Written Answers Nos. 234-257
234. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the number of passengers carried by Iarnród Éireann on the Ennis-Limerick-Ennis and Ennis-Galway-Ennis services during 2019, 2021 and 2022 and during the first six months of 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37188/23]
View answerAs the 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 of the annual number of passengers carried by Iarnród Éireann on the Ennis-Limerick and the Ennis-Galway routes from 2019 to 2023 is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
235. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport the number of air passengers at Shannon, Cork and Dublin Airports in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and during the first six months of 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37189/23]
View answerStatistics on passenger numbers at Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports for 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and the first six months of 2023 are set out in the table below.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 (January - June) |
|
Dublin |
32,911,227 |
7,385,704 |
8,455,325 |
28,085,562 |
15,785,889 |
|
Cork |
2,590,262 |
530,392 |
258,802 |
2,240,457 |
1,292,284 |
|
Shannon |
1,717,515 |
352,403 |
379,935 |
1,518,170 |
902,603 |
|
Total |
37,219,004 |
8,268,499 |
9,094,062 |
31,844,189 |
17,980,776 |
Statistics on passenger numbers are compiled and published by the Department on the government website on a quarterly basis.
The figures above are provided to the Department directly by each airport and are subject to change.
236. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport what plans are in place to introduce real-time signage at Bus Éireann stops in Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37196/23]
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 the provision of bus stop signage.
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.
237. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport to ask the NTA to install real-time signage at its bus stop at Beresford Place, Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37197/23]
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 the provision of bus stop signage.
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.
238. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if the decision to withdraw a disabled parking permit from a person (details supplied) will be reviewed given that the person’s disability is long-term and previously satisfied the medical criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37211/23]
View answerThe Disabled Parking Scheme is administered by the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association on my Department's behalf. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the day-to-day processing of applications or appeals and I cannot comment on individual cases. The Deputy should bring this matter to the direct attention of the issuing body in question.
239. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37217/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has 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 TFI Local Link services and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for new and enhanced public transport services under Connecting Ireland, including services in Sneem, County Kerry, 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.
240. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driving test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37222/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the powers to intervene in individual cases.
I would like to assure you that my Department is working closely with the Authority on addressing the driver testing waiting times, which is an issue of great concern across the state.
The Authority has reviewed the demand and capacity of the driver testing service and following a request for additional resources in March 2023, my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 driver testers. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to just over 200.
The recruitment is well underway and being managed by the Authority. It is expected that once these additional driver testers are trained and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will start to reduce from October 2023. The additional testers will be assigned to fill current vacancies and otherwise allocated to centres with the highest demand for tests.
Expedited tests are only available to applicants who are employed by the HSE, a private hospital or the emergency services where the candidate would need to drive as part of their job (not including commuting to their place of work). Information on who can apply for an emergency test is available at: www.rsa.ie/services/learner-drivers/the-driving-test/faqs
241. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport to investigate an incident on board a Bus Éireann service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37226/23]
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 by the Deputy in relation to an incident on board a Bus Éireann service is an operational matter for Bus Éireann.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
242. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of a roads project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37228/23]
View answer243. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport for an update on a bypass road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37229/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
As 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.
I can confirm that €100,000 has been allocated for the N22 Farranfore to Killarney scheme in 2023. The scheme remains in the NDP, and as with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for the project will be kept under review for 2024 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct update as to the latest status of this project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
244. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if serious consideration will be given to opening a new NCT testing centre (details supplied) in east Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37244/23]
View answerThe operation of the National Car Testing Service 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.
245. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport his views on taxi plates being rented in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37248/23]
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 Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016.
While I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV industry, the NTA has informed me that a vehicle is licensed to operate anywhere in the country. There are many multiple vehicle licence holders that rent licensed vehicles to drivers and that vehicle may be operated anywhere within the State. SPSV Regulations permit a vehicle licence owner to rent out or lease the insured and licensed taxi, hackney or limousine to another person with or without actual money changing hands.
The vehicle licence owner providing the rental package must be the registered owner of the vehicle (or be entitled to use it as an SPSV for a minimum period of 12 months), have the vehicle licensed in their name, and must provide the insurance on the vehicle. That is normally included in the rental fee to the licensed driver. This licence holder is the only party the NTA may engage with in respect of SPSV licensing activity. The SPSV licence holder providing the rental must notify NTA of the rental, either using NTA’s online system, or by calling the SPSV Information Line on 0818 064 000.
246. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport to provide the number of cancellations on the Bus Éireann route from Donegal to Dublin over the past six months; and the reason for each cancellation, in tabular form. [37271/23]
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 by the deputy in relation to the number of cancellations on the Bus Éireann route from Donegal to Dublin over the past six months, and the reason for each cancellation, is an operational matter for Bus Éireann.
I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
247. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the programme for Government commitment to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37274/23]
View answerThe new target under the Climate Action Plan is to have 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030 (i.e. 845,000 private EV target).
The key change is instead of simply targeting a minimum number of cars, we are focused more on making a large amount of the overall private car fleet electric. The 2023 Climate Action Plan places electric vehicles within a greater framework of our national transport infrastructure, with a focus on other sustainable methods of transport other than private car ownership.
Fleet electrification is expected to continue to provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the short-to-medium term. Detailed modelling was undertaken to inform the Transport chapter of the Climate Action Plan 2023, which considered 2025 and 2030 scenarios as reference years, in accordance with the carbon budget programmes. Fleet forecasts have been estimated using the Irish Car Fleet Model that assesses the impact of new vehicle technologies on carbon emissions. The model predicts how the proportion of fuel types (petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric) within the fleet will change over time using observed vehicle registration and scrappage rates by age and fuel type.
The new EU Regulation on CO2 Emissions for Cars and Lights Vans, which was finalised in March 2023, is crucial part of the Transport Sector’s transition to carbon neutrality. Emissions from road transport constitute the single largest portion of overall transport emissions and therefore tackling this is central to achieving our overall targets. The new Regulation accelerates the timeframes for zero emissions for cars and light vans, introducing 2035 as the year by which there must be 100% CO2 reduction in both new cars and vans. Ireland is among a number of more ambitious Member States that argued for more stringent targets, calling for the end to the ICE sales by 2030. However, in order to secure agreement amongst all Member States and with the European Parliament, the date of 2035 was agreed.
At the behest of Ireland and other ambitious Member States, the CION will present a proposal to allow those MSs that wish to do so to introduce more ambitious domestic targets than contained in the Reg, to allow them to set earlier dates for the ending of the supply of ICE vehicles. This is expected to be ready in 2024.
The Government has already committed significant funding to support low emitting vehicles through the National Development Plan, which currently includes an allocation of almost €500 million for the period 2021-2025 and additional support from the Climate Action Fund. This funding includes both capital grants to support the purchase of EVs and capital funding for the delivery of EV charging infrastructure.
In July 2022, I launched a new dedicated Office, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland, which will oversee and accelerate Ireland’s transition to zero emission vehicles. A suite of new of grants and initiatives have been launched with further information available at: www.gov.ie/zevi
Further funding has been allocated in 2023 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles. This underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all. This funding will continue to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles as well as enabling the expansion of a fast and rapid electric vehicle charging network to stay ahead of demand.
There are currently over 102,000 EVs registered on Irish roads (end August 2023). That number is expected to increase as the price of EVs continue to fall relative to their combustion engine equivalents. It is expected that as manufacturers increasingly ramp up EV production, upfront costs will become more comparable to traditional combustion engine cars within the next number of years. This will make total cost of ownership much more attractive and competitive, particularly given fuel prices trends. There is also far more choice available across all major car manufacturers and this is driving increased competition on price.
248. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if any works are planned to be carried out in an area (details supplied). [37284/23]
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 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 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.
249. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport when the A spine of the Dublin BusConnects programme will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37289/23]
View answerAs 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 Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
250. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37307/23]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the powers to intervene in individual cases.
I would like to assure you that my Department is working closely with the Authority on addressing the driver testing waiting times, which is an issue of great concern across the state. The service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand due to a number of factors including an increase in learner permits in circulation, increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test and an increase in Approved Driving Instructors' capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers.
The Authority has reviewed the demand and capacity of the driver testing service and following a request for additional resources in March 2023, my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 driver testers. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to just over 200.
