Written Answers Nos. 76-93
77. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the completion of national road projects in County Cork, including the N73 Clogher Cross-Waterdyke scheme, the Dunkettle Interchange, and the N22 Macroom-Ballyvourney Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20819/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (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 you on the status of national roads projects in County Cork, for which approximately €78 million in capital funding was allocated in 2023.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
79. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he can detail the position in relation to public transport companies hiring bus drivers; if shortages in staff are being addressed; the current number of staff shortages affecting Bus Éireann, Go Ahead and Dublin Bus; if he or his officials have had any discussion with these companies on plans to attract and retain staff, specifically in relation to improvements in pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20796/23]
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 such as driver recruitment.I understand that many operators in the transport sector have experienced difficulties in recruiting new drivers. These issues are found across all types of operators both public and private. The National Transport Authority (NTA) have been working with operators to try and mitigate the impacts including running recruitment campaigns.
My Department also engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to secure changes to the employment permit system and as a result a quota of 1,500 employment permits for bus and coach drivers from non-EU and non-EEA Countries has been established to help address the recruitment challenges being faced by the sector.
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. Dublin Bus also recently advised that applications for the role have increased considerably in recent months.
Concerning terms and conditions of employees (including pay and conditions), these are matters for the relevant companies and do not fall within my remit as Minister for Transport.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Go-Ahead for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
81. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he has any plans to publish legislation that would restrict or ban private jets from Irish airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20824/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe upcoming review of Ireland’s National Aviation Policy will provide opportunity for a broad range of policy issues to be examined, and the subject of private jets is one such matter which will be considered.
82. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the ongoing collapse of bus services in the lower Ballyfermot area, specifically the Number 60 route, is driving people away from public transport options and undermining confidence in public transport; if he is further aware of the refusal of the NTA to revise its failed plans; the issues that have arisen with BusConnects in relation to similar withdrawn or reduced services in other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20795/23]
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, including matters related to timetabling and route planning.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to bus services in the lower Ballyfermot area, specifically the Number 60 route, and the implementation of BusConnects, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
83. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the electrification of the train line to Hazelhatch via Clondalkin, Lucan, and Adamstown. [20743/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government approved the updated Preliminary Business Case in respect of the DART+ South West project in March this year, under Decision Gate 1 of the Public Spending Code.
The DART+ South West project will extend DART services from Dublin city centre to Hazelhatch and Celbridge train station, as part of the wider expansion of the DART network in the coming years. It will provide a fast, high-frequency and electrified rail service to communities along the route at Islandbridge, Park West and Cherry Orchard, Clondalkin, Adamstown, and Hazelhatch and Celbridge.
The Government’s approval enabled the DART+ South West project to enter the statutory planning process and the Railway Order application for the project was submitted to An Bord Pleanála on 22 March.
85. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on bus route 981 in Sligo, which runs from Coolaney – St. Angela’s College; and if the Maugheraboy area of Sligo will be included in this route without further delay, as was promised when the route was announced and was included in all media releases at that time. [20373/23]
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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including the Rural Transport Programme management, which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services, including in County Sligo, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
86. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the plans that will be put in place to address the unacceptable long delays in the National Car Test system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20813/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the Deputy's query 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 am aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet high demand for tests and the delays which vehicle owners are encountering. My officials continue to meet weekly with the Authority to monitor ongoing progress in reducing test delays and to ensure all possible actions are being taken to bring the waiting list to an acceptable level in 2023, as well as supporting all appropriate requests from the RSA for assistance. I have also met with the RSA Chief Executive and Chair to discuss this and other matters.
There has been considerable progress in addressing the long-term staffing issues which have caused this backlog and increasing capacity at test centres, including the temporary transfer of testers from the NCTS contractor’s Spanish operation last year, increased staff overtime and extensive recruitment of new vehicle inspectors. There are currently 589 testers in place, with 18 more testers commencing training this week and a further 17 expected in the coming weeks. New testers are being assigned to the test centres with the most significant delays.
Just over 48,000 tests were completed last week, comprising 32,316 full tests and 15,832 re-tests. An average of 31,000 full tests were conducted each week last month, a significant increase on figures for December 2022, when tests averaged 25,000 per week. The average waiting period nationally is now just over 26 days and the RSA is confident that a return to the service level agreement waiting period of 12 days will be achieved by July 2023.
In the interim, I am advised that customers seeking test appointments may contact the NCTS directly, by calling 01-4135992 or by availing of the priority waiting list function via the NCT website, www.ncts.ie. In the majority of cases, these vehicle owners are provided with an appointment within 30 days.
87. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport given the recent increase in reports of anti-social behaviour, the measures his Department is taking to ensure the safety of passengers on the Dublin and commuter belt transport networks. [20750/23]
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 operation and provision of public transport.
While the safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff is of utmost importance, arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour on public transport are matters which first and foremost must be managed by each public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is further engaged with public transport operators regarding the issue of anti-social behaviour.
As such, the issues raised by the Deputy are operational matters for the respective individual transport operators and I have therefore forwarded their questions to Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (which manages the contract with Transdev - the operator of the LUAS) for more detailed reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
89. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he intends to introduce legislation, regulations and/or guidelines for experimental road-traffic orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20371/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent years and particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, many local authorities have sought to implement certain traffic and transport related measures on roads and streets. The types of measures developed included widening of footpaths to accommodate social distancing, development of temporary cycling facilities, enhancing pedestrian movement including additional pedestrianisation, alterations to bus stops/routes. Most of the interventions were implemented through temporary construction involving bollards, pencil cones, plastic barriers, road markings and signage. The two main legislative provisions to enable the implementation of the above physical measures are: Section 95 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (as amended by Section 37 of the Road Traffic Act 1994) and Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act 1994.
My department along with the NTA and local authorities are currently working on new guidelines to better support the use of Section 38 to include the potential piloting of traffic schemes which in turn should facilitate better engagement with the public as well as helping to improve design for final implementation beyond pilots. As part of this work separate guidelines supporting the reallocation of street space are also being developed. The guidelines supporting the use of Section 38 will be designed to be complementary to existing procedures and guidelines in use but will allow for additional options for local authorities, supporting the roll-out of traffic and transport related measures on roads and streets. The development of these guidelines is well advanced and I look forward to their publication in the coming months.
90. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the action his Department has taken to date regarding the evacuation of Irish citizens from Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21036/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 4 May, 253 Irish citizens and their dependents have been assisted to evacuate from Sudan since the current crisis began. This operation has been led by a consular crisis response team for Sudan in the Department of Foreign Affairs, which has been in place since the outbreak of conflict on 15 April. This has been a very complex and challenging undertaking, and I am particularly grateful for the efforts of all those who have been involved, and the assistance of our EU and international partners during this period.
Consular assistance and support to evacuate continues to be provided on an ongoing basis from our consular teams in Dublin, our Embassy in Kenya, and our mission network wherever those evacuated are transiting through. Consular teams continue to work with people as they are evacuated, helping to arrange accommodation when needed and supporting and assisting with onward arrangements.
The Emergency Civil Assistance Team (ECAT) mission, which involved Defence Forces personnel in support of officials from my Department, assisted with the process in Djibouti and Cyprus, before concluding their mission on 30 April.
My Department remains in ongoing contact with remaining Irish citizens in Sudan who wish to leave. Our experienced consular teams in Dublin and in the region will continue to actively respond to the needs of our citizens as the situation evolves.
At the same time, the Government will continue to support efforts to end the conflict and calls for conditions where people are able to stay secure and return to their homes and families.
91. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if people on a cultural exchange from Palestine to Ireland will need additional documentation when travelling from Dublin to Belfast; to outline the additional documentation that will be needed including costs that may apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20919/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no role in the administration of immigration matters of other jurisdictions, including entry into Northern Ireland.
In general, queries relating to immigration controls in another jurisdiction should be addressed to the relevant authorities in that jurisdiction.
Individuals are advised to check with the authorities of their intended destination – in this case the UK authorities – if they are subject to any specific immigration requirements and related costs. The UK publishes a full list of nationalities who require visas to enter the UK, including Northern Ireland, which can be found at: www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
92. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of people who were considered in appointing the Chair of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy; the selection process and criteria involved in selecting the Chair; which other persons were considered as part of the selection process for the role; the methods were taken to publicise expressions of interest in the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20940/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with similar national processes, an independent Chairperson was selected to chair the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy.
The Chair was appointed having regard to the remit of the Consultative Forum and, consequently, to the competencies, skills and experience required to conduct same.
Louise Richardson DBE, the highly-respected President of the Carnegie Corporation and former vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, has agreed to take on the important role.
I am confident that Ms. Richardson, who is a native of County Waterford, and a distinguished political scientist with a strong expertise in security policy in her own right, will play a hugely positive role in chairing and overseeing the discussions.
93. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give further consideration to the reintroduction of a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20941/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe programme in question was funded in its entirety by the International Fund for Ireland between 1987 and 2012. It received no Department of Foreign Affairs funding.
The IFI is an independent, international organisation. Funding decisions are made by the IFI board consistent with the Fund's strategy. The current IFI strategy, Connecting Communities, runs to 2024. A copy of the strategy is available on the IFI website.
