Written Answers Nos. 259-275
259. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost to run a six-month pilot scheme in Galway city and county based on the €9 climate ticket proposal, as trialled and adopted in Germany. [36860/23]
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 specific questions in relation to the estimated cost to run a six-month pilot scheme proposal as trialed and adopted in Germany, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
260. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost to run a six-month pilot scheme in Limerick city and county based on the €9 climate ticket proposal as trialled and adopted in Germany. [36861/23]
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 specific questions in relation to the estimated cost to run a six-month pilot scheme proposal as trialed and adopted in Germany, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
261. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost to run a six-month pilot scheme in Dublin city and county based on the €9 climate ticket proposal, as trialled and adopted in Germany. [36862/23]
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 specific questions in relation to the estimated cost to run a six-month pilot scheme proposal as trialed and adopted in Germany, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
262. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the estimated amount it would cost the Government to permanently reduce transport fees for young adults and students, including rail and the €1 transport cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36917/23]
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 questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
263. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the projected cost of making public transport completely free for students and holders of young adult travel cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36918/23]
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 questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
264. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the projected timeline for the establishment of a new centre (details provided); if there any particular issues causing the delay in the provision of this new service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36989/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response with the information requested has not been received within ten days.
265. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport to list each national road project that has been allocated funding since the formation of this Government; the total funding allocated to each project over the 2020-2023 period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37006/23]
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 funding of individual National Roads Projects in the years 2020 to 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.
266. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport the total amount of funding allocated for the development of Greenway projects, by local authority since the formation of this Government, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37007/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Active Travel and Greenways.
As of 20 September 2021, Greenway funding is administered through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
The table below outlines the funds allocated to Greenways, including cross border Greenways, provided directly from the Department of Transport and through TII from September 2021.
|
Local Authority |
Funds Allocated 2020 |
Funds Allocated 2021 |
Funds Allocated 2022 |
Funds Allocated 2023 |
|
Carlow |
€150,000 |
€150,000 |
€60,000 |
€60,000 |
|
Cavan |
€75,000 |
€175,000 |
€150,000 |
€550,000 |
|
Clare |
€255,000 |
€200,000 |
€900,000 |
€2,130,000 |
|
Cork |
€2,174,515 |
€14,515,492 |
€5,740,000 |
€3,850,000 |
|
Donegal |
€340,000 |
€340,000 |
€2,000,000 |
€5,090,000 |
|
Fingal |
€200,000 |
€154,277 |
€350,000 |
€500,000 |
|
Galway |
€1,715,000 |
€5,615,621 |
€3,120,000 |
€4,650,000 |
|
Kerry |
€4,420,970 |
€10,195,879 |
€7,400,000 |
€6,450,000 |
|
Kildare |
€904,167 |
€3,191,681 |
€1,595,000 |
€4,100,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€100,000 |
|
Leitrim |
€500,000 |
€500,000 |
€1,000,000 |
€1,750,000 |
|
Limerick |
€290,000 |
€6,223,342 |
€3,770,000 |
€3,400,000 |
|
Longford |
€191,979 |
€1,701,402 |
€750,000 |
€372,000 |
|
Louth |
€200,000 |
€200,000 |
€370,000 |
€700,000 |
|
Mayo |
€1,887,975 |
€5,296,136 |
€2,650,000 |
€2,320,000 |
|
Meath |
€795,289 |
€260,685 |
€614,000 |
€1,364,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€100,000 |
€100,000 |
€270,000 |
€2,150,000 |
|
Offaly |
€1,947,975 |
€5,048,600 |
€1,323,000 |
€3,880,000 |
|
Roscommon |
€311,309 |
€311,309 |
€1,695,000 |
€1,580,000 |
|
Sligo |
€300,000 |
€300,000 |
€50,000 |
€790,000 |
|
South Dublin |
€0 |
€1,400,000 |
€1,300,000 |
€950,000 |
|
Tipperary |
€1,204,896 |
€95,000 |
€440,000 |
€1,400,000 |
|
Waterford |
€228,814 |
€135,220 |
€600,000 |
€700,000 |
|
Westmeath |
€2,222,272 |
€8,283,269 |
€8,700,000 |
€8,620,000 |
|
Wexford |
€5,458,000 |
€10,729,147 |
€4,000,000 |
€3,350,000 |
|
Wicklow |
€1,500,000 |
€7,279,452 |
€5,350,000 |
€2,800,000 |
267. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if his Department maintains modelling on the anticipated change in greenhouse gas emissions expected to result from each of the road projects included in the National Development Plan 2021-2030; and if so, if he will report on the anticipated impact of each planned road project therein. [37077/23]
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.
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.
Also, the 2030 reference (or baseline case) emissions model - developed by the NTA on behalf of the Department as part of the CAP23 national transport emissions modelling - includes the overall emissions impacts of national demographic growth, in addition to the national programme of transport schemes expected to be delivered by 2030 according to the 2018 NDP. Full details on the CAP23 modelling are available at:
www.nationaltransport.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Climate-Action-Plan-Phase-3-Modelling-Exec-Summary-v5.6.pdf.
268. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport his plans to expand public bikes schemes. [37080/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to cycling and public transport infrastructure, including the provision of funding to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for bike-sharing schemes like the Regional Bikes Scheme in Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.
However, matters related to the day-to-day operations, management or expansion of public bike schemes is a matter for relevant local authorities, in conjunction with the NTA.
