Emer Higgins
Question:61. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the implementation of a full W6 route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43038/23]
View answerPublic Transport
Questions (61)
Written answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. There have been significant developments in relation to bus transport 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 Dublin.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects Dublin.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions in relation to the areas raised to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Traffic Management
Questions (62)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:62. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Transport if there are uniform guidelines or matrixes for local authorities on traffic management and calming measures and their implementation in housing estates; if not, if he plans to introduce them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43041/23]
View answerWritten answers
All works carried out on the public road network must be in compliance with the framework of guidelines and standards as approved by the National Guidelines and Standards Group (NGSG). This includes guidelines produced by the National Transport Authority (NTA), Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and my Department.
As part of these guidelines, key publications include the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS) and the Traffic Management Guidelines (TMG). Both documents set out requirements in relation to urban road and street design, traffic calming and traffic management. In implementing these guidelines all works must comply with a set of essential common requirements relating to quality control and audits. These are set out in a number of circulars that, along with the guidelines are published on my Department’s website.
The NGSG was established within my Department to oversee and coordinate all guidelines and standards (including accessibility, cycling and other Active Travel projects) which have been developed by TII, the NTA and Department of Transport. This group comprises of members from each of these bodies as well as the City and County Management Association (CCMA). It also covers the areas of quality control, training and implementation monitoring. Progress to date includes:
• Circulars setting out a framework for guidelines and standards, as well as improved quality control measures;
• Co-ordination of Guidelines and Standards between the my Department and agencies;
• Updates to DMURS Guidelines and supporting training on these guidelines, including online workshops and graduate programmes.
In support of the quality of infrastructure, there is much work underway in terms of core standards to support this. All new road or Active Travel infrastructure funded by the Department must be designed in compliance with approved guidelines and standards set out.
Bus Services
Questions (63)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:63. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport what plans he has to resolve the ongoing problems with the 59 bus route and many other Go Ahead routes; his views on whether it is now time to reabsorb these routes back into the Dublin Bus network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43119/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Question No. 64 answered with Question No. 14.
Rail Network
Questions (65)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:65. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase capacity on Irish trains. [42632/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, I have been advised by Iarnród Éireann that its operational fleet is fully deployed on scheduled services at present, in line with prevailing demand. The current capacity is primarily based on pre-COVID demand levels, when rapid growth in demand resulted in the utilisation of 100% of the operational fleet at peak times.
However, it is the case that additional and/or cascaded fleet will become available over the course of the next 18 months and the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann are considering options for their deployment on the network.
The deployment of new carriages is a matter in the first instance for Iarnród Éireann in consultation with the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has statutory responsibility for the development and delivery of certain public transport infrastructure, including the purchase of rolling stock.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to Iarnród Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Road Safety
Questions (66)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:66. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if there is a safety programme for the N80, given that numerous incidents have occurred on the road, including a fatal collision. [43011/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Road Projects
Questions (67)
Colm Burke
Question:67. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to progress the Mallow relief road project; what level of funding will be allocated for the coming year, in view that €100,000 was allocated in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43080/23]
View answerWritten answers
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. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.
I can confirm that €100,000 has been allocated for the Mallow Relief Road project in 2023. 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 reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Road Projects
Questions (68)
David Stanton
Question:68. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Transport the progress, if any, to upgrade the N25 between Carrigtwohill and Youghal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43069/23]
View answerWritten answers
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. 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.
Public Transport
Questions (69)
Catherine Connolly
Question:69. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 25 July 2023, for a status update on the feasibility study on light rail in Galway; the expected timeline for the public consultation on the draft Galway metropolitan area transport strategy; the expected timeline for the completed updated strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42977/23]
View answerWritten answers
The National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Galway City Council and Galway County Council, is currently in the process of developing the Galway Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (GMATS). As part of the development of GMATS, a feasibility study on light rail in Galway is being conducted. This strategy, once complete, will replace the current Galway Transport Strategy.
Given the NTA's role in the review of the strategy, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for updated information in relation to when the NTA expects the feasibility study on light rail in Galway to be complete and when the public consultation on the draft GMATS is expected to begin. Please contact my office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Traffic Management
Questions (70)
Bernard Durkan
Question:70. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent, if any, to which the best possible traffic management can be brought into play to effectively manage traffic congestion on some workdays where there is an obvious need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43076/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport I have no role in the day-to-day management of traffic. While the Road Traffic Acts 1961 to 2023 set out the statutory basis for the regulation of road traffic, including the provision of road traffic signs and the setting of speed limits, traffic management is a function of the individual local authorities.
Rail Network
Questions (71)
Alan Dillon
Question:71. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Transport for an update on Intercity rail services between Westport and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43083/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 specific details concerning Intercity rail services between Westport and Dublin 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Traffic Management
Questions (72)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:72. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if he has undertaken any study to determine if car use on roads has been increasing or decreasing since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42633/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 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.
