Written Answers Nos. 164-183
164. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of a shortage of the availability of buses in Ireland; if he will introduce a scheme where vehicles can be imported from the UK for a defined period, with no duty applying to the imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17511/24]
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 the procurement of the national Public Service Obligation bus fleet.
The first order of 100 double deck electric buses for the Dublin network was placed in 2022 and all were delivered by the end of last year. Following the installation of charging infrastructure in Summerhill and Phibsboro bus depots in Dublin circa 40 of these buses are available for service and the remainder will enter service on an incremental basis in the coming months.
In January 2023, the transformation of the Athlone town bus service into Ireland’s first 100% zero-emission town bus service was completed, with the introduction of 11 brand new, state-of-the-art single-deck battery-electric buses.
In April 2024, the first phase of depot electrification to support the transition of Limerick city services to operation by zero-emission buses began and the first 34 double-deck battery-electric buses are entering service in the city.
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.
165. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if the large number of cars that have come into the State from outside the European Union are subject to the same NCT and insurance requirements as all Irish vehicles; the steps taken to ensure compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17602/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraNCT and insurance requirements apply only to registered vehicles in Ireland. The legislation and practices governing the importation and registration of motor vehicles in Ireland is a matter for the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the legal basis for the matter described by the Deputy is Chapter IV of the Finance Act 1992 and the Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations.
While my Department does not have a function in respect of the registration of vehicles, it should be noted that all motor vehicles are required to undergo mandatory roadworthiness inspections once the vehicle has reached a certain age, generally 4 years for passenger vehicles and 1 year for commercial vehicles. These rules also apply to an imported used vehicle which must also undergo a roadworthiness inspection before that vehicle can be used on a public road (once that vehicle has reached the age previously indicated).
166. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the nature of refurbishment works carried out at Kilkenny and Carlow train stations in the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the future refurbishment works that are scheduled to take place at these stations over the next 18 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17619/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including the stations referred to by the Deputy, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
167. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost to recruit an additional 25 NCT testers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17620/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the National Car Testing Service, including the recruitment of staff, 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.
168. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost to recruit an additional 25 driving testers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17621/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including the employment of driver testers, and the information requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the questions 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.
169. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if a regulatory impact assessment was carried out before he signed S.I. No. 703 of 2022 implementing Article 7.3 of Directive 2014/94/EU; if so, if a copy of the assessment will be provided; and if not, the reason this was not done. [17645/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2022 the Department of Transport put in place Regulations via Statutory Instrument 703 of 2022 to implement Article 7(3) of the European Union Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (Directive 2014/94/EU) which required that all Member States make provision for the display of comparative fuel price information at fuel stations.
The Directive intended to make simple and easy-to-compare information on the prices of different fuels widely available, as it was considered that it could play an important role in enabling vehicle users to better evaluate the relative cost of individual fuels available on the market and to incentivise consumers to consider alternatively fuelled vehicles and their various benefits beyond even the financial.
EU Member States must implement all relevant provisions of an EU Directive as soon as practicable, taking into account the individual circumstances of any particular provision's effect.
At the time of publication of the Regulations it was considered that a formal Regulatory Impact Assessment was not required as there was no distinct regulatory impact which could considered outside of the bounds of the direct provisions of the EU Directive. As Ireland and all Member States were legally obliged to put in place a fuel price comparison this was essentially a set impact, with minimal deviation permitted from the requirement to introduce fuel price comparisons.
A general assessment of the impact of the Regulations was however undertaken and was used to scope the specific provisions which would apply in the Regulations.
The assessment sought to ensure that the Regulations were proportionate and would not cause excessive burden on fuel stations operators. In particular, this sought to ensure that the Regulations were not overly onerous for operators of smaller fuel filling stations, by requiring that only stations with 3 or more fuel pumps need comply and display the fuel price comparison information.
As part of this assessment, SEAI as the planned Regulator for Fuel Price Comparison information contacted fuel retailer groups to notify them of the forthcoming Regulations as well as to gather information on the sector and its size. It should be noted however that, to date, enforcement of these Regulations has not been undertaken due to the necessity to prepare for the complex task of undertaking site visits to a significant number of fuel stations. This preparatory work is nearing completion and so SEAI has again written to fuel station operators offering the opportunity to self-propose an “opt-out” of requirements on their site via declaration of ineligibility.
The Department is aware of concerns being raised in relation to the eventual enforcement of these Regulations and is working with SEAI to consider all feedback received.
170. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if industry was consulted, with particular reference to small and medium enterprises, before he signed S.I. No. 703 of 2022 implementing Article 7.3 of Directive 2014/94/EU. [17646/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2022 the Department of Transport put in place Regulations via Statutory Instrument 703 of 2022 to implement Article 7(3) of the European Union Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive (Directive 2014/94/EU) which required that all Member States make provision for the display of comparative fuel price information at fuel stations.
EU Member States must implement all relevant provisions of an EU Directive as soon as practicable, taking into account the individual circumstances of any particular provisions effect.
An assessment of the impact of the Regulations was undertaken before publication and was used to scope the specific provisions which would apply in the Regulations. The assessment sought to ensure that the Regulations were proportionate and would not cause excessive burden on fuel stations operators. In particular, this sought to ensure that the Regulations were not overly onerous for operators of smaller fuel filling stations, by requiring that only stations with 3 or more fuel pumps need comply and display the fuel price comparison information.
As part of this assessment, SEAI as the planned Regulator for Fuel Price Comparison information contacted fuel retailer groups to notify them of the forthcoming Regulations as well as to gather information on the sector and its size. It should be noted however that, to date, enforcement of these Regulations has not been undertaken due to the necessity to prepare for the complex task of undertaking site visits to a significant number of fuel stations. This preparatory work is nearing completion and so SEAI has again written to fuel station operators offering the opportunity to self-propose an “opt-out” of requirements on their site via declaration of ineligibility.
