Written Answers Nos. 195-217
195. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport the efforts that are being made to achieve national targets regarding the use of electric vehicles; if he will consider a strategy or policy to encourage the importation of second-hand EVs from the UK, including reducing VRT and other taxes, charges and levies on the importation of these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17628/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the transport sector accounts for approximately 20% of Ireland’s national greenhouse gas emissions, with car use responsible for over half of these emissions. In recognition of this, the Climate Action Plan contains commitments to significantly increase electrification within the national fleet, including an ambitious target of 945,000 electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. Meeting this target will be extremely challenging; however, it represents the scale of transformation needed in the transport sector if emissions are to be reduced to the extent required.
A positive policy environment has been fostered with a generous suite of financial and taxation incentives in place for those buying an EV as well as an extensive publicly accessible recharging infrastructure network. Presently, there are approximately 53,000 EVs on Irish roads; a significant step-up is required if Ireland is to achieve its Climate Action Plan EV target.
The former Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport established the Electric Vehicle Policy Pathway Working Group to consider the optimum mix of regulatory, taxation and subsidy policies available to Government to significantly accelerate electric vehicle sales. This Group focused on mechanisms to achieve an immediate increase in EV uptake to attain over 175,000 EVs by 2025 in the line with the Climate Action Plan trajectory and, thereafter, to be well placed to reach full electrification by 2030. In its report, published in September, the Group noted that the UK second hand EV market is an important vector for vehicles entering the Irish fleet.
Matters relating to VRT & other taxation is a matter for which my colleague the Minister for Finance has primary responsibility, and with whom I will be engaging on these issues in preparation for Budget 2023.
I am supportive of all appropriate and proportionate supports for the EV industry providing momentum towards achieving the Government’s emission reduction commitment.
197. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on his Department's public consultation on the review of the sustainable mobility policy; the number of persons and organisations that engaged with the consultation; when a report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17630/22]
View answerA collaborative approach has been taken by my Department in developing the forthcoming Sustainable Mobility Policy, through public consultation and extensive stakeholder and cross-government engagement.
A roundtable forum was held in 2018 which allowed for an initial exchange of views between stakeholders on a variety of issues relevant to the sustainable mobility sector, including potential challenges and competing priorities likely to arise in the future. Over 50 stakeholder organisations and individuals were invited to attend that event, including representatives from passenger and consumer interests; providers of bus, rail and taxi services; providers of transport infrastructure; trade unions with members working in public transport; cyclist and pedestrian advocacy groups; disability representatives; business groups; environmental interests; local authorities; regulators; legislators; policymakers; and analysts and academics who focus on sustainable mobility.
The roundtable discussion informed the development of a comprehensive set of background papers across a range of themes which were then published as part of the public consultation process launched at the end of 2019. A further stakeholder engagement event was held at that time with over 40 stakeholder organisations and individuals, along with engagement with the members of the three Regional Assemblies.
Over 250 submissions across a broad range of themes were received as part of the public consultation process which ended in February 2020, from people and organisations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Following a review of the submissions received, a report of the public consultation was published on my Department’s website and further bilateral engagement has taken place with other government departments, State bodies, advocacy groups, business groups, disability representatives and academics.
Both the submissions received as part of the public consultation process and the extensive stakeholder engagement have significantly influenced the development of the new Sustainable Mobility Policy which will be published in April.
198. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some Ukrainian families are walking along busy roads with children to get to town centres (details supplied) due to the lack of transportation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17639/22]
View answer199. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport when arrangements will be in place for transportation to town centres for those Ukrainian refugees who are located in congregated settings outside town centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17641/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.
As the Deputy is aware, a whole of Government approach is being adopted regarding the Ukrainian crisis. In line with this approach, in my own Department, we have established a high-level group to monitor and respond as appropriate to the crisis and consider the role that the transport sector could play.
In this context, it was agreed that free travel would be provided for newly arriving Ukrainian refugees on any Public Service Obligation (PSO) or Local Link public transport service from port of entry to their end destination. This initiative is being applied across all PSO contracted services, including commercial bus services included in emergency PSO contracts, and those services that are part of the emergency commercial bus operator grant scheme. The situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand. In light of the NTA's responsibilities regarding the provision of Local Link services, I have referred your questions to the NTA for a direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
200. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider extending the recently announced Government support for the haulage sector to address cost pressures arising from current high fuel prices to include own account haulage given that these heavy goods vehicle operators face the same difficulties in terms of rising costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17653/22]
View answerOn 15 March 2022, the Government approved an emergency support measure – the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme to address cost pressures arising from current high fuel prices. I can confirm that the scheme is available only to operators holding a road haulage operator licence.
In deciding on this targeted, temporary scheme, the Government considered that the licensed haulage sector is a specific case for several reasons, primarily that the sector is of national strategic importance as a critical enabler of a functioning supply chain, bringing essential supplies into and around the State, supporting key infrastructure and enabling the maintenance of economic and social activity. While this is true for certain other operators also, fuel represents a greater overall proportion of overhead cost for hauliers than would be the case for other businesses who self-provide transport as part of their wider business.