As such, I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
269. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport to provide on a local authority basis, in tabular form, since the formation of this Government, the total amount of funding allocated for the development of new walking and cycling infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37109/23]
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, in partnership with local authorities, have responsibility for the selection and development of specific projects in each local authority area. In addition, my Department oversees the National Greenway Programme, which, as of 20 September 2021, administered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.
The table below outlines the funds allocated to Greenways, including cross border Greenways, provided directly from the Department of Transport and through TII from September 2021.
|
Local Authority |
Funds Allocated 2020 |
Funds Allocated 2021 |
Funds Allocated 2022 |
Funds Allocated 2023 |
|
Carlow |
€150,000 |
€150,000 |
€60,000 |
€60,000 |
|
Cavan |
€75,000 |
€175,000 |
€150,000 |
€550,000 |
|
Clare |
€255,000 |
€200,000 |
€900,000 |
€2,130,000 |
|
Cork |
€2,174,515 |
€15,005,492 |
€5,740,000 |
€3,850,000 |
|
Donegal |
€340,000 |
€340,000 |
€2,000,000 |
€5,090,000 |
|
Fingal |
€200,000 |
€154,277 |
€350,000 |
€500,000 |
|
Galway |
€1,715,000 |
€5,615,621 |
€3,120,000 |
€4,650,000 |
|
Kerry |
€4,420,970 |
€10,195,879 |
€7,400,000 |
€6,450,000 |
|
Kildare |
€904,167 |
€3,191,681 |
€1,595,000 |
€4,100,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€100,000 |
|
Leitrim |
€500,000 |
€500,000 |
€1,000,000 |
€1,750,000 |
|
Limerick |
€290,000 |
€6,223,342 |
€3,770,000 |
€3,400,000 |
|
Longford |
€191,979 |
€1,701,402 |
€750,000 |
€372,000 |
|
Louth |
€200,000 |
€200,000 |
€370,000 |
€700,000 |
|
Mayo |
€1,887,975 |
€5,296,136 |
€2,650,000 |
€2,320,000 |
|
Meath |
€795,289 |
€260,685 |
€614,000 |
€1,364,000 |
|
Monaghan |
€100,000 |
€100,000 |
€270,000 |
€2,150,000 |
|
Offaly |
€1,947,975 |
€5,048,600 |
€1,323,000 |
€3,880,000 |
|
Roscommon |
€311,309 |
€311,309 |
€1,695,000 |
€1,580,000 |
|
Sligo |
€300,000 |
€300,000 |
€50,000 |
€790,000 |
|
South Dublin |
€0 |
€1,400,000 |
€1,300,000 |
€950,000 |
|
Tipperary |
€1,204,896 |
€95,000 |
€440,000 |
€1,400,000 |
|
Waterford |
€228,814 |
€135,220 |
€600,000 |
€700,000 |
|
Westmeath |
€2,222,272 |
€8,283,269 |
€8,700,000 |
€8,620,000 |
|
Wexford |
€5,458,000 |
€10,729,147 |
€4,000,000 |
€3,350,000 |
|
Wicklow |
€1,500,000 |
€7,279,452 |
€5,350,000 |
€2,800,000 |
Noting the role of the NTA in the administration of the Active Travel Programme, I have referred your question to that agency for a more detailed response. If you do not receive a reply within 10 working days, please contact my private office.
270. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has examined the possibility of allowing the transport of pets on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37113/23]
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 in relation to those services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the need for more pet-friendly policies on public transport in Ireland to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
271. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport if the criteria to qualify for a disabled person's parking permit will be reviewed, as there are many individuals who previously had a parking permit that are not qualifying for these permits at renewal time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37120/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Disabled Parking Scheme, eligibility for a disabled parking permit is intended for people whose mobility is severely and permanently restricted and for people registered as legally blind.
The permit allows access to parking bays in close proximity to important services, to be able to access the service without undue difficulty and of sufficient size to allow permit holders to safely exit vehicles.
A review of the Disabled Parking Scheme in 2010 highlighted dissatisfaction among disability groups over permits being issued for particular medical conditions, rather than for mobility impairment. Following this, priority for accessible parking is given to those in most need because of mobility or visual impairment rather than for a particular condition or illness, reflecting the Scheme's original intention.
My Department is currently undertaking a review of the Scheme, consisting of mapping of its operation, analysis of the legislation and stakeholder consultation. Eligibility will be among the matters to be considered.
272. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on his officials' engagements with the NTA surrounding the rollout of BusConnects; to provide an update in particular on when the B spine and B4 route are expected to be rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37121/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In both of those areas there have been significant developments since this Government came into office, with last year's publication of a new Sustainable Mobility Policy and its five-year action plan providing strong policy support to the continued expansion and enhancement of bus services. I am also delighted to say that this strong policy support has been backed up by increased levels of Exchequer funding, which is supporting the roll-out of initiatives such as BusConnects.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputys' questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
273. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the investment in national rail services since 2020, including the number of new train carriages delivered, kilometres of new track laid, kilometres of track electrified, and construction of new or expansion of railway stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37122/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network, including the works referred to by the Deputy, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) in the first instance.
Noting the IÉ's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
274. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will supply details and timelines for BusConnects plans for Kildare Road in Dublin 12; if he will request the NTA to liaise with local stakeholders to provide an update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37123/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In both of those areas there have been significant developments since this Government came into office, with last year's publication of a new Sustainable Mobility Policy and its five-year action plan providing strong policy support to the continued expansion and enhancement of bus services. I am also delighted to say that this strong policy support has been backed up by increased levels of Exchequer funding, which is supporting the roll-out of initiatives such as BusConnects.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputys' questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
