Written Answers Nos. 50-70
50. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the full complement of buildings and lands owned by his Department, or by agencies under the aegis of his Department in County Clare; if they are currently in use, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44153/23]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Property |
Status |
|
Knockalisheen Camp |
In use |
|
RDF Premises, Ennis |
In use |
51. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if arrangements are in place for high-ranking staff of State bodies under his remit to receive free cars or benefit-in-kind reliefs in relation to cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43404/23]
View answerThe Department of Transport has 18 agencies in total, 12 commercial and 6 non-commercial which have either a CEO or Commissioner running the organisation.
All CEO/Commissioner contracts under the aegis of my Department have terms and conditions based on sanction received from the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. No CEO receives a free car; as part of their contract some CEOs may have the use of a company car and I expect that all CEOs appointed by me discharge their taxation requirements in keeping with the Office of the Revenue Commissioner standards.
Terms and conditions of employment in relation to other senior staff of the State bodies under my remit are the responsibility of the bodies and I have referred your question to them for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
52. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide any further details with regard to the projected dates of removal of the Hebble Dredge from the River Boyne in Drogheda; the details in relation to the application and certification that is required prior to release; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43467/23]
View answerThe Department of Transport's Marine Survey Office is proceeding in accordance with its established procedures and is waiting for the owner of the M/V Hebble Sand to progress their application for the required "Load Line" survey. The ship is located in the Port of Drogheda. Ownership of this port company was transferred to Louth County Council in 2017 and oversight of the company rests with the county council. It is therefore advised that any queries regarding the projected dates of removal of the ship from the Port of Drogheda be directed to Louth County Council, or to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as the parent Department for the council.
53. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will detail the policy rationale for charging different motor tax rates between private vehicles registered from 1 July 2008 and 31 December 2020 and vehicles registered after 1 January 2021, in circumstances where they have the same emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43472/23]
View answerMotor tax rates for private cars based on CO2 emissions were first introduced for cars registered from 2008 onwards. Cars registered prior to that date continue to be taxed based on engine capacity.
New vehicles registered up to and including 31 December 2020 pay both VRT and motor tax based on vehicle emissions measured using the system available at that time, known as the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) system.
A new more stringent and more realistic system of measuring emissions has since been developed, known as the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), which has been the mandatory measurement system for all new cars on the EU market in recent years.
New tax bands for both VRT and motor tax were introduced in Budget 2021 based on the new WLTP emissions for all new private cars registered from 1 January 2021 onwards.
The NEDC and WLTP emissions for the same vehicle are different figures. On average a vehicle's WLTP emissions are about 20% higher per KM than NEDC emissions , because WLTP is a more stringent system.
This is the reason why the pre- and post-2021 motor tax bands apply different motor tax rates for the emission figures under the two different measurement systems used.
54. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Transport if the stakeholder engagement relating to horse-drawn carriages has been satisfactorily completed; and when he plans to bring forward legislation to allow local authorities to regulate horse-drawn carriages for hire or reward, the associated insurance, registration, horse welfare and other related issues. [43545/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is already aware, the development of legislation of this nature, which involves the repeal of legislation which pre-dates the foundation of the State, is complex and technical and so I am unable to provide a definitive timeline for the completion of this work. This issue spans the responsibilities of several Departments and levels of government.
Regulations for horse-drawn carriages for hire or reward should be aligned with any horse welfare obligations imposed by local authorities and, therefore, horse-drawn carriages for hire and reward should be regulated by local authorities, which is the intention of the current draft primary legislation. Once the current process of stakeholder engagement has been satisfactorily completed, I will seek Government approval for the detailed drafting of a Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill. This is required before it can be introduced to the Oireachtas with a view to its eventual enactment.
55. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the date for the next round of BusConnects Cork consultation will open. [43617/23]
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 Cork.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects Cork.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputys' questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
56. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost in 2024 if the budget for the National Transport Authority Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan increased by 50%. [43643/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the allocation for the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan in 2023 is €8.35 million.
