Written Answers Nos. 281-288
282. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on regulations for the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023; what the regulations include; when they will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48721/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy's query is in relation to regulations for the use of e-scooters on public roads.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, which has been signed into law, will amend the Road Traffic Act 1961 by introducing a new vehicle class, powered personal transporters (PPTs), which will not be subject to tax, registration, licensing and motor insurance requirements.
E-scooters will be classified as PPTs and will be legal for use on public roads when regulations are introduced. The regulations will cover the use of and specifications for e-scooters. Guidelines and education and training programmes will also be developed to promote and encourage their safe use.
Among other criteria, a maximum speed limit of 20km/h will apply, along with a maximum power output of 400 Watts and a maximum weight - including batteries - of 25kg. Other technical requirements, including for lighting and construction, will also be introduced.
An age limit of 16 will apply and e-scooters with seats will not be permitted. E-scooters will not be permitted to carry more than one person, nor to be used for the carriage of goods.
Although the use of helmets and other personal protective equipment, including hi-vis, on e-scooters will not be required by law, it is strongly recommended by the Road Safety Authority.
In line with EU law, the draft e-scooter technical regulations were notified to the European Commission Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS) for review. This process is now complete. The Commission made some comments on the draft regulations during TRIS and these are currently being reviewed. However, I expect the review to be completed in the coming weeks.
283. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the attached complaint on the availability of service, and the ongoing lack of service causing issues for passengers with a disability on the number 15 bus route; if he will issue a response to this complaint ensuring it is investigated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48726/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for developing an accessible, integrated and sustainable public transport network. This includes the real-time passenger information system referred to in the Details Supplied. It is the individual transport companies, for example Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland, which have responsibility for the operation of public transport services, in conjunction with the NTA.
In light of the NTA's over-arching responsibilities in relation to public transport services, including on route 15, and accessibility for disabled people and persons with disabilities, I have forwarded your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
284. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with TII about improving the safety and maintenance of a stretch of road in County Cork (details supplied); if a contractor can take over the maintenance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48734/23]
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 operation and maintenance 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 the Deputy.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question regarding the N20 to the TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
285. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the amount that TII spent in 2022, and to date in 2023, on installation of crash barriers separating both directions of traffic on both national roads and motorways; the locations where crash barriers were installed; and the locations in 2024 where crash barriers will be installed separating both directions of traffic on both national roads and motorways. [48756/23]
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 operation and management 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 the Deputy.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
286. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that approximately 2,260 of CIÉ's salaried pensioners have not received an increase in their pension in line with CIÉ salary increases from 2016 to date; what action is being taken by his Department to remedy the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48766/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the CIÉ Group is actively engaged in introducing changes to their pension schemes aimed at rectifying the significant deficit in order to meet the statutory Minimum Funding Standard (MFS) required by the Pensions Authority. The changes also aim to sustain the pension schemes into the long-term.As of end December 2022, the Balance Sheet deficit for the two defined benefit pension schemes operated by CIÉ, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”), was €396.5m. While the funding position improved during 2022, and the 1951 scheme now meets the MFS, the RWS currently does not meet the MFS and the funding level is marginal and subject to future market volatility.
In relation to RWS, I signed three Statutory Instruments related to the RWS on 6th July 2022, with an operative date of 18th July 2022.Regarding the 1951 Scheme, CIÉ has prepared and submitted a draft SI to give effect to Labour Court recommendations for the 1951 Scheme, as passed by ballot of trade union members in May 2021. This is being considered by the Department in conjunction with NewERA. The Deputy 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.
Concerning pension increases for CIÉ pensioners, I understand that an increase for pensioners would only be possible when the Schemes are capable of sustaining such increases. Furthermore, any such proposal would be dependent on the advice of the Scheme Actuary at the time an increase is proposed, and is done in agreement with the Trustees of the Schemes. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
287. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport if Louth County Council has made a request to his Department to provide the local authority with financial assistance to undertake repairs to roads in the north Louth area as a result of recent serious flooding incidents; if so, what level of financial support his Department will provide to the council in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48767/23]
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 and supplemented by State Road grants. The Department emphasises to local authorities each year the importance of setting aside a contingency fund to manage events such as severe flooding. There is also good flexibility within the annual grants programme to allow local authorities reprioritise funding following such incidences as severe weather events.
As the Deputy is aware, Storm Babet and Storm Ciarán have caused significant damage to the regional and local road network and it will take time to assess the full extent of the impact on the road network. In addition, noting the extent of damage and associated potential costs that has occurred towards the end of the annual work programme, the Department is aware that most funds in this financial year are expended or committed and any level of reprioritisation is limited.
Local authorities are presently providing initial damage assessments and estimated repair costs for some of the worst effected locations. The priority of the Department is the prompt restoration of the road network, which is required to maintain a safe environment and enable social/economic connectivity.
The extent and cost of full remedial works is still being determined and the Department is liaising with Louth County Council and other affected local authorities throughout this assessment process.
288. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport the percentage of applicants that pass their driving test at the first attempt in the Nenagh test centre, County Tipperary, for B category licences; how this ranks in comparison with all other testing centres in the country for B category licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48818/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. As such, the information requested is held by the Authority and I have referred the question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