With regard to regional and local roads, the monitoring of traffic levels is a matter for the local authorities concerned.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Driver Test
Questions (73)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:73. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport what measures are being put in place to increase driving test capacity to address the long delays experienced by learner drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43144/23]
View answerWritten answers
The driver testing service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which has increased by 28% compared with 2021 figures. In response to these pressures, earlier this year the Authority reviewed the capacity of the driver testing 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. Recruitment is underway and being managed by the Authority. I have been advised that the first tranche of new recruits were deployed in September, coinciding with a small reduction in average wait times. The additional driver testers are being allocated across the driver testing service with a focus on the geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.It is expected that once the full complement of additional driver testers are trained and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will decline and the agreed service level of average wait times of 10 weeks or less will resume by the middle of 2024.
Electric Vehicles
Questions (74)
Duncan Smith
Question:74. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport for a statement on what plans there are to increase the number of public charging points for electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42896/23]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 accelerates 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.
Destination Charging is a strong priority for ZEVI in 2023. In addition to a general scheme, a number of bespoke schemes are also in advanced stages of development and delivery, including:
A shared Island funded Sports Club scheme, which will install up to 200 fast chargers
An EU Just transition Fund supported scheme, which is planned to install 60-80 chargers
These circa 300 sites, in addition to those under other destination schemes currently planned will be delivered in 2024 and 2025.
I launched The National En-Route EV Charging Network Plan last month. This is the first element of the National EV Charging Network Plan which, will cover all publicly accessible EV charging in the country.
The National En-Route EV Charging Network Plan and associated initiatives will drive the delivery of charging infrastructure on the National Road Network. The Plan sets out ambitious targets for the level and coverage needed for En-Route charging on our national roads network. We are already seeing significant increased capacity of EV charging on our national roads, and this plan provides additional reassurance and certainty for EV drivers and those thinking of making the switch to EVs that they will be able to find high powered, fast and convenient EV charge-points where and when they need them.
The Plan sets out a provision of EV charging that will be ahead of demand and meet European requirements for charging electric cars, LGVs and HGVs by 2025 and 2030. The implementation of this Plan through enhanced grid connections, funding interventions and enabling measures will remove barriers and accelerate the delivery of high-powered EV charging.
Additionally, ZEVI has been engaging extensively with Local Authorities to develop their EV Infrastructure Strategies for Destination and Residential neighbourhood chargers. Local Authorities as part of their strategy development and implementation planning will identify locations and optimum sites where these types of chargers are required. ZEVI is currently engaging with Local Authorities and looking at potential direct multi annual funding options for Local Authorities to install both Destination and Local neighbourhood Charging Projects. It is anticipated that Phase 1 projects will commence roll out in 2024.
Road Network
Questions (75)
Brendan Smith
Question:75. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided to Cavan and Monaghan local authorities for the non-national roadworks programme, taking into account the importance of this particular road network for both counties and the substantial increase in costs for road maintenance and construction over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43114/23]
View answerWritten answers
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.
In February this year I announced an Exchequer investment of €626 million in our regional and local roads across the State which includes an increase in funding of €20 million for road pavement and rehabilitation works.
Within the budget available for the regional and local road grant programme, the objective is to allocate funding to eligible local authorities on as equitable a basis as possible taking the length of the road network into account. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network.
In recognition of the fact that cost inflation is having a significant impact on the cost of delivering regional and local road annual programmes, local authorities were notified in July of a supplementary allocation of €22.5 million for their key road strengthening programmes. Cavan County Council has been allocated €687,572 and Monaghan County Council has been allocated €579,991 under the supplementary allocation.
It should be noted that Exchequer funding for regional and local roads is intended to supplement realistic contributions from local authorities’ own resources. As the statutory road authorities for their areas, it is open to local authorities to prioritise investment on regional and local roads.
Bus Services
Questions (76)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:76. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the efforts he is making to improve the 103, 103X, 105 and 105X bus services in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42982/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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 securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The issue raised in relation to the 103, 103X, 105 and 105X bus services in County Meath are matters for the NTA in conjunction with Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Electric Vehicles
Questions (77)
Brian Leddin
Question:77. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if consideration will be given to providing targeted grants for electric vehicles for workers in the home care sector in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43173/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has committed significant funding to support zero and 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, the Shared Island Fund and the EU Just Transition Fund.
€110m has been allocated in 2023 to ensure the continued transition to electric vehicles which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. This underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.
Current financial supports from ZEVI, and where applicable with support from the Department of Finance, for the transition to electric vehicles and for the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure include:
• A purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs);
• A Home Charger purchase grant scheme - up to €600;
• VRT relief of up to €5,000 for the purchase of BEVs;
• Benefit-in-Kind tax relief for battery electric vehicles;
• eSPSV grant scheme – a grant for taxi drivers to make the switch to an EV;
• AFHDV grant scheme – a grant for HDVs to bridge the gap between a low emission vehicle and a fossil fuel vehicle;
• Low rate of annual motor tax; and
• Tolling reductions of 50% for battery electric vehicles and 25% for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
These and related infrastructure supports 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.
Anyone considering purchasing an electric vehicle can apply for the above listed grants and incentives provided that the criteria are met. There are currently no plans to create a dedicated grant for persons in the home care sector.
Questions Nos. 78 to 80, inclusive, answered orally.