The recruitment is well underway and being managed by the Authority. It is expected that once these additional driver testers are trained and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will start to reduce from October 2023. The additional testers will be assigned to fill current vacancies and otherwise allocated to centres with the highest demand for tests.
251. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a Local Link service will be offered to residents who are living in the rural areas of Beaufort, Killarney (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37308/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has 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 TFI Local Link services and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for new and enhanced public transport services under Connecting Ireland, 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.
252. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the refurbishment of Kishogue train station, County Dublin; when it will be in operation; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37343/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the development and implementation of rail infrastructure such as Kishogue train station.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputies questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issue raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
253. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the reason or reasons for the high driving test waiting time (details supplied) in Killarney, County Kerry; what plans have been put in place to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37379/23]
View answer260. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport his plans to clear the backlog in Tralee and Killarney for driving tests (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37526/23]
View answer264. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport for an update on driving tests (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37598/23]
View answer268. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37602/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 253, 260, 264 and 268 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the operation of the National Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the information requested relating to driver testing centres in County Kerry is held by that agency.
I have therefore referred those specific 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.
On the broader issue of delays I would like to assure the Deputy that my officials and I are taking the issue very seriously and are working closely with the RSA to address it, which is negatively impacting many across the state.
The service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which has increased by 28% compared with 2021 figures. In response to these pressures, the earlier this year the RSA reviewed the capacity of the service and, following a request for additional resources, my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to just over 200.
This recruitment is well underway and being managed by the Authority. However, a recruitment campaign of this size takes time. It is expected that once these additional testers are trained and deployed the backlog for driver testing services will be actively managed such that agreed service levels resume and wait times begin to decline. I have been advised by the Authority that the first newly recruited testers should be deployed in late September.
The additional testers will be assigned to fill current vacancies and otherwise allocated to centres with the highest demand for tests.
254. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37384/23]
View answerI am fully committed to strengthening public transport offerings and progressively making them accessible for all, especially for Disabled People, Persons with Disabilities, Persons with Reduced Mobility and Older People.
In line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), I am working with the agencies under my Department to progressively making public transport accessible, including in rural areas, by ensuring that
1. new infrastructure and services are accessible from the start, and
2. retrofitting older (legacy) infrastructure and facilities to make them accessible.
This requires a 'whole journey approach' which refers to all elements that constitute a journey from the starting point to destination . It also means applying the principles of Universal Design. The Department of Transport funds the ring fenced Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit Programme, managed by the NTA, which includes programmes to install accessible bus stops in rural and regional areas, to upgrade bus bays at regional bus and train stations, to upgrade train stations to make them accessible to wheelchair users, and to increase the number of wheelchair accessible taxis, €18m has been allocated to this programme in 2023.
Similarly, lifts out of service in train stations, significantly impact disabled people, and older people who rely on properly functioning lifts to enable them to access rail services. Irish Rail is continuing its programme to refurbish and replace lifts at 52 stations across the network.
In terms of existing services, over 95% of passenger trips across the TFI Local Link network of rural transport services are accessible. Additionally, all vehicles contracted for the delivery of rural transport services must now be wheelchair accessible from the commencement date, previously there was a two year lead in period.
I acknowledge the important role that transport plays in all of our lives and I am acutely aware of the concerns in relation to making public transport accessible for all. The Department, NTA and public transport operators are committed to working together with other relevant Departments and agencies to continue making public transport accessible for all.
255. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport when hydrotreated vegetable oil will be accessible by the general public in service stations; if he has plans to implement this in order to reach our climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37411/23]
View answerHVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) is a drop in bioliquid which can replace fossil diesel up to 100%, with GHG reduction benefits. When used in transport the HVO is referred to as biofuel.
HVO is expected to meet a large proportion of the increase in biofuel supply to decarbonise the transport sector in the short-terms as a transition measure. It is understood that some fuel suppliers have recently started to provide a small number of HVO only pumps at service stations where it is commercial to do so, catering mainly for HDV refuelling.
The supply of renewable energy in transport consumption generally is mandated in Ireland through the renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) on fuel suppliers. HVO used in transport which fulfils EU criteria for sustainability and GHG reduction is eligible for RTFO certificates, for each megajoule of renewable energy supplied, which can be counted against the obligation. The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) administers the obligation which is currently set at a rate of 17% by energy as a proportion of total road transport fossil fuel supply.