Given the rapid increase in fuel prices linked to the crisis in Ukraine, the haulage sector reported to the Government a serious risk of cessation of business among haulage companies that would have had significant implications for supply chains into the State, including for essential goods.
You will be aware that on 9 March 2022, in recognition of rising fuel costs for all citizens and businesses, the Government reduced Excise duty by 20 cent per litre of petrol, 15 cent per litre of diesel and 2 cent in the excise duty charged on marked gas oil in order to reduce the cost of fuels.
The Minister for Finance has written to the European Commission to ask what flexibilities might be available on an emergency basis to reduce the tax on fuel. Currently, however, the EU Energy Tax Directive limits the possibility of further reducing the tax on fuel. Specifically, the Directive requires a minimum tax of €0.33 per litre and the measures already decided have reduced the tax on diesel to the minimum.
In general, however, it should be noted that the causes of these fuel price pressures are not within the control of Government and are being directly influenced by external factors, including the Ukraine crisis.
The Government has limited resources but through the Excise measure announced on 9 March, as well as the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme approved on 15 March 2022, it has responded to help to ease the impact of these price increases. However, we must accept that it will not be possible to insulate citizens and businesses from the full impact of these fuel price increases.
201. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the allocation of community improvement scheme funding for 2022. [17665/22]
View answerThe 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 local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
The purpose of the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) is to facilitate local community participation in the repair of local roads. The focus of the programme is on the repair of more lightly trafficked public roads which might not be high on the list of a local authority's annual roadwork programme.
Towards the end of 2021, my Department invited local authorities to submit applications for Community Involvement Schemes (CIS) for another two year programme for the period 2022/2023. While community contributions in the range 15% to 30% had been required up to 2021 depending on the mix between works and monies, the contribution rate has been reduced to a minimum of 10% for monetary contributions and 20% for works contribution for the 2022/2023 round of funding.
On 15th February 2022 I announced the regional and local road allocations for 2022 which includes funding of €15.2 million for the CIS. Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments to local authorities are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
203. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he expects to ensure that the N5 route is sufficiently upgraded to meet traffic levels in the next five years. [17714/22]
View answerAs 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, management and upgrading 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.
204. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the details of the investments or service improvements made on the Dublin-Wexford train line since 1 January 2020. [17715/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Infrastructure Manager Multi-Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway infrastructure, including the Dublin to Wexford Line.
This is the third year of the current five-year IMMAC programme, as approved by Government in 2020, and over the five years of the programme in excess of €1.1billion in Exchequer funding will be made available to support delivery.
Noting Iarnród Éireann's (IÉ) responsibility in this matter and regarding service improvements, I have referred the Deputy's question to IÉ for a direct reply on the specific matters raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
205. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the details of bus stations in County Kildare that are included in the public transport accessibly programme; the type of works planned; and the date for completion of the works. [17716/22]
View answerAs 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.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities, which includes managing the Public Transport Accessibility Programme, 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.
206. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport when Kishogue rail station will open resulting in a local train service for commuters in Lucan, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17795/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann (IÉ), Kishogue station.
I am informed by the NTA that various works need to be undertaken by IÉ before Kishogue Station can be brought into use. It is anticipated that the necessary works will be completed in the latter half of 2022. However, at this stage it is too soon to indicate when the new station will be operational.
207. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport the status of the planned upgrade of the N4 Roosky to Dromod and in particular the bypass of Carrick-on-Shannon. [17820/22]
View answerAs 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 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.
208. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the National Transport Authority in respect of plans for the roads network that link the areas between the M4 and N7, M7 in north County Kildare; his plans to improve this network of roads in view of the high level of use by heavy goods vehicles; if he has engaged with the Minster for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Transport Infrastructure Ireland in the context of the increasing level of residential planning permissions and builds under way in areas such as Clane, Straffan, Maynooth and Celbridge, County Kildare; and if he has initiated a review of the designation of roads in these areas in the context of regional and-or national road status. [17833/22]
View answerIndividual local authorities have statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of public roads, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland in the case of national roads, under the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.
In relation to broader policy decisions, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including county Kildare.
The Deputy will be aware that the NTA published a draft revised Transport Strategy for the GDA 2022-2042 last November for public consultation. The public consultation process ended on 10 January. The development of the strategy and the need for it to be reviewed every six years is a statutory function of the NTA and the process relating to that development and review is set out in section 12 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (as amended). Ultimately a draft strategy will be submitted to me this year for approval as provided for in the Act.
The approved strategy will set out the framework for investment in transport infrastructure and services, including road investment, in the GDA over the next two decades to 2042. The strategy will reflect the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the Climate Action Plan, and the commitments in the National Development Plan.
My Department is actively working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to strengthen the policy links between land use planning and transport planning. In line with an action in the Government's Housing for All plan, a working group has been established to consider opportunities for transport-led development in major urban centres. The working group is made up of my Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the NTA and the Land Development Agency. The group is tasked with identifying potential areas that can be developed off the back of previous and further investment in transport infrastructure.
209. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the reason persons are being asked to submit a public services card when applying online for a driving licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17848/22]
View answerTo apply for or renew your driving licence you are required to provide photographic ID and evidence of your PPSN, address and residency entitlement. When an applicant applies in person at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) office, the required documents can be examined and a face to face verification can be made.
When applying online, the same information is required, but verifying a person’s identity is more difficult. Accordingly, a verified MyGovID account, which requires a Public Service Card (PSC), is used to confirm a person’s identity and image in place of a face-to-face verification.
Legal proceedings, in which the Department of Social Protection appealed an enforcement notice from the Data Protection Commission on processing of personal data for PSCs, were resolved in December 2021.
The agreement reached acknowledges that other public bodies listed in social welfare legislation (“specified bodies”) may use the PSC as a means of verifying the identity of the people they deal with, provided that they also accept other methods of authenticating identity. The NDLS accepts other methods, such as a passport. Details can be found on the NDLS website www.ndls.ie
The agreement also accepted that the Department of Social Protection and other specified bodies can continue to use MyGovID as the sole means of authenticating identity for accessing online services, provided that an alternative service channel is available. The NDLS offices provide this alternative channel.
The Road Safety Authority is a specified body for the use of a PSC under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended by the Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Act 2009).
212. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding has been sought by LocalLink services to allow them provide transport for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17859/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a whole of Government approach is being adopted regarding the Ukrainian crisis. In line with this approach, in my own Department, we have established a high-level group to monitor and respond as appropriate to the crisis and consider the role that the transport sector could play.
In this context, it was agreed that free travel would be provided for newly arriving Ukrainian refugees on any Public Service Obligation (PSO) or Local Link public transport service from port of entry to their end destination. This initiative is being applied across all PSO contracted services, including commercial bus services included in emergency PSO contracts, and those services that are part of the emergency commercial bus operator grant scheme. The situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed at the end of April.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand. In light of the NTA's responsibilities regarding the provision of Local Link services, I have referred your question to the NTA for a direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
213. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport the status of the A5 road transport corridor upgrade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17871/22]
View answerThe New Decade, New Approach agreement re-affirmed the Government’s commitment to the A5 scheme. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver key cross-border infrastructure initiatives, including the A5.
The planning and implementation of the proposed A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. The Northern Ireland Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) initiated Public Inquiry hearings for the scheme which concluded in March 2020 and the interim report was submitted by the Inquiry Inspector in September 2020.
In 2021, the Minister for Infrastructure published the PAC Interim Report. When doing so the Minister indicated her acceptance of the Inspector’s recommendations regarding the preparation of and consultation on further documents on the topics of flood risk and the consideration of alternatives to the proposed scheme. Department of Infrastructure (DfI) officials were asked to prepare a further addendum to the Scheme Environmental Statement for public consultation.
While it had been anticipated that these assessments would have been completed with a view to the Public Inquiry reconvening early in 2021, the timetable has slipped and it is now anticipated that it will be convened later this year and a final report will be available early 2023.
The Government is committed to providing funding of £75 million (sterling) towards the cost of phase 1a of the A5 upgrade scheme once the statutory planning process in Northern Ireland has been concluded.
215. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he has contacted the Minister for Justice about Garda vetting delays for new workers in Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17905/22]
View answerNew security processes have been in place since the start of the year to support the implementation of new European regulatory requirements for conducting enhanced background checks on aviation personnel.
The processing times associated with the new security process have been challenging for industry and I have written to the Minister for Justice informing her of the difficulties this is causing and asking that her Department engage with An Garda Síochána to improve turnaround times. I understand that additional personnel have been assigned to the necessary processing areas in An Garda Síochána to manage the increased level of demand. I also understand from that the numbers awaiting security vetting have reduced considerably in recent weeks.
My Department has regularly engaged with industry on the issue and will continue to closely monitor the situation.
216. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport when an application for a driver licence transfer will be processed for a person (details supplied). [18078/22]
View answerAll enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service, the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority under the relevant legislation. My Department does not have access to individual applications.
217. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the funding streams that are available to invest in infrastructure to improve access for persons with physical disabilities and mobility impairments to offshore islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18127/22]
View answerWhile it is not under the remit of the Department of Transport, it is an objective of this Government to provide the necessary supports for our off-shore islands so that those communities can continue to live, and thrive, on the islands. The Department of Rural and Community Development manages a large suite of transport contracts that provide reliable and affordable mainland connectivity for island residents and visitors.
The development of quayside infrastructure, on the mainland and the islands, to cater for transport services users, including those of reduced mobility, falls under the remit of the local authorities. They are responsible for installing slipways, pontoons and quayside structures so that users can board and alight from passenger boats in a safe and dignified manner.
The Department of Rural and Community Development provides funding for these types of developments and recently increased the allocation for Capital works on the islands from €2.64m in 2021, to €4.64m for 2022.
This increase will enable the Minister of Rural and Community Development to approve an expanded works programme this year, which will include the annual programme for Minor Capital Works on the offshore islands, co-funded by the relevant Local Authorities.
The Department of Rural and Community Development is very aware of the challenges facing those of reduced mobility when using our subsidised transport services, and is currently engaging with service providers to explore options so that all users of these services can board and alight from a ferry safely with ease.
