Written Answers Nos. 74-82
75. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the total cost arising from the reduced 20% public transport fares to the public and the reduced 50% public transport to students and young people under 24 years of age nationwide; if he is considering making the reduction permanent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14079/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the 20% public transport fares discount and Young Adult Card, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
76. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the total estimated cost of eliminating all public transport fares in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14080/23]
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.
The PSO programme represents a significant expenditure of taxpayers' money, and funding has increased in recent years to cater for additional services and growing capacity. Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the total estimated cost of eliminating all public transport fares in rural areas, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
77. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to increase transport accessibility in public transport in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14081/23]
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 day-to-day operations and promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network, in both urban and rural areas.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities, including the provision of accessible public transport services in rural areas, I have forwarded your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
78. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking in improving pedestrian safety and infrastructure on rural roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14082/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe past three years have seen a significant increase in my Department's funding for both cycling and walking, in line with the Government’s prioritisation of Active Travel and Greenways. In 2021 I was delighted to announce the first ever major Active Travel investment programme for rural Ireland through the National Transport Authority (NTA), to support sustainable transport projects in 19 local authorities outside the Greater Dublin Area and regional cities. In 2022 this investment was incorporated into the NTA's core Active Travel Programme and funding has continued to be allocated through to this year. Details of these allocations are available at: www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Combined_2023_ActiveTravel_Allocations.pdf
The overall increase in funding across urban and rural Ireland will not only support the construction and improvement of safe and connected walking and cycling infrastructure but also the deployment of dedicated Active Travel staff in local authorities around the country. The Active Travel funding also includes funding for the Safe Routes to Schools Programme launched in 2021, which aims to accelerate the delivery of safe walking, scooting and cycling infrastructure on key access routes to schools. It has had a great response, with applications received from schools in every county in Ireland. 275 schools were selected for the first two rounds of the programme and are at various stages of project completion.
My Department also provides funding for Greenways through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), and funding of €63 million has been allocated for around 70 Greenway projects across the country in 2023. Greenways are for use by people walking and cycling and also provide an option in rural areas for connections to towns and villages. TII are also including pedestrian and cycling infrastructure as part of certain National Road construction and renovation works. In addition, a number of regional and local road improvement schemes which are currently under construction or have been recently completed, incorporate provision for cycle tracks and footpaths.
In addition, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have been focusing on pedestrian safety through the provision of high visibility material to the public as well as their road safety education programmes which are being delivered to all members of the community through its Nationwide Road Safety Education Service and its Shuttle. High visibility materials are given out free of charge online. This service is also being promoted through social media, making people aware that they can also book an educator to deliver education presentations. Up to the end of February 2023, 24,805 people have received road safety education by the RSA team. This would include pedestrian safety as well as all other road safety behaviours.
79. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport if the Government is considering implementing a congestion charge on private motor vehicles entering Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14083/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2023 Climate Action Plan includes a commitment to develop a new National Demand Management Strategy for the transport sector over the course of this year with the aim of reducing congestion and complementing an extensive range of supports being provided by Government to help halve our transport emissions by 2030.
Such supports include incentives and investment to facilitate a large-scale transition to electric vehicles, increased penetration of biofuels in the fuel-mix, and unprecedented levels of funding in active and public transport infrastructure and services. While these supports are critical, they are not enough to help us achieve our emissions targets or to help us address gridlock, and air quality issues in our towns and cities. To this end, the new strategy will outline a high-level approach to reducing congestion and improving the air quality, safety and liveability of our urban spaces.
As the Government recognises that demand management measures are most effective and equitable when alternative, more sustainable, public transport and active travel options are readily available, the strategy will support a just transition by encouraging the alignment of demand management measures with other planned measures, such as public transport service enhancements in urban and rural areas, new active travel infrastructure, the Safe Routes to Schools Programme and supports for shared mobility facilities and services. It will take account of people with additional mobility needs, ensuring the same or better access to towns and services, and it will ensure our road networks can appropriately and efficiently support the movement of goods and people, particularly public transport services, and ongoing national and regional economic development.
While CAP23 outlines the range of measures that may be considered in the development of this new strategy, such as road space reallocation, car-free zones and user/congestion charging, nothing has been decided to date. As part of the process to develop the strategy, my department will work closely with other key departments, agencies, and local authorities to consider the potential impacts and opportunities of various demand management measures across the whole of society.
Before bringing a draft strategy to Government for final approval at the end of this year, my department will undertake an initial phase of public consultation in the coming months alongside targeted engagement with key stakeholders throughout the course of 2023.
80. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the number of people currently on an NCT cancellation list by county. [14106/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the number of people with appointments booked for NCTs by county. [14107/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 81 together.
The operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the Deputy's queries 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.
82. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport when the new powers in relation to the use of scramblers will be activated; and if guidelines will be issued to gardaí at local level on the use of these powers. [14122/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 is due to return to the Seanad for the Report and Final Stage on 28 March. Given that there are Seanad amendments, a report back to the Dáil after passing the Seanad will be required. It is anticipated that the Bill will be signed into law in quarter 2 of 2023. Work on commencement orders has begun.
This is quite a large Bill covering many topics, one of these being tackling the anti-social use of scramblers and other similar vehicles. The Deputy will be aware that there are three measures in the Bill to address this matter. Dangerous driving, currently an offence only in a ‘public place’ will become an offence everywhere; there will be new Garda powers of seizure; and there will be a new power to provide in regulations for the prohibition or restriction of the uses of classes of vehicles in particular places.
There are ongoing consultations between my department and An Garda Síochána about the sequencing of commencement. My Department will also consult with other stakeholders in the context of preparing regulations under the new powers. It is important that these regulations have the desired effect.
It is anticipated that all sections relating to scramblers will be commenced soon after the passage of the Bill. The manner in which An Garda Síochána informs members of the new legislation, and any guidelines which may be required for its implementation, are matters for the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána.
