Written Answers Nos. 93-112
93. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding provided in 2023, 2024 and 2025 to purchase extra LUAS carriages; and when these new carriages will come into operation, in tabular form. [20506/23]
View answerThe funding allocation for B5 Public Transport Investment for 2023 is €876.5m and is available to view on gov.ie - The Revised Estimates Volumes for the Public Service (www.gov.ie).
Capital funding in 2023 is allocated to the following programmes: accessibility retrofit programme; bus programme; heavy rail investment; infrastructure manager multi-annual contract (heavy rail); light rail (Luas and Metro); and the ticketing and technology programme. The allocations are agreed with the relevant agencies at the beginning of the year but are subject to change.
The National Development Plan 2021 - 2030 indicates total funding to the Department of Transport for 2024 and 2025 as follows:
|
2024 €m |
2025 €m |
|
2,664 |
2,665 |
The allocation for B5 Public Transport Investment for the years 2024 and 2025 will be decided during the annual Estimates process and published in the Revised Estimates Volumes for each year.
With regard to light rail, there is no allocation in 2023 for the purchase of new Luas carriages. The Green Line Capacity Enhancement project, which was completed in 2021, provided eight additional trams for the Green Line fleet and extended 26 existing trams from 43 metres to 55 metres, adding approximately 30% additional capacity to the route.
94. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the names of major international airlines and-or airline groups with whom he had bilateral meetings with senior officials in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [20507/23]
View answerThe information requested is set out in the following table.
|
Date |
Organisation |
|
19/03/2021 |
Deputy Duffy & IALPA (Irish Air Line Pilots Association) |
|
22/04/2021 |
Ryanair regarding hotel quarantine |
|
23/04/2021 |
Aer Lingus regarding hotel quarantine |
|
18/05/2021 |
Aer Lingus |
|
19/05/2021 |
Minister Naughton & Aer Lingus |
|
05/07/2021 |
Minister Naughton & Aer Lingus |
|
30/07/2021 |
Aer Lingus |
|
31/05/2022 |
Aer Lingus |
|
08/07/2022 |
Airlines for America |
|
13/07/2022 |
Ryanair |
|
14/07/2022 |
Aer Lingus |
|
01/12/2022 |
Ryanair |
95. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the Railway Safety (Amendment) Bill; and when this Bill will move to the next Stage. [20508/23]
View answerMy Department is engaged with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in relation to the formal drafting of the Railway Safety (Amendment) Bill and the objective is to have the Bill published and progressed this year.
96. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the up-to-date position regarding the installation of the necessary technology to accept debit and credit cards for payment on the Dublin Bus fleet. [20509/23]
View answerAs 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 ticketing technology.
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.
97. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the current status of a safe routes application for a school (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20514/23]
View answerIn March 2021, I launched the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme which will support Active Travel infrastructure for selected schools around the country. The programme aims to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools and to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities. This will help alleviate congestion at school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure.
931 applications were received from schools across every county in Ireland. 170 schools were notified on 21st June 2021 that they were selected for inclusion in the first round of the SRTS Programme, with a further 108 schools included in Round 2. The Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority (NTA) and is supported by the Department of Education. An Taisce’s Green-Schools is coordinating the programme, while funding will be made available to local authorities who will play a key part in delivering the infrastructure along access routes and at the school gate.
I am aware that the school referred to in the Deputy's question has submitted an application under the Safe Routes to School Programme but was not selected for inclusion in the first 2 rounds. Given the nature of the programme, all 931 schools who applied will enter the programme on a rolling basis and there will be no requirement for those schools to reapply.
98. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport when additional electric vehicle charging points will be provided in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the locations that will have such charging points provided in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20557/23]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network over the coming years. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Home charging is the primary charging method for most Irish EV owners as it’s convenient and cheaper for the consumer as well as assisting in the overall management of the national grid. Over 80% of charging is expected to happen at home.
However, there is also a need for a seamless public charging network that will provide for situations or instances where home charging is not possible, such as on-street and residential charging, destination charging and workplace charging.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI), a dedicated Office which oversees and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles, has significant funding available in 2023 for the installation of EV charging across Ireland.
In January, I launched the national Strategy for the development of EV charging infrastructure, covering the crucial period out to 2025, alongside an Implementation Plan. The strategy sets out the government’s ambition regarding the delivery of a public EV charging network to support up to 195,000 electric cars and vans by the middle of the decade.
A range of new charging infrastructure schemes are being developed which will help provide another critical link in the overall network for public charging.
A new Residential Neighbourhood Charging Scheme will be launched by ZEVI for Local Authorities to provide EV charging for residents without access off street parking. This EV charging will be designed to mimic home charging and will incentivise off-peak charging in a location convenient to the resident’s home. In addition to this we will be working with local authorities to support them creating local charging plans to be rolled out in the coming years
Destination Charging will be a strong priority for ZEVI in 2023.
Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland launched a new destination charging scheme, the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme, at the end of January to support the installation of fast electric vehicle chargers into sports clubs. The scheme aims to install 150 - 200 chargers into local communities providing a network of fast chargers across the island. It has been developed on an all-island basis in partnership with Sports Ireland and its recognised National Governing Bodies as well as in collaboration with the ESB Networks and Northern Ireland Electric and the commercial sector. The Scheme is funded to the value of €15m by the Shared Island Fund.
Two other destination charging schemes are in development.
In addition to schemes directly launched by ZEVI, there is a strong growth in the provision of private sector charging projects which aim to facilitate charging at all levels, from Destination and residential to ultra-rapid and high-powered charging, such as is required along major routes and for heavy duty vehicles.
With an investment of €10m from the Climate Action Fund and a matching €10M from ESB, ESB ecars are rolling out fast charging hubs and fast charge points across the country. Their programme is as follows:
- 50 charging “hubs” throughout Ireland which can charge between 3-8 vehicles simultaneously, 23 of which have been delivered
- Replacing 50 existing standard chargers with fast chargers, 40 of which have been delivered
- Replacement of over 200 other standard to increase reliability of service
Public EV charge points are provided in Ireland by a number of charge point operators on a commercial basis. ZEVI is engaging with these charge point operators as key stakeholders in the delivery and roll-out of fast charging points across the country.
99. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20558/23]
View answerIrish driver licensing operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The format of licences, categories of vehicles and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence are set at EU level. Therefore, all EU-issued licences are recognised in Member States.
Ireland may make bilateral licence exchange agreements with non-EU jurisdictions. Such agreements can be made only when the authorities in both jurisdictions have studied and compared the licensing regimes and each side is satisfied that they are compatible.
Ireland has a driving licence exchange agreement with Australia, and an Australian licence may be exchanged for an Irish licence. However, as per that agreement, an Australian licence issued in exchange for a licence from a third country that Ireland does not have an exchange agreement with cannot be exchanged for an Irish licence, as the licensing regime of the third country has not been examined to ensure that it reaches the required standards for issuing an Irish licence.
This also applies to recognition of EU licences. When a third country licence is exchanged for a Member State licence, such a licence is not recognised here for exchange if Ireland does not have an exchange agreement with the third country.
A person with a full but non-exchangeable licence is required to go through the normal driver learning process, but they can avail of the shorter Essential Driver Training of 6 lessons instead of the usual 12, and do not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.
100. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport if he will support a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20567/23]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
101. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Transport if the case of a person (details supplied) will be resolved. [20587/23]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases. I have therefore referred the Deputy's Question 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.
102. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the number of people traveling to the UK from Ireland by air and by sea on an annual basis in 2020, 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20626/23]
View answerAccording to CSO Aviation Statistics, the following figures show the number of passengers travelling from Ireland to the UK through the 5 main Irish airports by year (Dublin, Cork, Shannon, Kerry, Knock).
|
Year |
Air Passengers |
|
2020 |
1,553,200 |
|
2021 |
1,359,500 |
|
2022 |
5,134,000 |
These aviation statistics are compiled from data supplied by all Irish airports and include scheduled and non-scheduled flights. The term 'scheduled' refers to a commercial air service operated according to a published timetable, or with such a regular frequency that it constitutes an easily recognisable systematic series of flights, while the term 'non-scheduled' refers to a commercial air service other than scheduled air service (e.g., chartered or private aircraft flights).
A main airport is defined as an airport through which in excess of 150,000 passengers fly per annum.
Separate CSO statistics show annual air and sea travel from Ireland to Great Britain statistics as follows.
|
Year |
Air & Sea Passengers |
|
2020 |
1,855,000 |
|
2021 |
1,756,200 |
|
2022 |
5,990,500 |
These air and sea travel statistics are compiled primarily from data provided by the DAA (Cork and Dublin airports), together with data from other airports and sea ferry operators and, in the case of departures, refer to all people embarking at the airports in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Knock, Shannon or Waterford or the seaports in Dublin, Dun Laoghaire, Ringaskiddy or Rosslare for destinations not on the island of Ireland. Transfer passengers are included while domestic air passengers and cruise passengers are excluded. Furthermore, statistics also exclude airline and vessel crew, domestic air travel, flights to Northern Ireland, and commercial drivers on sea routes.
The statistics in these two releases are not fully aligned. The differences in passenger numbers which are typically less than 0.5%, arise because the Air and Sea Travel statistics exclude transit passengers, domestic air travel, flights to Northern Ireland, and commercial drivers on sea routes.