This is the confirmed allocation for this year, and any percentage increases over whatever timeframe, using whatever basis, may be calculated from it. However, I would caution that whatever calculations the Deputy might use, such figures would only be speculative. Future funding levels are subject to the annual Estimate and Budgetary processes.
57. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Transport when a bridge connecting Chapelizod to the C-Spine services will be built; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43664/23]
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 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 Deputys' questions to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
58. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if Irish Rail owns properties or sites which are vacant or derelict; if so, the number and addresses of such properties; if they are recorded on the vacancy or dereliction registers; and the reason for which they are vacant or derelict, in tabular form. [43667/23]
View answer76. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport whether he has plans to install recycling bins on trains. [44110/23]
View answer77. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport whether the food carriage on trains will reopen or whether this could be converted to a passenger carriage. [44111/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 76 and 77 together.
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 questions raised are an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's questions to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
59. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if the NTA owns properties or sites which are vacant or derelict; if so, the number and addresses of such properties; if they are recorded on the vacancy or dereliction registers; and the reason for which they are vacant or derelict, in tabular form. [43668/23]
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 raised would be a matter for the NTA to respond to. Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to NTA properties/sites to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
60. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport if the Road Safety Authority owns properties or sites which are vacant or derelict; if so, the number and addresses of such properties; if they are recorded on the vacancy or dereliction registers; and the reason for which they are vacant or derelict, in tabular form. [43669/23]
View answerThe specific information requested is held by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
61. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify the situation regarding the requirement for a valid IBT certificate for motorcyclists and whether it is possible to drive legally with a renewed learner permit for a motorcycle though the IBT certificate has expired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43767/23]
View answerInitial Basic Training (IBT) is a training course for learner motorcycle riders. It gives new riders strong training foundations on which they can build their knowledge and skills. It’s a 16–18 hour training course broken down into separate modules covering a mixture of theory and practical riding skills.
On completion of the IBT, a certificate of satisfactory completion is issued. The certificate of satisfactory completion ceases to be valid after two years from the date of issue. Within the valid period, the holder can apply for a driving test for the relevant licence category. Any subsequent such application must be accompanied by a valid certificate. After the expiry of the certificate, a rider must successfully complete additional IBT in order to obtain a further certificate.
When riding on a public road or in a public place, the holder of a learner permit must carry their certificate with them, as they may be asked to produce one or both by a member of An Garda Síochána or the driver tester on the day of their practical driving test.
62. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Transport the consultation that took place with residents when deciding to remove two bus stops (details supplied) on the North Strand Road, Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43772/23]
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 stops and bus shelters.
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.
63. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Transport if he will expedite a driving test for a motorcyclist (details supplied) given that their two-year IBT certificate will expire in December 2023 and yet he cannot secure a test for a motorcycle for the next six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43773/23]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Consequently, information on applicants is held by the RSA and neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases.
64. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43778/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to 'open' public transport services including in rural areas.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for developing an accessible, integrated and sustainable public transport network.
I 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), my Department and its agencies, including the NTA, are working to progressively make public transport accessible for all, including in rural areas.
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.
In addition, one of the key plans for enhancing the existing transport network across Ireland is under my Department and the NTA's Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which aims to develop an integrated, accessible, and sustainable network of public transport offerings across Ireland. Phase 1 was rolled out during 2022 with 38 new and enhanced services nationwide with 67 services planned for 2023.
However, as I advised the Deputy in my reply to Question (PQRef:40821/23, Dáil Question no. 133) on 21 September 2023, my remit, and that of the NTA, relates to public transport services which are ‘open’ to all. Funding for individualised ‘closed’ transport and mobility services, for example dedicated disability transport services provided by the Group referred to by the Deputy, are outside of my public transport remit.
65. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport how many private jet flights landed and departed the State in 2022, excluding military or diplomatic flights; where those flights landed and departed from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43786/23]
View answerIn answering the Deputy’s question, it is important to note that 'private jets' are not specifically defined in national, European or international law. The nature of ownership does not arise as a specific categorisation and therefore data is not collected specifically in relation to ‘private jets’.
Data in relation to flight types are categorised based on the EUROCONTROL Market Segment Rules 2022 which classifies flights into the following categories: Military, Business Aviation, All Cargo, Low-Cost, Regional, Mainline, Charter, and other. This classification is based on a set of rules that use a mixture of operator, aircraft type and route information to determine the corresponding category.
Within such a classification the 'Business Aviation' segment includes all Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) movements matching specific aircraft types listed within the business aviation rules. As such this would incorporate private jet flights alongside business/executive jet flights.
Data received from Air Nav Ireland, drawn from all flight plan information, broadly mirrors the EUROCONTROL data, but also includes additional movements conducted under Visual Flight rules. This captures smaller aircraft flying by sight.
Data received from AirNav Ireland identifies 8,278 such 'business aviation' departures and 8,437 arrivals for the 2022 period.
The data in relation to where such flights departed to and arrived from is not available in the format requested. However my officials will arrange to supply the Deputy with the raw data for his own further analysis.
66. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Transport if he will outline the recent changes to regulations for electric bikes and electric scooters in the Road Traffic and Roads Act, 2023; if he will provide a summary of the key amendments and updates made to the regulations concerning electric bikes and electric scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43813/23]
View answer69. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the implementation of legislation with regard to e-scooters and e-bikes; what safety measures he is considering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43883/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 69 together.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 was signed into law on 23 June. The Act creates a new vehicle category called powered personal transporters (PPTs), which includes e-scooters and future micro-mobility devices as needed. Unlike mechanically propelled vehicles such as cars, trucks and buses, PPTs do not require registration, tax or motor insurance. PPT users do not require a licence and, accordingly, driver testing is not required.
My Department is preparing regulations for e-scooters, which will set out the rules for their safe use in public places and the technical requirements and safety standards they must meet for legal use on Irish roads. E-scooters will remain illegal to use in public places and on public roads until these regulations are in place, and An Garda Síochána may seize them.
Amongst other requirements, the proposed regulations will set down that e-scooters intended for use on public roads must:
• have a maximum continuous rated power output of 400 W or less
• have a maximum net weight of 25 kg (including batteries)
• have a maximum design speed of 20 km/h or less
• have wheels with a minimum diameter of 200mm
• be fitted with front and rear lights and reflectors, brakes and a bell
• be fitted with a manufacturer’s plate certifying the power output, weight and design speed.
E-scooters may only be used by those over the age of 16 and may not be used on footpaths or in pedestrianised areas. A speed limit of 20 km/h will apply.
E-bikes are not PPTs and as such will be subject to different regulations. The Road Traffic and Roads Act makes a distinction between low-powered e-bikes and higher-powered models, which will now be known as e-mopeds.
E-bikes with:
• A maximum power output of 250W,
• a motor cut-off speed of 25km/hr and
• a requirement for pedalling
will continue to be treated as bicycles under Irish law and there will be no change to the legal status of these pedal assist e-bikes with the following characteristics:
• People who own, or are considering buying, an e-bike below these thresholds can continue to use them on public roads and in cycle and bus lanes. They will not need to register, tax or insure their e-bikes or hold a driver’s licence.
• E-bikes, like bicycles, are not permitted to use footpaths or motorways.
67. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if information will be provided in relation to a series of matters regarding busses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43837/23]
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 planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including procurement of the national bus fleet.
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.
68. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport whether the Northern Distributor Road in Cork will reduce traffic on the R635. [43881/23]
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 in our cities, including the review of the Strategic Assessment Report in respect of this project.
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.
70. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Transport the number of drivers currently on a provisional licence, per county, in tabular form; the average number of years a person has provisional licence status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43895/23]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.