The Department is aware of concerns being raised in relation to the eventual enforcement of these Regulations and is working with SEAI to consider all feedback received.
171. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the proposed coastal local link bus service serving towns and villages between Arklow and Greystones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17653/24]
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 Wicklow, 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.
172. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider making changes to payment methods for those issued with speeding fines in Ireland but who live in a foreign country, including provision of an online payment option; if he will reassess the 56-day limit to allow for postage and potential errors on forms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17679/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised in response to Parliamentary Question 50 of the 10th April 2024, I as Minister for Transport cannot comment on the processing of payments arising from speeding offences, as such operations are a matter for An Garda Síochána.
The Deputy may wish to note, however, that officials from my Department have been working on amendments to the European Cross-border Exchange of Information Directive, which will streamline mutual assistance procedures between Member States for the cross-border investigation of road-safety-related traffic offences, including speeding. These amendments will greatly assist An Garda Síochána in identifying non-residents who have drive illegally in this jurisdiction, thus facilitating the successful delivery of penalty notices to those drivers in their Member States of residence and higher levels of enforcement overall.
173. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Transport when it is intended to publish the preferred route corridor for the N4 Mullingar to Rooskey. [17740/24]
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 Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
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.
174. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driving test appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17747/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of driver testing. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department hold information on individual cases. As such, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within ten days.
175. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport if funding will be provided to upgrade Thomastown railway station, Kilkenny, to make it disabled-friendly and to include modern toilet facilities, covered waiting area and seating; and if the matter will be expedited. [17764/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. The operation, maintenance and renewal of the rail network and stations on the network, including the proposed upgrading of the station at Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
176. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport if all new commuter and Intercity rail carriages that are coming into the fleet over the next few years will now automatically have a ramp covering the gap distance between carriage and platform at all the stations. [17800/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the purchase of 41 additional intercity railcars and the DART+ Programme.
The delivery of 41 additional intercity railcars was completed in March 2023 and this fleet has recently begun to enter service on a phased basis. These new railcars will allow for enhanced services across the rail network as they are introduced into service this year.
Approval by Government in December 2021 permitted the purchase of 95 DART carriages from Alstom, to start entering into service by 2026. In November 2022, the Government approved a second purchase of fleet under the framework agreement with Alstom, which will see an additional 90 new battery-electric multiple units enter service from around 2026.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
177. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport the measures a person can take in a situation (details supplied) in order to apply for the driver theory test. [17827/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe photo ID requirements for the driver theory test are defined in legislation. I understand, however, that it is possible to obtain a Public Services Card without a passport, which can in turn be used to apply for a theory test. The local Public Services Card centre should be contacted for more information in this regard.
178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter with regard to advertising by the RSA (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17879/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the promotion of road safety awareness, advertising, and the dissemination of road safety information and the information being requested is held by them. I have therefore referred the question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
179. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding that has been allocated to Kerry County Council through the safety improvement works programme on regional and local roads from 2019 to 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17880/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
Within the budget available to the Department, State grant funding is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to ensure that all local authorities are in receipt of funds to maintain the network. The allocation of the three biggest exchequer grant types (restoration maintenance, restoration improvement, and discretionary grants) are based on the length of regional and local roads within a local authority’s area, with additional weighting based on contributing traffic factors in specific areas.
The Department seeks applications each October for consideration for funding of safety improvement works on regional and local roads to be carried out by local authorities in the following year. The schemes for inclusion in the application are decided by the individual local authorities.
Kerry County Council Safety Improvement Grant Allocation 2019-2024
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Allocation |
€ 460,000 |
€ 480,000 |
€ 470,000 |
€ 515,000 |
€ 542,500 |
€ 550,000 |
Kerry County Council is responsible the implementation of their annual programme for road maintenance and the Department has no role in that process.
180. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the digitisation of railway records similar to those of the Land Commission. [17932/24]
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 issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the digitisation of railway records is a matter for Irish Rail. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail for direct response to the Deputy.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
181. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the development of a national strategy for camera-based enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17953/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with commitments set out under Actions 67 and 122 of the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, the National Transport Authority (NTA) chaired a cross-agency working group to examine various approaches to expediting the timely and efficient introduction of camera enforcement.
Building on the recommendations of this group and work undertaken by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in respect of speed cameras, the Department has appointed TII to lead the development of the National Safety Camera Enforcement Strategy. This strategy will outline the structure, funding and partnership and governance arrangements associated with the management and implementation of camera enforcement in Ireland. The Strategy is expected to be finalised before the end of 2024.
There are also a number of ongoing and immediate actions in respect of cameras in advance of the production of the wider strategy. TII is working with An Garda Síochána (AGS) on the rollout of three additional average speed camera locations, while AGS has also approved the rollout of nine additional static cameras. A 20% increase in the hours of deployment of GoSafe vans, announced by the Minister for Justice last September, has also now been extended to October 2025. This will deliver 9,000 hours of activity each month, up from 7,500 before the rise.
As TII is leading the development of the national strategy, I have referred the question to TII for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
182. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport the status of a road project in Cork (details supplied); if considerations will be given to fast-tracking the project due to the amount of delays being caused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17969/24]
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, operation 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 Infrastructure Guidelines 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.
183. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has any statistics on the impact that school traffic has on commuting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17973/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport does not hold or capture data that would enable the generation of statistics such as those you outline on the impact that specific traffic cohorts have on commuting times. I am not aware of other sources outside the Department that would allow for comprehensive analysis of this topic either.