Obligated parties (fuel suppliers) have a variety of methods to meet the obligation, incentivising a competitive market action to deliver increased renewables in transport, e.g., Bioethanol in petrol, Biodiesel (FAME) or HVO in diesel. HVO supply can count towards the blending obligation, and the transport 2030 decarbonisation target, whether it is sold blended with petrol or diesel, or as 100% HVO.
To further incentivise the supply of HVO in the transport sector in 2023 renewable transport fuel regulations were introduced to allow the award by the NORA of additional RTFO certificates for supply of HVO in the transport sector.
Supporting the supply of renewable energy in transport, the Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2023-2025 sets out an indicative trajectory of annual increase in the blending obligation rate as the pathway to the achievement of the Climate Action Plan biofuel target based upon an E10 (up to 10% ethanol) in petrol and B20 (20% biodiesel equivalent) in diesel by 2030. As currently agreed by Government, I have no plans to review the policy or the biofuel target as set out in the climate action plan until at least 2025.
The Biofuel Study Report 2022 estimates that there will be sufficient HVO supply to meet the projected transport consumption demand for renewable fuel to 2030 under the Climate Action Plan target. However, the Study also recommends safeguarding against risk of biofuel fraud, in light of the already ambitious domestic biofuel targets, through a robust implementation of EU sustainability oversight requirements on biofuel supply. The Study also recommends the acceleration of electrification in transport in line with Climate Action Plan targets, and consideration of higher targets for supply of more advanced biofuels, as well as implementing targets for renewable fuels of non-biological origin such as green hydrogen.
Any future review of the CAP biofuel 2030 target for transport decarbonisation will take account of technological developments in zero emission and renewable fuels. My Department is currently consulting on an electric charging infrastructure strategy as a priority. A revision of the National Planning Framework for alternative fuels is also commencing this year, which will address new European alternative fuel infrastructure requirements.
256. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has ever authorised an aircraft carrying cluster munitions to transit through Irish airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37452/23]
View answerMy officials have assessed records from 2003 to date and determined that there were no identified instances where an application was processed and exemption granted, under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, for the carriage of cluster munitions on civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory.
257. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport the reason for capital expenditure running €212 million behind profile, as outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37477/23]
View answerThe table below sets out the expenditure compared to profile to end Q2 2023 and represents the broad picture at the end of Q2, prior to the publication of the Mid-Year Expenditure Report.
|
Programme |
2023 Budget (€m) |
End Q2 Profile (€m) |
End Q2 Outturn (€m) |
|
A - Active Travel and Greenways |
356.024 |
42.806 |
41.264 |
|
B - Carbon Reduction and Public Transport |
1,007.720 |
408.170 |
236.719 |
|
C - Road Networks and Road Safety |
1,228.550 |
264.847 |
239.479 |
|
D - Civil Aviation |
19.774 |
0.061 |
0.052 |
|
E - Maritime Transport and Safety |
10.186 |
1.518 |
0.418 |
As the table demonstrates, the bulk of the underspend to end Q2 is related to delays in public transport investment. The reasons for the underspend are set out below.
• The contract award for the signalling element of the Cork Commuter Rail project was signed on 30th June, delaying payment by circa two months .
• A second milestone payment for DART+ fleet is due in Q3 to bring expenditure back on profile.
• Expected Kishoge station works deferred by a short period.
• A delay in the procurement process for the Client Partner contract for MetroLink. This contract was signed in Q2 and expenditure is expected to get back on profile.
• Delays in works for the BusConnects depot electrification programme. Work has begun in Summerhill and expenditure is expected to return to profile.
• Delays in the payments for new bus fleet.?The fleet is expected to be tested and begin entering service this year and expenditure should increase by year end.
The balance of the underspend primarily relates to national roads construction and development. At the end of 2022 TII was holding excess cash in its reserves, which has depressed the demand for drawdown of capital in 2023. While not impacting the progress of projects it is causing mismatches between forecast capital requirements and drawdown.
My Department will shortly bring the Q2 capital memo to cabinet, which will provide a detailed overview of the investment progress to end Q2 2023.
