer of 2022, with work taking place over number of months. Following completion of this health and safety assessment, the findings were considered by my Department and the report was shared with the relevant appropriate authorities as outlined in the legislation in order to consider any appropriate actions.
Cork County Council and my Department of Transport are continuing to liaise in terms of any residual risks associated with the wreck and a set of interventions to address public safety concerns in the vicinity of the wreck have been identified. I expect these works, including the erection of fencing and signage will be completed early in 2023.
252. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport his views on ensuring that Castletownbere is classified as a larger town within the Connection Ireland plan to ensure that the Beara peninsula is assigned the necessary scale of routes [12806/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra257. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide details of when the announced Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, Skibbereen to Killarney bus route will commence operations. [12811/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 257 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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, including in West Cork, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
253. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an additional sheltered bus stop on the western side of Bandon to facilitate elderly residents. [12807/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra254. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that a sheltered bus stop is put in place in Ballinhassig, County Cork. [12808/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra258. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the status of a bus shelter (details supplied); and the issues stopping the placement of same. [12814/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 254 and 258 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
255. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to ensure the return of the Tralee to London Eurolines route. [12809/23]
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 in relation to the Tralee to London Eurolines route is an operational matter for the company and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
256. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to regulate e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12810/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder current road traffic legislation, e-scooters are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the use of which requires tax, insurance and a driving licence. Since they do not fit into any existing licence category, it is not possible to tax or insure them and they may not be used on public roads or in public places. They may be used on private land with the landowner's permission.
The Programme for Government commits to legislating for e-scooters. The Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, which is before the Oireachtas, defines a new category of vehicle in the Road Traffic Act 1961, powered personal transporters or PPTs. Establishing this new vehicle category will enable me to put technical and other regulations in place to allow for the safe and legal use of e-scooters. Drafting of these regulations is under way.
It is anticipated that the Bill will be enacted in quarter two of this year. The use of e-scooters on public roads and in public places in Ireland will remain illegal until the regulations governing their use are in place. Work is already underway on drafting these regulations, in anticipation of enactment. The e-scooter draft technical regulations must then be submitted to the EU Technical Regulation Inspection Service (TRIS), under the Single Market Transparency Directive (EU) 2015/1535. This process, which allows Member states and the Commission to consider whether proposed technical legislation would create barriers to freedom of movement of goods or services within the EU, takes a minimum of 12 weeks to complete. I intend to submit the technical regulations to TRIS as soon as possible after the Bill is enacted.
Furthermore, officials in my department have recently established a working group which is meeting regularly to ensure all key agencies are working together in preparation for the coming into effect of these regulations.
260. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if a driving test can be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal for employment purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12852/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), this includes the scheduling of driving tests. Neither I nor my department have the power to intervene in individual cases.
Therefore, I have 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. I would note that the RSA does provide for requests for urgent test dates for certain emergency workers.
261. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a timeline for the publication of legislation enabling additional renewable transport fuel obligation certificates to be awarded in respect of renewable transport fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12888/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will carry out a consultation process with interested parties to inform the development of regulations in relation to additional renewable transport fuel obligation certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12889/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.
As provided for in sections 44G and 44GA of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act, I am undertaking a 28-day statutory consultation on draft renewable transport fuel regulations, including a regulation to provide for the issue of additional renewable transport fuel obligation certificate by the National Oil Reserves Agency for specified renewable transport fuels, where those fuels are used for specific purposes or means of transport to incentivise the supply of these renewable transport fuels.
As part of the statutory consultation I published the draft regulation on the Department’s website on Friday 3, March 2023. The closing date for consultation submissions is Thursday, 30 March 2023.
In making the regulations, which I intend to put in place by 1 April 2023, I am required to consider the outcome of the statutory consultation, as well as having regard to any other possible effect of the regulations on the economy and the environment, including the effect on fuel prices within the State, National plans under relevant European Union energy and climate requirements, and the carbon budgets and sectoral emission ceilings prepared and approved under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.
263. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the current policy on anti-drink driving advertisements under the view of the Road Safety Authority, in particular, budget allocations, airtime frequency and current strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12892/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the promotion of public awareness of road safety matters, including intoxicated driving, is a statutory function of the Road Safety Authority, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply.
I would ask that the Deputy contact my offices if no response is received within 10 working days.
264. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the progress made by his Department in respect of targets and goals set out in sustainable development goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of his Department; and if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines. [12913/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious framework. A whole-of-Government approach to its implementation has been taken in Ireland.
Ireland’s Second National Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals, 2022 – 2024 was published in October 2022. The Plan was developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in collaboration with all Government Departments, key stakeholders, and based on input from two public consultation processes. A key objective of the Plan is to achieve greater policy coherence for Sustainable Development with the aim of accelerating achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at all levels of Government.
The Plan is supplemented by two supporting documents: an SDG policy map which identifies the lead Departments and relevant national policies for each of the 169 SDG targets; and a Policy Update document which provides policy updates for each of the SDG targets. These documents are available at www.gov.ie/sdgs
The Central Statistics Office, in collaboration with all Government Departments, has prepared a series of statistical publications which monitor and report on how Ireland is progressing towards meeting its targets under the 17 SDGs. Reports are available for SDGs 1 – 16 and can be found on the central statistics website.