Thus, the following figures could be inferred.
|
Year |
Air Passengers |
Sea Passengers |
|
2020 |
1,553,200 |
301,800 |
|
2021 |
1,359,500 |
396,700 |
|
2022 |
5,133,800 |
856,700 |
103. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the reason the 15B from stop 493 was listed on the TFI app as cancelled after two stops on 22 April 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20650/23]
View answerAs 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 in relation to the TFI App is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.
105. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the bus ticket pricing structure in place for bus services between Cork and the various stops across County Cork; how the ticket prices are determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20816/23]
View answerAs 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 the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question in relation to the bus ticket pricing structure in place for bus services between Cork and the various stops across County Cork along with how the ticket prices are determined, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
106. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance to confirm why there is a discrepancy in the figures provided in response to two different parliamentary questions (details supplied) in respect of the percentage of total packs of cigarettes sold that contain more than 20 cigarettes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20976/23]
View answer118. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 26 February 2019, the reason the data differs from that given in the answer to Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 21 March 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20660/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 118 together.
I am informed by Revenue that the reason for the difference in the data provided in Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 26 February 2019 and Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 21 March 2023 is due to the former providing the percentage of the total number of individual cigarettes sold in packs of 20 units and packs exceeding 20 units while the latter provided the total number of cigarettes packs sold as containing 20 units and containing in excess of 20 units.
For clarity, Revenue have provided both sets of the data in the tables below.
Data provided in Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 26 February 2019, which was based on individual cigarettes:
|
- |
Pack Size |
Pack Size |
|
Year |
20 cigarettes |
>20 cigarettes |
|
2009 |
100.00% |
0.00% |
|
2010 |
100.00% |
0.00% |
|
2011 |
100.00% |
0.00% |
|
2012 |
95.50% |
4.50% |
|
2013 |
88.90% |
11.10% |
|
2014 |
89.90% |
10.10% |
|
2015 |
86.80% |
13.20% |
|
2016 |
81.50% |
18.50% |
|
2017 |
79.80% |
20.20% |
|
2018 |
77.30% |
22.70% |
Data provided in Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 21 March 2023, which was based on cigarette packs:
|
- |
Data provided in Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 21 March 2023 |
Additional data to aid comparison with Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 26 February 2019 |
|||
|
Year |
20 Pack (000’s) |
> 20 Pack (000’s) |
Total Pack (000s) |
20 Pack (%) |
> 20 Pack (%) |
|
2013 |
142,231 |
15,344 |
157,575 |
90.30% |
9.70% |
|
2014 |
142,193 |
13,288 |
155,481 |
91.50% |
8.50% |
|
2015 |
143,129 |
16,992 |
160,121 |
89.40% |
10.60% |
|
2016 |
118,385 |
21,190 |
139,576 |
84.80% |
15.20% |
|
2017 |
141,537 |
27,156 |
168,693 |
83.90% |
16.10% |
|
2018 |
69,111 |
14,826 |
83,937 |
82.30% |
17.70% |
|
2019 |
88,322 |
23,440 |
111,762 |
79.00% |
21.00% |
|
2020 |
101,446 |
21,547 |
122,993 |
82.50% |
17.50% |
|
2021 |
84,365 |
25,403 |
109,768 |
76.90% |
23.10% |
|
2022 |
69,287 |
18,375 |
87,662 |
79.00% |
21.00% |
107. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, in place to abolish the universal social charge, which was brought in as a temporary measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20396/23]
View answer108. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has considered abolishing the universal social charge for occupational pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20397/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together.
The Universal Social Charge (USC) was designed and incorporated into the Irish taxation system in 2011 to replace two other charges, namely the Health and Income Levies. The primary purpose of the USC was to widen the tax base and to provide a steady income to the Exchequer to provide funding for public services.
The USC is an individualised tax, meaning that a person’s liability to the tax is determined on the basis of his/her own individual income and personal circumstances. The USC is applied at a low rate on a wide base, which ensures that it is a stable and sustainable source of revenue for the State.
It is important to point out that in 2016, joint Department of Finance/Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) research found that USC represented a more stable form of revenue than income tax. The findings highlighted that USC revenues would fluctuate by less than income tax revenues whenever income is volatile, for example where the economy moves from a boom into a bust. Given the openness of the Irish economy and consequent susceptibility to economic shocks, the contribution that the USC makes to the stability of the State’s revenue sources is considerable.
The USC yield is c. €5 billion and if the USC were to be abolished it would be necessary to generate this yield from alternative sources.
USC does not apply to social welfare payments, such as the contributory and non-contributory State Pensions. In addition, currently individuals with incomes of less than €13,000 are exempt from USC, which can include modest occupational pensions. Therefore, an individual in receipt of a State Pension and an occupational pension of €13,000 can have a total income of almost €27,000 in 2023 and incur no USC liability.
For 2023, it is estimated that 1,138,500 tax payer units (35 per cent of total) will be exempt from USC.
Ireland has one of the most progressive personal income tax systems in the world, which plays a crucial role in the process of income redistribution. Our redistributive tax system has been acknowledged by the IMF, the OECD and the ESRI. In my view, a broad-based, progressive income tax system, where the majority of income earners make some contribution but according to their means, is the most fair and sustainable income tax system in the long term.
As such, for the reasons outlined, I have no plans to abolish the USC, either in general or for income from occupational pensions.
109. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he aspires to have any major European Union or United Nations institutions headquartered in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19629/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, on March 28 I announced Ireland’s intention to declare its interest in hosting the new EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (“AMLA”).
AMLA will be a significant EU institution, tasked with supervision – either directly or jointly with national supervisors – of entities in the financial services sector in the first instance, but eventually also in the non-financial sector. The supervision will be in respect of the entities’ compliance with anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism rules and standards (AMLCFT). The institution is due to be established in 2024, although it is not expected to be fully operational until 2026/2027.
AMLA will be established on foot of an EU Regulation that was published in July 2021 and expected to be finally adopted by the EU, later this year. It will oversee implementation, by obliged entities, of the new EU “Rulebook” on AMLCFT matters and is expected to provide harmonised guidance and regulatory technical standards to national supervisors.
AMLA will acquire the AMLCFT competences of the European Banking Authority and will also host the secure communications network for the EU member States’ national Financial Intelligence Units (in Ireland, this is a division of An Garda Síochána), which is currently maintained by Interpol.
I believe Ireland is an ideal location for this important new EU authority. We have a significant financial services sector, built over decades, that will be subject to AMLA’s direction and the new AMLCFT Rulebook. Within that sector, there is robust AMLCFT compliance which will be further enhanced by the implementation of the new EU rule book. Furthermore, within our labour force, we have all the skills and experience necessary to establish AMLA and to ensure it operates to high standards.
Ireland also has strong collaborative relations with our EU partners, the European Commission and the global AMLCFT standard setter – the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). We have a reputation for solid administration and governance and a unique perspective on AMLCFT issues, as the last fully common law jurisdiction in the EU.
I look forward to making the case for Ireland as an ideal location for AMLA with my European counterparts over the coming months.
It is worth noting that Ireland already hosts an EU Agency. The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) was established in 1975 and provides research-based input for the development of social, employment and work-related policies. This agency employs 100 staff.
In relation to UN bodies or Agencies, I am informed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs that there are currently no plans to locate the headquarters of a UN body or agency in Ireland. A number of UN agencies do of course already have Irish offices.
110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to widening the TBESS to assist businesses with energy costs who have attempted to apply for the TBESS but are encountering significant difficulties due to sharing one meter between a number of businesses, and whose bills are divided by the landlord for each cycle depending on their unit size, particularly in business campuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20445/23]
View answerThe Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) was introduced in Finance Act 2022 to support qualifying businesses with increases in their electricity or natural gas costs arising from the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
The scheme provides support to qualifying businesses in respect of energy costs relating to the period from 1 September 2022 to 30 April 2023. However, following enactment of changes proposed in Finance Bill 2023, which have received State aid approval, this period is to be extended to cover energy costs up to 31 May 2023. TBESS is available to tax compliant businesses carrying on a trade or profession the profits of which are chargeable to tax under Case I or Case II of Schedule D where they meet the eligibility criteria.
The TBESS legislation provides, in respect of the metered supply of electricity or gas, that the electricity or gas bill should be provided or made available by an electricity or gas supplier to an eligible business. The legislation also requires that the electricity account or gas connection should be held by the eligible business who uses or consumes the electricity or gas.
A business that does not hold an energy account, and therefore does not receive bills directly from an energy supplier, will not be able to make a claim for payments under the TBESS because the business does not meet the qualifying criteria.
Businesses can find more information about the TBESS on the Revenue website (revenue.ie/en/starting-a-business/tbess/index.aspx) and can register for and make a claim under the scheme using Revenue’s Online Service (ROS).
111. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of abolishing stamp duty for first-time buyers of homes costing less than €425,000. [20510/23]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that based on stamp duty returns for 2022, the latest year for which fully analysed data are available, the estimated cost of abolishing stamp duty for first-time buyers of homes of less than €425k is in the order of €40 million.
This estimate is arrived at by taking the stamp duty returns for residential property purchases made by persons identifying themselves as first-time buyers where the consideration was less than the suggested threshold and taking the associated tax liability as the potential cost of exempting them from the duty.
112. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Finance how much of the betting levy has been distributed to the League of Ireland and an association (details supplied) in the previous three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20542/23]
View answerThe Deputy should note that all receipts from betting duty go to the Exchequer. There is no distribution of betting duty revenue to any sporting organisation.
Allocations to sport and to sporting organisations is determined through the annual estimates process and is a matter for my colleagues, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