Ireland will present its second Voluntary National Review (VNR) to the UN High-Level Political Forum in July 2023. The VNR report will comprise a high-level data section and a more detailed appendix reporting on progress in respect of achieving the SDGs and related targets.
The Department of Transport has direct responsibility for two targets in the SDGs in the areas of road safety (Target 3.6) and ensuring sustainable, safe and accessible transport for all (Target 11.2).
In relation to Target 3.6, the current framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021 – 2030, which was launched in December 2021. It is the blueprint for making the roads safer for all during this decade and has a particular focus on vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. This follows international best practice, aligns the timeframe with EU and UN targets, and is based on a Safe System approach. The Strategy sets a target of a 50% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2030 and will be delivered in 3 phases.
We are currently in phase 1: 2021 – 2022. There are 186 Actions in the Road Safety Strategy, to be delivered ranging from delivery of feasibility studies, infrastructure investments and development of new legislation. Successful delivery of the Strategy is dependent upon cooperation and contributions from Government Departments, key stakeholders and road users alike.
Regarding Target 11.2, the department and its agencies are progressively making public transport accessible for all, and especially those in vulnerable situations, in both rural and urban areas, by ensuring that new infrastructure and services are accessible from the design stage and retro-fitting older (legacy) infrastructure and facilities to make them accessible.
The department also provides public service obligation (PSO) funding for socially necessary, but uneconomical, public transport services to promote both the development of an integrated, accessible and sustainable public transport network and the integration of local and rural transport services.
Furthermore, in line with the ‘leave no one and no place behind’ SDG principle, the department is funding the rollout of the NTA’s ‘Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan’ to provide new and expanded public transport services in rural and regional areas nationwide. Hundreds of rural villages and areas will for the first time be served by a viable public transport link.
265. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport the rules that govern the provision of disabled car parks; if a private provider can be compelled to provide disabled parking spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12953/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy remit as Minister for Transport is limited to drafting of legislation underpinning the Disabled Parking Scheme, encompassing such aspects as eligibility for a disabled parking permit and the nomination of specific bodies responsible for issuing permits. The provision and physical location of disabled parking bays on public roads is a matter for each local authority.
Road traffic law can only be enforced on public roads and car parks. The installation and enforcement of disabled bays in private car parks, such as those attached to shopping centres and other commercial premises, is the responsibility of the car park's owner.
266. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for when the Cabra and Kylemore Road Dart stations, included in the GDA Transport Strategy, will begin design work; and when they are planned to be constructed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12971/23]
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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including the DART+ Programme.
The Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in January 2023. The strategy commits to the development of a number of new rail stations, including stations at Cabra and Kylemore Road in Ballyfermot.
Earlier this month, the Government gave Decision Gate 1 approval under the Public Spending Code to DART+ South West, allowing the project to enter the planning system. While a station at Kylemore Road is outside the scope of the DART+ South West project, the design of the project has future-proofed its layout to allow the addition of a new station at this location. The NTA has provided funding to Iarnród Éireann this year to commence the preparation of designs and planning for the Kylemore Road station.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply in relation to specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
267. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the number of people on a waiting list (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12976/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), this includes the scheduling of driving tests.
Therefore, I have 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.
268. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the reason, unlike most other sections of the business society, taxi drivers are legally obligated to offer card paying facilities to their customers given that it can often be the case when a driver arrives at some destinations internet is not available which is problematic if the customer has no cash as an alternative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12982/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including arrangements for fares for SPSVs, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
269. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a list of funding for active transport allocated to each local authority from 2019 to 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12999/23]
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 have responsibility for allocating this funding to the local authorities for development of selected projects in each area.
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 allocations over the past five years. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
270. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13007/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy has asked if matters in relation to a pension for a person (details supplied) will be addressed. I understand that similar cases have been the subject of a number of reviews by my predecessors and senior civil servants in my Department over the years in which legal advice was sought on the matter.
The position, as I understand it, is that the person concerned and some other former employees of the Department of Transport and Power voluntarily resigned from the civil service upon accepting posts with Aer Rianta.
On transfer to Aer Rianta, with their agreement, those employees also transferred from the Civil Service Pension Scheme to the Irish Aviation Superannuation Scheme (IASS). Their pension entitlements were transferred at the same time and the IASS received a contribution from the Department in full recognition of the benefit accrued.
It is the Department’s view that daa (formerly Aer Rianta) has complied with its obligations to the individual concerned and other former civil servants with regard to their pension entitlement in accordance with the terms agreed at the time they accepted a contract of employment with Aer Rianta. This position has previously been conveyed to the individual concerned.
271. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if the NTAs review of bus and rail fares (detail supplied) will finally end the current rip-off rail commuters are experiencing on the Northern Line from east Meath, Drogheda and Dundalk; if funding for a reviewed fare structure is agreed; if other details will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13078/23]
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 the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
Enhancing and expanding our public transport services provision across the country is a firm commitment of this Government. To support this objective, in Budget 2023, I secured c. €563m of funding for PSO and Local Link services provided by State operators and under contract by the NTA this year.
Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services, including rail 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.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in these matters, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question in relation to NTAs review of bus and rail fares to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
